03-28-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 28, 2024
As we move further into the Holy Week story as told in Matthew’s Gospel, we learn of an unnamed woman who entered the home of Simon the Leper (how would you like to have what sounds like a last name be an illness that you have? I’d be Bruce the Multiple Sclerosis) and opened a jar containing very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head as he was reclining at the dinner table. The disciples got all mad, suggesting the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. But Jesus pushed back and suggested the woman had done a great thing in preparing his body for burial. This story spurs my curiosity in regard to the unnamed and even unspoken characters in the stories of Jesus. There are so many things that occurred during this time, and I believe we can comfortably assume there were others involved. Along with the strong reaction by the disciples, were there people, maybe members of Simon’s family, who had helped to prepare and serve the meal? What were their reactions? What did they observe that maybe the disciples, being so close to the situation, were unable to see? It makes me think of the unnamed or unknown people who have crossed our paths and who have blessed us without us knowing who they were or what they did. 

Generous God, the grace and generosity of so many in life are often under-appreciated. So often, I do not pause long enough to acknowledge or give thanks for the numerous people who have been a part of my journey, in both small and significant ways. Amen.