Anointed

 

Philippians 3:4b-14; John 12:1-8

Last fall, I listened to a study by author and mystic Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, speaking about Mary Magdalene. It is her belief that all the Marys in the Bible are the same woman, Mary Magdalene. I disagree. I like the idea of several women with that name among Jesus’ followers.

But I do agree with one thing she said: that this anointing is really the beginning of Holy Week. Today, we are reading John’s version of Jesus’ story, instead of Luke’s. The next story in John is the entrance into Jerusalem, what we call Palm Sunday.

The location is the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, where Jesus often stayed. Jesus has just brought Lazarus back to life after 3 days in the tomb. They, along with the Twelve, are more aware than others of the stress Jesus has faced on this journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. They have heard, more often than others, the plan for him to be arrested, tortured, and executed. Perhaps they trust the rest of his words, “and be raised from death on the third day.”

As she sat at Jesus’ feet listening, Mary would have noticed how tired his feet were, how abused they were by hundreds of miles of wandering for the last three years. It makes sense that Jesus’ good friend Mary would kneel on the floor to anoint Jesus’ feet. Often, she has sat at his feet learning from him; now she is caring for them. Soon, Jesus will be washing the feet of the dinner guests before he heads off to be arrested.

Of course, the other guests notice. How could they not notice! The fragrance of the nard fills the whole room. Judas objects to the waste of a precious, valuable resource. ‘It could have been sold to feed for the poor,’ Judas points out.

But, Jesus appreciates the love that Mary shows, and he gives her gentle care a deeper meaning. ‘Leave her alone. You see, she has anointed me for my burial.’  

… This thought led me to consider, when have we been anointed? 

We were anointed at our baptism with the sign of the cross, and either some oil or water. We have been washed in water, cleansed of our sins, claimed as God’s children, filled with the Holy Spirit, and anointed for the ministry of following Jesus.

The anointing cross on our foreheads is invisible, but it’s still there. The promises we made to follow in Jesus’ way are still there: worship, learn, invite others to know Jesus. Like Paul, we follow imperfectly but steadfastly.

… And, there is another answer to the question, ‘When have we been anointed?’ At Gloria Dei, we offer the rite of anointing for healing monthly. We come to receive the promise that Jesus heals us, not always in body, but in our broken hearts. When our brokenness is healed, even a bit, we can more easily follow the One who heals us.

We can try, like Paul, to seek a relationship with Jesus that remembers he gave his life for us. We may not be required to suffer or die in Jesus’ name for what we believe in. But we are anointed in his name to give whatever we can as we seek to follow wherever he leads us.

… So, a story. Ruth had come to Saron after she retired, and was looking for something to fill her life, now that she had time to spare. She heard about the way members cared for each other and were concerned about caring for the poor. Ruth began to volunteer at the church; she read the lessons, she served communion, she helped fold bulletins, she served on council. She realized that she had been anointed for a purpose.

Saron is one of a coalition of congregations and organizations that provides lunch every day at the Soup Kitchen in downtown Benton Harbor. The congregation’s day is the fourth Thursday, every month. One day Ruth volunteered to help serve, and she was hooked. She had found her place. Soon, she was Saron’s representative for the Soup Kitchen, and became the assistant to the director of the kitchen. She spent 20 years at the Soup Kitchen and loved all the folks who came to enjoy a free meal. They all called her ‘Mother Ruth.’  

… Mary anointed Jesus as a simple blessing for sore feet, but it turned out to mean much more to Jesus.  Notice how, in this picture, his hand rests on her, blessing her, while she pours out her love to him.

Her loving gift reminds us that Jesus takes our simple gifts and gives them extra meaning. Our own anointing, of baptism, of healing, of experiences, of encounters with God’s people, all make us more of who God calls us to be.

This week, I hope you will consider how your baptismal anointing has made a difference in your life, or how you have been called to follow Jesus because of it. As usual, I would love to hear the stories you have to tell. Amen