Today’s scripture: John 12:1-11 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
Can you think of a time when someone did something extraordinary for you?
One event really stands out for me. In 1993, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It felt like a tsunami hit my life — but you do what you have to.
A few days before I was going into the hospital, my spouse Jeff presented me with a prayer devotional book. This was not just any ordinary prayer book. Jeff meticulously and prayerfully chose special Bible passages, and wrote daily devotionals and prayer, and included photos of family and pets throughout the book. It was to be read each day before my hospital stay, during my hospital stay when I was conscious and not in intensive care, and afterward during my recovery and rehab. This was a remarkable gift, especially considering Jeff was really busy at this time — he was leading the building effort that was underway for our church, working full time as a lawyer, and taking classes to become ordained clergy in MCC. If you know how much time and energy he puts into everything, it just made the gift that much more special.
This gift refreshed and lifted my soul, even as I would just flip through the pages and gaze at the photographs when I was really tired. To me, this expression of love that Jeff provided was like oxygen. It was healing and life giving. I would return to it again and again and enjoy the sweet aroma over and over. I can see the MasterCard commercial now: one evoked response test, $900. MRI scan and analysis, $2,200. Brain tumor treatment, surgery, and hospital stay, $140,000. Hand written devotional book, priceless.
I was also told I would experience changes of appearance. The tumor was on my brain stem, so the doctors were most concerned about preserving the nerves that were vital to life support (breathing and heart rate), and less concerned about facial nerves. What’s the use of having facial tone if you can’t breathe! For June 2, 1993, Jeff reminded me of his marriage vows and that his love would not change in the devotional book. I remember having facial weakness after the surgery, and covering the mirrors with towels because I could not recognize myself. I remember Jeff setting me in a chair in the kitchen giving me a bath because I could not do much of anything for myself. I remember asking over and over, “How can you look at me!” These were all priceless moments for me, like I was the one being covered with the perfume time and time again.
In the scripture passage, Mary was providing an anointing of Jesus with the perfume and the act of love she performed. The purposes of anointing included consecration, an act of hospitality for guests in a home, medical purposes in praying for the sick, preparing a body for burial, and for refreshment of one’s body. I can see that Mary was doing each of those for Jesus. Mary was showering Jesus with love that was priceless, no matter the cost of that bottle of perfume. Jeff was anointing me over and over with his words and his care.
As for me, I needed a reminder of this anointing. In recent months, I have been having symptoms similar to when I had that tumor in 1993. I had an MRI July 25, and I do not yet know the results. Writing on this passage and reminding myself of the anointing I have received from God, from God through Jeff, and from Christ who has taught me how to live in God’s grace, helps me in this time.
Whatever the results may be, or whatever happens afterward, I just pray for God to continue to shower me with the grace and love that sustains me in this life, and each and every passing day.
Prayer for today: God, I give thanks for the anointing you have given me in this lifetime. Please help me show your priceless love to others. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.