Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

John 12:1-8 (NRSV)

12 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 at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ 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.”

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Reflect

Lazarus and his sisters gave a dinner to Jesus – perhaps in thanksgiving. Martha did the serving. Mary, more engaging, wanted to honor him by anointing his feet with a precious ointment. Judas Iscariot thought that this was a waste of money. It would be better to give the price that it cost to the poor. He was practical but lacked a richer spiritual vision. He was concerned with having money, even by wrongful means.

Where Judas sees waste, Jesus sees love. The generosity of Mary appeared wasteful and misplaced. Mary knew that Jesus was worthy of her honor and service, even when it cost. She was not held back by the judgments of others.

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Pray

Lord, when I find myself critical of others, it may be my own warped vision that needs to be corrected. Help me to see what you want me to see. Amen.

Go with God!