Rain rain rain…at least our world is watered!

Today’s reading:

John 12:1–7

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

In other news, there are stories of Senate bills, settlements, continued coverage of things abroad…all seemingly intrical parts of life and rather fleeting.  There is news of different events happening and my favorite section of the Oregonian arrives on Fridays.  You guessed it, I love the A & E section that outlines shows, art, books, music, and movies. 

I love reading the newspaper when I get it on the weekends and I love seeing what is going on in the world.  And like many others I am drawn to stories such as winning the soccer game over increasingly difficult subjects that seem to weigh us down.  But those moments of joy are fleeting if not memorable.  Jesus is making the news this morning or I should say Mary is really the one making the news.  For whatever reason she does something crazy at dinner. She pulls out the expensive perfume and in public but through her amazing acts of love, she gets Jesus ready for death.  He knows it but everyone else just see shocking news.  He comments that this adoration is appropriate because he is that fleeing joy but we will have time to dwell on the other stuff….don’t worry about this moment, just take it in.  Learn from it.  Gain what you will.

This morning, perhaps we can take a moment to relish in the news and find what may be fleeting.  We will have turmoil and bad news always but we may not have these intentional moments often.  Take time to prepare for what is to come.

Peace,

Court