Palm Sunday

Of Women, Perfume and Tears

Imagine the scene: A woman, an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, the anointing of Jesus by the woman who anticipates the anointing of Jesus’ body. She is criticized by those around her. She continues her acts of love and attention, caring for and valuing what she could do for Jesus. He speaks for her. He defends her. He affirms her. “She has done what she could.”

Jesus’ words are powerful! “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me…Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

An unnamed woman ministers to Jesus right before preparations for the Passover meal. In the end, Jesus is buried in a tomb under the watchful eyes of two women. When everyone else ran, thinking all was defeated by the death of Jesus, they stayed. No wonder then, that Jesus first appeared to a woman who was watchful and caring, once more.

“She has done what she could…and what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, throughout the whole world! Imagine all that is told in memory of her.

What does it mean for us to embrace Jesus as the Lord of our lives?  What parts of ourselves are waiting for us to surrender, to lavish on Jesus!