"Mary Got It"

 

John 12:1-8   Philippians 3:4b-14

 

      The sequence of events in the life of Jesus in the Gospel of John in chapters 11 and 12 is not clear.  But many believe that our reading this morning took place after the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  In other words, it was a party, celebrating the fact that Lazarus, who was dead, was now alive.  Jesus was there.  While most people were overcome with joy, Mary was sensing that something wasn't just right.

 

      Mary got it.  She may not have understood all of the ramifications but she was able to put two and two together and get four.  She knew Jesus was going to die.  And she knew that somehow he was dying because of what Jesus had done for her brother Lazarus. In raising him from the dead he was in effect pronouncing his own death sentence.  While everyone else was celebrating the fact that Lazarus was alive, she realized that Jesus was about to die.  That is why she took a jar of costly ointment and anointed Jesus feet. 

 

      But this is not about Mary.  It is about Jesus.  I think the jar of nard symbolizes what Jesus does for us.  Like the sacraments of Baptism and Communion, Mary's action is the word made visible.  Mary takes this precious perfume and empties it on Jesus feet. If she had put it on his head, the message would have been that she was anointing a king.  But by putting it on his feet the message was this one is the servant of all. This is the one who is going to empty himself for us.

 

       Paul got it too.  But not at first.  When I was in the sixth grade I remember looking at my brother's high school yearbook.  Next to the pictures of the seniors there was a list of their activities and how many years they participated in those activities.  There were some who took part in almost nothing but then I can remember being impressed with the ones who had the long list of accomplishments.  Latin Club 1-4, Soccer 1-4, Student Council 1-4, Treasurer of Freshman Class,  Vice-President Junior Class,  Baseball 1-4.  And the list went on and on. 

 

      That is what Paul was about for a while.  Listing the things that made him superior.  He was circumcised on the eighth day, he was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews.  He persecuted the church with the best of them.  Under the law he was blameless. He thought he was pretty hot stuff. 

 

       And then he met Jesus.  And he realized how Jesus had given everything for him.  And he realized that all of his accomplishments paled in comparison.  And he dedicated his life to following the risen Christ. 

 

       Mary understood that Jesus was going to die.  She didn't regret pouring out the bottle of expensive perfume because she knew it was nothing compared to what Jesus was doing for her.  Paul understood that it was not about him, it was about Jesus.  They both understood it was about love.

 

       Judas did not get that.  He was concerned about the amount of money being wasted.  But if we think about it in terms of what would we do for a loved one who was dying, we wouldn't stop and count the cost.  We would do whatever we could for them.  These were acts of love, by Mary pouring out the perfume on Jesus feet, by Jesus pouring out his blood for us on the cross.

 

          I always enjoy stories that have to do with feet.  My mother says that I have nice feet.  It is the only compliment she has ever given me.  One day when were were visiting her with our three children, our daughter, Amy, took her shoes off, and Mom told Amy that she had nice feet.  So when Amy got married, in the midst of the homily, I mentioned that when Amy and JC have children, one of the things we could be sure of was that they would have nice feet.  The bride doubled over with laughter. 

 

         The only reason I mention this is that in the gospel of John, in a few days, there will be another episode that has to do with feet.  The night before his death, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.  It is a demonstration that Jesus is servant of all.  But there may be something else going on here.  Mary, in anointing Jesus feet, was preparing him for burial.  Jesus was going to die.  Could it be that Jesus was not only cleansing the disciples, he was preparing them to die for the kingdom?

 

          For me, it raises the question, Do I really want Jesus to wash me feet?  Yes, I want to be cleansed, but am I willing to die for the kingdom. 

 

          Mary got it.  She knew that Jesus was going to die because of what he did for her brother. That was why she was willing to let her hair down to wipe the perfume off of his feet.  She didn't care about anything else at that moment.  All that mattered was doing something that demonstrated her love for the one who was giving his life for her. The disciples didn't get it yet.  They didn't get it until after the resurrection, when they met the risen Jesus.  It was then that they were willing to share the good news no matter what the cost. 

 

        When we come before the Lord, our high school yearbooks won't help.  It won't matter what family we come from or how many good deeds we have done.  The question will be, Do you love Jesus, the one who was willing to empty himself for you?  If the answer is Yes, how did you love him in return?