Reflection for Tuesday 23 March 2021

EXPENSIVE OIL

Reading : Matthew 26:6-13

“Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper; a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table.”

In church life Trustee meetings will discuss at length how the finances of the congregation should be managed or spent.

Those involved in up keep of property will often clash with those whose heart is for mission or pastoral care. And i have been present at times when the discussions became very heated, as each group fought for “their” share of church funds.

Then there are those who don’t want to spend any money, preferring to keep it safe in the bank for a “rainy day”.

The Bible reading in Matthew’s gospel poses a few questions for us today.

Jesus, whose heart is ever for the poor, the vulnerable, the hungry, praises the woman for pouring out this expensive oil, anointing hi, he tells his disciples, for his impending death.

Jesus recognises that this woman recognises the situation he finds himself in. She seemed to understand Jesus mission. And she knew to give up her most precious possession and lavish it on Jesus before the opportunity to express her love for him had passed.

The heart of this story is both simple and complicated. It begs the question, “How do we unashamedly, publicly, copiously show our love to Jesus?

How do we offer our best to him out of our gratitude and joy? How do we hold nothing is reserve for the sake of our Saviour?

We do not know this woman’s name, and yet she is remembered, will we I wonder?..................

POINTS TO PONDER

HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT IS FAITHFUL TO SPEND MONEY ON AND WHAT IS NOT? HOW DID YOU DISCERN THE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS?

WHEN HAVE YOU ANOINTED JEASUS WITH EXPENSIVE OIL, LAVISHLY GIVING YOUR VERY BEST OUT OF LOVE FOR HIM?

WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING BACK FROM JESUS?

PRAYER

Jesus, you remember. You remember us.

You honour what we offer in love, be it expensive oil or a heartfelt lament.

When we come to you unashamed and pour ourselves out in love or fear or doubt or praise, you welcome us.

You know us. You remember us.

When we feel as if we have nothing to give, you embrace us and tell us we are enough.

You remember us when we forget you.

Thanks be to God,

Amen.