A Poem a Sunday

Lent IV-C

March 13, 2016

Commentary:  Our sense of smell is a memory prompt.  The fragrance of death fills the air as we near the days of Holy Week.  Lazarus, once dead, is now alive. This is a foreshadowing of the passion of Christ.

John 12:1-11 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Mary Anoints Jesus

12 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them[a] with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it[c] so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Footnotes:

1. John 12:3 Gk his feet
2. John 12:5 Three hundred denarii would be nearly a year’s wages for a laborer
3. John 12:7 Gk lacks She bought it

A Poem a Sunday

Lent IV - C

The Anointing

Fragrance ever flowing

upon ancient winds.

Stench of death overcoming

as new life begins.

Extravagance in worship

no silver for the poor.

Mary's fame will be remembered

now and evermore.

Balance is abandoned.

The Prophet continues to teach:

“God’s inclusive kingdom

is not beyond your reach.”

Advance now to Jerusalem

lifted upon the cross.

Gather all the scattered

now no longer lost.

Fragrance ever flowing

upon ancient winds.

Stench of death overcoming

as new life begins.

A Poem a Sunday copyright@kennstorck@gmail.com