Fragrant Anointing
One prominent story in Mark’s passion narrative is the anointing of Jesus’ head with an expensive, fragrant oil. Jesus is so moved by the woman’s act of reverence and love that he pronounces ‘she has done what she could … wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her’.
The woman is not named in St Mark’s Gospel but is named in both Matthew and John Gospels as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The same Mary of Luke 10: 38-42, when Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha, and Mary sits at Jesus' feet listening to his teaching while Martha is busy with household tasks. Then he said of Mary - ‘she has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her’.
I believe Mary’s two acts of reverence are symbols of sacrificial love and profound devotion. It reflects the idea of giving one's best to honor and worship Jesus. They are lessons of generosity and hospitality. Her behaviour challenges us to be generous in our devotion to Jesus and in our care for others, even if it requires sacrifice.
The intimate and personal nature of Mary’s encounters with Jesus, emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deep and loving relationship with Christ through acts of devotion. To be a follower of Christ transcends mere adherence to practices and dogma; it is fundamentally about cultivating an intimate, personal relationship with Him.
And cultivating an intimate, personal relationship with Christ involves regular, heartfelt prayer, reflecting on the Word of God through reading, studying, and meditating on the Gospels and letters of the New Testament. We seek His presence in our daily lives through Christian Meditation, moments of silence and stillness when we listen to His voice deep within. Enabling us to understand His plan for our lives and to align our thoughts and actions with His will.
As we move closer to Jesus’ passion and death on the cross let us take an example from Mary and not preoccupy ourselves with houshold and business tasks but sit at His feet and pour a figurative fragrant oil over His head, ‘anoiting his body beforehand for its burial’.
Abba, through our Lord Jesus Christ, please give us the grace, silence and patience to cultivate an intimate, personal relationship with Him.