Sometimes as we pray with the Scriptures, we place ourselves in the story and participate in its unfolding freshly within us.
I, Kim, was drawn into this story with Jesus as he experienced the love of Mary, extravagantly and lavishly poured out on him.
So I wrote this poem…
A lavish, willing offering…
extravagance prompted by love and desire
sensory delight
musky, woodsy, mossy notes –
undeniably pungent
a presence which cannot be ignored
a powerful elicitor of response
of each one in the vicinity
the scent – on his feet and in her hair
how long did it tarry with them?
a shared knowing of the moment at hand?
did he take his hand over the oil and wipe his beard?
and did the fragrance linger through his remaining days?
was it there with him in the garden, in the courtrooms,
in the flogging, on that grueling walk to Calvary?
might the scent remained with him as he hung there,
feeling so abandoned?
who knows?
fragrance tarries
and leaves a trace of presence
however it stayed with you, Jesus,
I am deeply grateful that someone, this one,
poured love on you –
extravagantly,
undeniably,
prophetically
You, Perfect Love,
are worthy of all our love
John 12:1-8 NRSV
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
