Sermons on “John”
Fifth Sunday in Lent: Mary Did What?? April 7, 2019
In today’s Gospel this fifth Sunday in Lent, Jesus tells Judas that Mary bought the perfume to keep for the day of his burial. But rather than save it for that day, she uses it when he’s still alive and well.
What exactly is the rush? Mary needs to wait only a few more days to fulfill her original intention. But something in her can’t wait. She anoints Jesus’ feet–not for burial, but for his short, walk toward death. As one writer asked, “What do we do when time grows short?”
Mary offers us an answer. Her response embodies the advice given by writer, Annie Dillard. “Spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place . . . give it, give it all, give it now.” It’s advice for life as much as for writing. This seems to be the reason for Jesus’ blunt response about the poor always being with us. The point is not to be resigned and complacent; it is to be present to what each moment requires. What this moment requires of Mary is an act of reckless anointing. What does this moment require of you?
Second Sunday after the Epiphany: The Wedding at Cana of Gallilee
The celebration of the feast of the Epiphany began in Egypt sometime during the third century and was traditionally celebrated in honor of 3 events: The Epiphany and of the adoration of the Magi; the baptism of Jesus and the first miracle at the wedding at Cana of Galilee. These 3 were all together in the third century’s celebration of Jesus’ divinity. Today we hear the story of the wedding at Cana of Galilee, the first miracle (called a sign) story in John’s Gospel and told only in John. The nearly 160 gallons of the finest wine symbolize God’s abundance
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