APRIL ADORATION

Here is a sermon given on the Monday of Holy Week.

              It's a very sacred week for Christians as we walk with Jesus from Bethany into Jerusalem, down the Via Dolorosa and out to his crucifixion.  Only then can we understand the divine glory of the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ.
                         Life with Christ: Extravagant

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany. 

Imagine following Him there.

Imagine yourself among the ‘inner’  circle . . .  one of those who followed Jesus as often as possible, especially to this home in Bethany.  

Are you in awe that you are following this prophet, this priest, this King of the Jews, as some might call Him?  

Here we are, once again, at the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, as we have been many times when we’ve heard that Jesus was staying with them.  

You’ve observed the resurrection miracle with Lazarus and the unbelievable administrative skills of Martha.  Mary is unique unto herself as she openly shares her story and her experience regarding the time Jesus miraculously healed her.  

Let’s linger a moment as we reflect on the times and ways Jesus is healing us . . . body, mind, and soul.  Has your healing been through scripture reading, Holy Eucharist, time with the prayer team or others who have walked with you and laid hands on you as Jesus did with His followers?

Now let’s picture this extravagant scene.  Food is piled on the table as men linger in conversation.  Lazarus and

Jesus and those in Jesus’ intimate circle are kibitzing back and forth as if they’d all grown up together.  The simplicity of it all seems so extravagant.  It’s like they mingle together in the same way the very poor gather around the fire to keep warm at night.

Yet, out of the corner of my eye I see Mary, the one who lived an extravagantly sin-filled life at one time.  I see her bringing an extra-ordinary alabaster jar into this intimate space. 

Let’s stop for a moment. 

Picture your life before you met Jesus. 

I mean, really met Him.  

Can you remember your turning point?  

Can you remember falling down in thanksgiving for discovering the Truth in Jesus Christ . . . the full presence of God working through you as you say ‘yes’ to Jesus, perhaps for the first time?  

Was there some ‘aha’ moment when you understood the extravagant gift of love and new life that Jesus gave you?  

Was your whole heart exploding with gratitude . . . I mean exploding . . .  like it was about to pound out of your chest?  

Can you think of at least one time that you mentally understood Jesus’ forgiveness but still cannot drop the feeling that you do not deserve this extravagant, unchallenged, intimate, go-for-broke love that Jesus wants to give us?   

It’s not a question of deserving.  

It’s a question of receiving and giving back to Jesus that same love He has given us.  . . . just like Mary did in this scene.  

Mary did not know how Jesus was going to die or even when.  

All she knew was that her heart was exploding in love for

the one who saved her from eternal torment. Jesus saved her from her demon-filled life and showed her pure, self-giving love that she’d not understood before.

Can you put yourself in Mary’s shoes?  

Can you simply say, “yes”, I receive your extravagant gift of Truth, love, forgiveness, grace, mercy, healing, understanding, His presence in the Holy Eucharist and so much more?  

Now, Picture your quiet time place.  

Where are you sitting?  

Where is Jesus in relation to where you are?  

Is He close?  

If not, why not?  

Jesus could squeeze right into that chair with you if you want.   

Talk to the Lord about this in your next quiet time.

Now think of Mary’s extravagant gift. 

Did she get close to Jesus, get into his intimate space?  

After all, this is like family sitting around the table.

It’s as if Mary knew she might not be with Jesus if he were cut down instantly by His foes and hauled away.   

All Mary knew was “it is time.”  

This expensive nard, imported from the Himalayas, was not needed for her brother.    

He was resurrected from the dead.

OK,  but we might ask ourselves, “Why so much nard . . . a whole pound?”  

That’s like us spending a fortune on a treasure and handing it right over to someone else.

Mary knows, deep in her spirit . . .  “This is the time, the place, the person . . . it’s time.”

Not on Jesus’ head but on His feet.

Mary rubbed this fragrant oil into the cracks and crevices of Jesus’ well trod feet, the places where nails

would all too soon pierce this tender area of his body.

Letting her long hair down, even in this intimate group, was unusual but this too was a sign. 

She was giving her ‘all’ to Jesus. 

“Here I am, I’m all yours, my hair is like my very clothing, given to wipe your wounds.”  

It’s like Mary is saying, “I give myself and all I have, all that means anything to me . . . I give it to you.”

 Can we say that?   

What is the most vulnerable part of yourself that you can hand over to Jesus?  

What treasure can we give in repayment for what Jesus has given us?

Jesus wants nothing but our entire life from us, just as He expected nothing more from Mary.

When Mary was chided by Judas, Jesus reminded him

that Mary is doing exactly as she should.

Mary’s heart of thanksgiving, eucharisto, was freely given to our Lord.

Can we give our heart, mind, will, emotion, all that we have, to God in Christ?

God has always blessed those who bestow upon him the fragrant perfume of sacrifice.

AMEN