Holy Week: Monday: Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus

A man's feet, a woman's hands and hair, the wetness of expensive perfume. What's that all about? What's going on?This photo illustrates the following story from John's Gospel:

"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 him 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." " John 12: 1 - 11

Last year I posted 'What is Love Like?' as a reflection on this story. I've re-visted that today and here's my latest version of that reflection.

The 5 Senses of Love: A Holy Week Reflection

(Adapted from earlier posts.)

What does love look like?

Love looks shocking

when it breaks rules

as when Mary of Bethany

rubbed perfume on a rabbi's feet

and dried them with her hair

- in public.

Love looks shocking

when it wastes expensive perfume

that could be used for something better.

Love looks shocking

when it gives,

extravagantly gives,

even to pouring out life itself

so others may live. 

What does love feel like?

Love feels hurtful

to those rejected,

excluded

from its embrace.

Love feels good

when received

like a baby

safe in its parents' care,

or like a lover

relaxing in the arms of the beloved.

Love feels good for Jesus

as Mary's perfume

refreshes his feet

and its fragrance fills the room.

What does love sound like?

Love sounds

to Judas like 300 coins,

a year's wages

spilling to the ground,

rolling away and lost,

- an extravagant waste.

Love sounds

to Jesus

like the sound of friends,

of tears and laughter,

of music

and companionable silence.

What does love taste like?

Love tastes bitter

to those hurt

by those who should have loved.

Love tastes sour

when corrupted

by abuse and exploitation.

Love tastes good

to Jesus,

like the best food and drink,

prepared with care,

beautifully served

and shared.

Love tastes of friendship,

in the house of Lazarus.

Love tastes of family

and belonging.

What does love smell like?

Love smells

of expensive perfume

filling the house,

permeating the nostrils

with joy

creating memories of intimacy,

and

for Jesus

evoking thoughts

of his coming death and burial.

If you would like to read another reflection on this story, I recommend 'Lavish Love' on RevRuth's Images of Lent website.

Image Credit: Free Bible Images