April 6
Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”
-Matthew 26:6-13
(Longer reading is Matt 26:1-13)
(please read through the passage 3 times using the practice of lectio divina)
Reflection
In the chapter before this one, Jesus tells a parable which depicts himself as a stranger who is hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and imprisoned. In the upcoming week, he will be called a stranger by his closest friends, he will be detained by the authorities, he will be sick with grief in the garden, he will be naked and thirsty on the cross.
In this passage, as usual, Jesus is hanging out with the lowly. He accepts the hospitality of a leper, who would have been considered ritually unclean. A woman not even named in Matthew senses the work of God and prophetically “welcomes” this man who is soon to become the naked, detained, thirsty stranger. God moves in her to fulfill the promise of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is “blessed” even as he embarks on the lowly road to the cross.
Action (Contemplate)
As Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, following Christ means self-denial and taking up a cross. What has that looked like in your life? Even though there is a cost in living the way of Jesus, God often blesses us as we make the journey. Make a list of five ways God has blessed you. Were any of these blessings unexpected or from unlikely people? Spend some time thanking God for the blessings.
As the Ruin Falls by C.S. Lewis (continue)
“SOME NEW BEATITUDES: Blessed are those with COVID-19, for they are the focus of all our prayers. Blessed are their families, for they carry a heavy burden. Blessed are the doctors who treat them, for they are making critical decisions. Blessed are the nurses, for they have enormous courage. Blessed are the hospital staff, for they work around the clock. Blessed are the medical researchers, for they shall find a vaccine. Blessed are the delivery drivers, for they are heroes of this struggle. Blessed are the supply chain workers, for they keep our nation alive. Blessed are those who have lost their jobs, for they are paying a terrible price. Blessed are people from the Asian community, for they face persecution.”–Steven Charleston