It was Monday
when he returned to the friends we get to know by name—
Mary,
Martha,
Lazarus.
It was Monday
when he walked the few miles to a familiar home away from home—
one kneeling at his feet,
one preparing the meal,
one living the miracle.
It was Monday
when the city was filling up—
with pilgrims for the Passover,
with crowds who had heard about resurrection,
with threats on Jesus’ life.
And so it was Monday
when Mary brought things with her as she kneeled near Jesus—
costly perfume,
her own hair,
a blessing.
She gave her gift early, in the moment…
We do not know why.
She gave in life that which was intended for death.
She made do with what she had on hand—
and it was enough.
It was enough for an anointing.
It is Monday again, Holy God, Anointed One,
and the cities are emptying out.
Pilgrimages are cancelled.
Crowds are dangerous and forbidden.
There’s a threat on everyone’s life.
It is Monday again, Holy God, Anointed One,
and the day is strange for us.
We kneel and pray for a miracle for people we know, and people we will never know.
We go about our daily chores in the kitchen, remembering the poor.
We live behind masks that are like the cloths covering Lazarus’ face as he was called out of the tomb.
It is Monday again, Holy God, Anointed One,
and it is difficult to get passed Sunday’s cry of ‘Hosanna! Save us!’
We want to breathe deeply, and to be healthy and together again.
We want to be called out of the tomb by name and set free—a miracle from you.
We want to skip to Easter.
But it is only Monday, Holy God, Anointed One,
the day you share with us Mary and her blessing—given early, in the moment…
We do not need to know why.
We just need to know that the time to give is now rather than waiting until it is too late.
We just need to know that what we have on hand and who we are—
these are enough.
We are enough for your anointing.
Let it be so. Amen and Amen.
By Rev. Jill Colley Robinson, Vermont District Superintendent
Based on John 12.1-11
