The reason for the hope that we have

Mark 14: 6-9 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them anytime you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Jesus’ response to Judas’ derision might surprise us here. Jesus’ standard line is to call us to feed the hungry and provide a bed for the homeless. But here he prioritizes himself over the poor. Why?

The answer might lie in the specific thing Jesus says Mary is preparing him for: his burial. The death and resurrection of Jesus are central to the Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says that the resurrection is the reason for the hope that we have. It's the reason we are able to follow him in radical generosity to the poor and to our community. I wonder if Jesus is working to remind us the power of his death and resurrection here. What do you think? Why is Jesus so willing to accept this radical gift?


Today's organization is NorthEast of the Well, an organization that works with women in recovery. You can find their website here: http://northeastofthewell.org/