“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.” John 12
Sweet fragrances can captivate and sweep us into another time and place. They can convey delight and take us through a variety of thoughts and emotions of love, joy or sore memories. I read, that in biblical times, ‘nard’ possessed highly fragrant and medicinal properties and regarded as an oil of luxury. It is interesting to learn about the healing and spiritual significance in herbs, oils and food, as God’s gift. This ‘nard’ oil was used for anointing and embodied a love and sacrifice.
Perhaps Mary, in her poor and sacrificial love for God, was surrendering her spirit to Jesus. She tenderly wiped the feet of Jesus with this precious oil, letting go of worldly riches. An oil, that scholars say, would have cost a year’s wages, may have been Mary’s extravagant gesture of love. I suspect if the most miniscule droplet melted down Mary’s hair might have gathered it swiftly and tenderly steadied it back over the precious holy feet of Jesus’. We can sense the sweet earthy spicy aroma pleasantly rise through the air, with maybe hint of cinnamon or nutmeg, beckoning all to partake.
On our family vacation to Greece, we found an authentic Greek food restaurant, tucked away in a small quaint village. It was surrounded by low walls of rosemary bushes that lined the front courtyard. We were struck and commented on its beauty and scent. We paused and breathed in the aromatic scent of the earthy and lemony herb wafting about. It is an herb used for most of our Italian and Greek dishes for generations. Instantly, we felt connected to this place we had never been, but here we were, it was like being home.
God invites us to be still. To listen. To know He is God all around us. God gave us senses to experience life in fullness and joy of God’s presence and love surrounding us. In the hurriedness of life, if we are swept up in duties, let us pause and breathe, knowing God is present. A God who wants us to know, who we are. Created. Formed. Divinely loved and redeemed by Him.
Jesus says to Judas, “She bought it so she might keep it for the day of my burial.”. John 12. This may compel us to ponder that Mary listened to Jesus and knew the day was coming for Jesus to leave. Perhaps, while Judas’ sought to criticize, Jesus offered an awakening in love. Perhaps Jesus’ was inviting Judas to shed worldly strongholds and beliefs to encounter Jesus. With a poor and pure heart open to Jesus’ redemption. This can resonate triumphantly in the present and eternal life. How precious this overflowing love Mary had, which may have been a momentous encounter. Jesus’ love is all encompassing in his love for his children.
Maybe today we can reflect and pray for God to heal our short sightedness and surrender like Mary.
Blessed beginning of Holy Week,
Claudia
Ournourishedsoul