John 12: 2-8

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 them 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.”

Reflection

‘And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume’

The different fragrances are a reminder of our offering of love and worship. Perhaps you could take some perfumed lotion and rub it onto your hands as you reflect on this story.

Ask yourself - How can I, in my situation and within my own personality, be like this woman? Her life had been so deeply touched by Jesus that she wanted to do something precious for him. Is that true for me?

‘She has done what she could.’

What could you bring as an offering of love, gratitude and worship? Hold it in your mind and mark it in some way by writing it down or by lighting a candle and placing it somewhere significant.