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Balancing Act - Tom Wilkinson
Interesting passage for today, two passages actually. The first half of the passage is part of the traditional passion narrative that we heard read in three voices just last Sunday and that we will revisit all during this Holy Week. The second part of the passage is set in Bethany, not Jerusalem,  but that's no big deal because Bethany was a scant two miles from Jerusalem, a distance easily covered by foot for an outing a couple of days before Passover.
Scholars differ on the identity of the unnamed woman with the alabaster jug of oil. Some say it was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus whom we meet elsewhere in the gospels (see Jonathan Morris' excellent commentary on the story of Mary and Martha in this space last week). Others say it was someone entirely different, perhaps Mary Magdalene. Some commentators identify the indignant disciple ("Why this waste?") as Judas, but he is also unnamed in Matthew's gospel. That had to be on purpose, perhaps as a device to draw us into the story so we can more easily identify with the opposing points of view.
Whatever the reason, the story stands on its own merit, and I confess that I am conflicted by it. Vocationally, I am a paid, professional Christian stewardship consultant, and as such, can easily identify with the indignant disciple(s) who view the woman's act as an extravagant waste, diverting precious, limited resources from the poor, and other worthy causes, to a fleeting gesture of love and care for Jesus. But the writer of Matthew includes the story for a reason.
 When Jesus defends the woman's actions he reminds his disciples, and us, that the poor will always be with us. He is not saying that we should abandon those less fortunate souls altogether, but that we need to strike a balance, not only in our philanthropic efforts but in life generally. Few of us can be like Mother Teresa or St. Francis, but we can all be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and that includes making time for worship and prayer in addition to acts of giving, service and witness, as we promise to do each time we welcome new brothers and sisters into our faith community.
It's a balancing act, and we can achieve that balance only with the love and support of God, our family and our friends. It's worth the effort.
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woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8 But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, "Why this waste? 9 For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her."
