Reading: John 12:1-11
Monday, after all of the joy and excitement of Palm Sunday, sees Jesus back in the town of Bethany. On the previous Saturday, Jesus came to raise his friend Lazarus from the dead after Lazarus had been dead in the tomb for three days, and his sisters Mary and Martha, were in anguish. Jesus returns to a dinner by Martha to see Lazarus and enjoy a meal among his closest friends. Mary decides to welcome him - in a traditional way - by cleaning and anointing His feet with the exquisite ointment known as Nard. Then she dries His feet with her hair.
One of the disclples, Judas Iscariot, makes a snide comment about the expensive perfumed ointment that Mary used saying that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus, supportive of Mary's actions, told Judas that Mary had purchased the jar of Nard in preparation for Jesus' own death and burial and that, "You always have the poor with you but you do not always have me."
Meanwhile, a great crowd was assembling to see Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests were not at all pleased at this development, especially after throngs of excited people along the entry route into Jerusalem the day before. They decided that they would put both Jesus and Lazarus to death as all that was being said and the miracle of raising of Lazarus were turning Jews away as they began to believe in Jesus. They felt threatened by this new, powerful prophet. The clock is ticking...
Sweet Jesus,
On this Monday in Holy Week, the Gospel speaks of You relaxing at dinner with friends and being pampered as we go about the busy-ness of everyday life. How unaware are we, as were the disciples on that day, of the significance of this week in our own lives as Christians?
The Sanhedrin were plotting against You, and we are making lists of necessities for Easter Day, including bunny-shaped chocolates and marshmallow peeps in brightly colored baskets with plastic grass and hard-boiled eggs dyed in multiple colors. Where else in the world on this day are executions being planned and carried out against innocent people? How many unknown women, men, and their children will be brutalized for their religious beliefs, their race, gender, ethnicity, who they love, or simply because they seem to be a threat to some group in power?
Grace us with Your spirit Lord, let us, Christians, Your followers, hear and pay attention to that still small voice inside that tells us to take a moment today to stop, reflect, and pray. Remind us to give thanksgiving for the ordinary parts of a day that make up an extraordinary life for the many of us that don't have to fear murderous persecution. Have we realized today why it is that we're privileged to be gathering fun fillings for an "Easter Basket"? It's only Monday and much is yet to come this very week. amen.
Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. Requestors will remain anonymous.
Monday, after all of the joy and excitement of Palm Sunday, sees Jesus back in the town of Bethany. On the previous Saturday, Jesus came to raise his friend Lazarus from the dead after Lazarus had been dead in the tomb for three days, and his sisters Mary and Martha, were in anguish. Jesus returns to a dinner by Martha to see Lazarus and enjoy a meal among his closest friends. Mary decides to welcome him - in a traditional way - by cleaning and anointing His feet with the exquisite ointment known as Nard. Then she dries His feet with her hair. One of the disclples, Judas Iscariot, makes a snide comment about the expensive perfumed ointment that Mary used saying that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus, supportive of Mary's actions, told Judas that Mary had purchased the jar of Nard in preparation for Jesus' own death and burial and that, "You always have the poor with you but you do not always have me."
Meanwhile, a great crowd was assembling to see Jesus and Lazarus. The chief priests were not at all pleased at this development, especially after throngs of excited people along the entry route into Jerusalem the day before. They decided that they would put both Jesus and Lazarus to death as all that was being said and the miracle of raising of Lazarus were turning Jews away as they began to believe in Jesus. They felt threatened by this new, powerful prophet. The clock is ticking...
Sweet Jesus,
On this Monday in Holy Week, the Gospel speaks of You relaxing at dinner with friends and being pampered as we go about the busy-ness of everyday life. How unaware are we, as were the disciples on that day, of the significance of this week in our own lives as Christians?
The Sanhedrin were plotting against You, and we are making lists of necessities for Easter Day, including bunny-shaped chocolates and marshmallow peeps in brightly colored baskets with plastic grass and hard-boiled eggs dyed in multiple colors. Where else in the world on this day are executions being planned and carried out against innocent people? How many unknown women, men, and their children will be brutalized for their religious beliefs, their race, gender, ethnicity, who they love, or simply because they seem to be a threat to some group in power?
Grace us with Your spirit Lord, let us, Christians, Your followers, hear and pay attention to that still small voice inside that tells us to take a moment today to stop, reflect, and pray. Remind us to give thanksgiving for the ordinary parts of a day that make up an extraordinary life for the many of us that don't have to fear murderous persecution. Have we realized today why it is that we're privileged to be gathering fun fillings for an "Easter Basket"? It's only Monday and much is yet to come this very week. amen.
Please feel free to request a prayer to be composed for a particular concern or topic for posting in this space. You may leave your request in the comments section or contact me directly at Leeosophy@gmail.com All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. Requestors will remain anonymous.
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