Lent Meditation Day 13
“Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on his feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3).
A Note from Ruth
These meditations are a reflection of my personal journey through Lent at a time when I was experiencing deep spiritual growth and learning what it means to grow in community as a student at the Academy for Formation and Mission. In part, I wrote them to process my own thoughts, but mainly to share those contemplations, because I felt they were meant to be experienced by others. My hope was to encourage others to go deep, to see God and Lent with a new perspective, and to self-reflect in a way that brings hope.
This story paints a beautiful image of worship. To sit at Jesus feet was an act of humility. To rub perfume on his feet was an act of trust. Mary was so moved by her love for Jesus as her teacher and her friend, that she took a chance. She spent a year’s wages to demonstrate her love and Jesus accepted her gift. Such an expression of love and worship brings deep peace to the soul.
Are there ever things that we want to give to Jesus in our worship? I often feel the call to offer to him my struggles as I kneel at the Eucharist, and my future, too. This is an act that costs me deeply, not my earnings, but my pride and my self-protection. I know I can trust Jesus to value the gift of myself.
I want to picture myself, like Mary, at the feet of Jesus, giving him all that I am and have. I want to smell the fragrance of my offering like sweet perfume. I want the scent of prayer to fill the church and linger, and follow me as I rise and go on my way.
Jesus loves it when we give ourselves to him, I think because he gave himself for us. Love is a two way street.