Seeds of Grace

Have you been in a situation where you wanted to thank someone who had been very influential in your life? They might have been there to support you when you were feeling alone and afraid. Or they helped you out financially and saved you from a pending disaster. Or they might have been a good friend, someone you could talk to and share your moments of excitement? Perhaps they were someone you trusted enough to share your deepest fears and struggles?

In all these situations – and others you may have experienced – did you ever wonder how you might express your appreciation to such a person?

We find a similar situation in one of the most lovely and loving stories in the Bible. It is the story of Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. The story is set in Jerusalem at the time of their annual passover when the city and the surrounding towns were crammed with people. They had all come to share in the yearly religious festival.

Jesus also returned to Jerusalem, which was a courageous choice for him, because the religious authorities wanted a way to silence Jesus. Jesus was aware that his days were numbered, but he also knew he would find a warm welcome at the home of Mary and Martha.

Mary and Martha were also aware of the risk Jesus took in returning to Jerusalem. So while Martha was in the kitchen preparing the meal, Mary, wishing to express her love and appreciation towards Jesus, took the most precious possession she owned – a small flask of pure Nard perfume – which she had kept safe for her wedding dowry. Breaking the seals, she anoints Jesus' feet with the whole flask of ointment, filling the house with its fragrance. She then begins to wipe Jesus' feet with her hair. It was not only an act of self-giving for Mary, it was also a profoundly relevant act, not only in Judaism, but also in other cultures of the ancient world, where a woman's hair served as a symbol of both power and identity, and was also associated with her self-worth and respect.

Perhaps we might find Mary's response curious – or even uncomfortable but in her way she was symbolically placing her life, her identity, and her self-worth at his feet; and in doing so she, in her own way, Mary prepares the path for Jesus final time in Jerusalem that ultimately led to his death.

Mary's love offering reminds me of that hymn composed by an 18^th century daughter of an English Vicar, Frances R. Havergal and whose words could well have been inspired by Mary's love and devotion towards Jesus: Some of the Lyrics include these words:

"Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee...

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love...

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold …

Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne...

Take my love; my Lord, I pour - at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be, ever, only, all for thee..."

While we may applaud Mary's action, it stands in direct contrast to Judas Iscariot's response, who was also sitting at the meal table. In total contrast to Mary's offering, Judas condemns the whole episode as a ludicrous waste of money! Judas had been given the task of looking after the Disciples' purse. If given the opportunity, he would have sold the expensive ointment (and stolen a proportion of the money for himself)!

The difference between Mary and Judas was their attitude of heart. Where Mary sought to respond with love and devotion, Judas' response came from self-centred greed... which reminds me of Penelope Wilcock's book: 'The Wilderness Within You' .

Penelope is a Methodist minister, counsellor and author. In her nine-volume 'Hawk & the Dove Series', she reflects on an occasion when she had attended a Quaker Meeting. And while she enjoyed the quietness and stillness of their way of meditation, she became quite irritated when someone misquoted a Bible verse. Then as the story unfolds, she recounts how, in her imagination, she sees Jesus walking in the park, and when she had caught up with him and she begins to complain about the Quaker service... (and to quote from her book)

And what annoyed me even more was that Jesus didn't seem too worried. He even says: “Does it matter?”

“But it's not right when people misquote scripture” Penelope stated. Jesus pauses, then replies: Life rooted in Scripture is strong and secure. But the important thing really is to live it – I mean, that's what it's for. The Scriptures weren't written to make people right; they're seeds of grace to make life beautiful”

The Scriptures weren't written to make people right – (which is what Judas thought he was doing); 'they're seeds of grace to make life beautiful' (which is what Mary's action at the meal).

And that's what Mary does in our Gospel story today. She takes the most precious thing in her life – and offers it to Jesus.

Mary knew that Jesus was worthy of her honour and service, so she gave Jesus the best that she had. It was her offering of admiration, her love, and her future.

But Judas acted differently. He wasn't kind; what he said wasn't loving; he was unwilling to give Mary the benefit of the doubt and thought her offering of love and devotion was wasteful and embarrassing.

Judas lacked Mary's openness of heart and clarity of vision – and her love for Jesus. And as we make our journey through the season of Lent towards the Cross, may we also take moments where we might be inspired by Mary's action, so that we too might become 'seeds of grace that make life beautiful for those we meet and share our lives'. Amen.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil