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Gratitude, grace and betrayal

Tuesday March 27 2018

Continuing our Holy Week reflections, the Very Rev Albert Bogle considers the story of Mary anointing Jesus' feet

In John 12 1-11, the writers of the Gospel weave a thread of tension through a beautiful story of caring friendship.

Jesus is in the home of his close friends Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus, whom he has just recently raised from the dead.

This action has meant that, while Lazarus has become a bit of a celebrity, along with Jesus, he is also now seen as a dangerous person. To put it in a modern context, the paparazzi are hanging around outside looking for a story.

Inside, Mary is churning up. Her heart goes out to Jesus, knowing all that he is facing. She is full of gratitude for a brother restored, but fearful for what her friend will shortly endure.

So now she breaks open a box of expensive perfume and anoints the feet of Jesus, wiping his feet with her hair.

Not only is the air filled with the aroma of the perfume, but you can feel the agitated tone in the voice of Judas as he questions the morality of what he is seeing.

No one answers, except Jesus. He defends Mary, he accepts graciously the gift poured out over his feet, even if he feels a little bit awkward.

Jesus makes room in his moral teaching for those who from time to time wish to express their gratitude to another, even if it might be misconstrued as wasteful. As for Judas, he speaks up for the poor only to make himself 30 pieces of silver richer by betraying his friend.

Take a moment and ask yourself when was the last time you made an extravagant gesture out of love expecting nothing in return?

Lord Jesus
Forgive my selfish heart
Forgive my deaf ears
I should have paid attention
To your hurt
Your betrayal
Your broken heart
Lord Jesus 
Change my selfish heart
That I might listen
To the voices
Of those 
Who feel betrayed 
Hurt 
Rejected
And ignored
To become a friend
Like Mary


The Very Rev Albert Bogle is minister of the online worshipping community Sanctuary First

The Sum of All Five Senses: a meditation for Monday of Holy Week

Next: A Bitter Blow