Lent Five - Opening our Hearts and Minds

As Jesus gets closer to Jerusalem there is an increasing sense of destiny and urgency whirling around the Teacher and his disciples. And then in the gospel story of Mary anointing Jesus with nard there is this still point in which we are invited into the heart of the journey. (John 12:1-8.) Kneeling at his feet our hearts and minds are opened to the gift and the task of loving the Beloved and becoming part of the great work of love.

I do suggest that you read my work from three years ago as a broad brushstroke reflection on the texts.

This year we have been following the readings set for Lent as both being about Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem and the cross and as being about the journey for us as soul companions of Jesus and followers on the way.

This is a dramatic moment, or a hinge in the story, between Jesus being busy teaching and healing those he meets – with a mounting tension with authorities in the background – and his entrance into his last days. And the moment, the hinge, is this moment between Mary and Jesus.

There is so much happening in this moment and at so many levels. And nothing is unimportant or incidental. So, as we slow down and enter more fully into the moment let us consider ourselves as both witnesses and participants. Let us identify all the aspects of the story as aspects of our selves.

Firstly, the cast of characters: Jesus, Lazarus, Martha, Mary, Judas, and the other disciples. Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem and destiny, stays with his friends in a place familiar and relatively safe, where his welcome is assured. Lazarus, raised from the dead by Jesus knows who Jesus is and is a portend of the death and resurrection to come. Martha serves them, and here there is no criticism (as in the Lukan story) for Jesus will soon challenge his disciples to serve as he serves. And Mary, who once sat at his feet to listen to his teachings, now bends at his feet to lavish him with love and prepare him for what no one else will acknowledge – his coming death. Judas is alarmed and critical and is cast as having ulterior motives. The rest of the disciples think Mary too extravagant and don’t want to think about death. And the ointment/nard/myrrh is associated with anointing kings and preparing the bodies of the dead for burial. Every detail is important and filled with meaning. Every detail is scandalous – disturbing and radical.

For Jesus, he is being prepared in body and spirit for what lies ahead. As a teacher Jesus is teaching with every word and action and with the graciousness and gratitude with which he receives the gift of friendship and intimacy.

And what are we to take from this for our journey? Mary in many ways is our role model for what is required on the later stages of the journey. We may also identify with Martha who models service and the other disciples who are so distracted by various concerns that they “miss the moment” and what is most needed. As we slow down and enter fully into this moment, we might notice that Mary perceives what is happening – now and in the near future – and truly sees the enormity, heart breaking pain, and unstoppable death that is coming – and she responds with corresponding generosity, presence and courageous companionship. Mary could have focused on her own loss and fear and begged Jesus to take a different route and not die yet! But Mary responds with the generosity of costly nard and love; she responds with the courage to act against the atmosphere of denial and avoidance and in doing so makes herself vulnerable to the criticism and misunderstanding that did come her way; and she practiced the courage to be fully present to her friend and teacher’s pain and fear and to give him what she could – not to rescue but to companion him on that journey. What a gift that is when someone comes and sits with you in the hard times. What a gift it is when someone sits beside you and offers not advise but companionship. What a gift it is when someone reminds you of the gifts you already possess and tells you that you are fit for the task. And what a deep and difficult gift it can be to give to another in this way.

And Mary is not simply just being present she understands what is needed to prepare and support Jesus through this experience – anointing him as holy one and as dying one. Mary offers, in ritual and personal touch, what acknowledges, honours and strengthens his nature and purpose. For any of us who have found ourselves through our vocation, or family and friendship relationships, needing to enter the sacred space of helpless love we know how difficult and holy this place can be.

And in tending to the needs of Jesus in the presence of the other disciples Mary challenges and enables them to become more aware and prepared for what is coming. Whenever we practice humble service and vulnerable loving presence, we turn the lights on for someone else, or at least disturb their dualistic right or wrong approach to issues and relationships.

And in tending to Jesus whole heartedly maybe Mary also did what was best for her as well. In the face of impending death and separation she took the moment to do what she could and in tenderly anointing Jesus she may also have anointed her own heart and ignited the flame that would burn beyond this moment. Sorrow and absence but no regrets when you have loved well. No remorse at having betrayed him, as Judas will experience; no shame and grief at having denied him, as Peter will; and no sense of missing the moment, as will many of the other disciples.

And maybe, just maybe, the tender ministrations of Martha and Mary gave Jesus the words, actions, symbols he needed just days later in his last night of fellowship and teaching with the disciples – the night of teaching about being among us as a servant and the action of foot washing.

Even so, come Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be as tender and courageous as Mary as kneel at your feet and the feet of our neighbours. And let us give thanks when others tend to us.

This is my work informed by everything I have heard, read and experienced. I am indebted to the wisdom of others. This week I am particularly grateful to:

John T Squires @ An Informed Faith “Jesus, anointed as a sign of his fete (John 12; Lent 5C)” www.johntsquires.com

Rev Dr Margaret Wesley “Holy Week Holy Women – On the way to the cross”

Faith of Our Mothers @ Substack

Robb McCoy & Eric C Fistler @ https://www.pulpitfiction.com