In Front Of Everybody

Daily(ish) blogging in Lent - Day Sixteen

When the crowds found out about it, they followed Jesus; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured. - Luke 9:11 (Daily Lectionary) 

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. - John 12:4-7

Mary showed gratitude and hospitality out in the open. 

In front of everybody.  

She anointed the man, oil and hair, who raised her brother from the dead. She anointed the man with whom she shared meals, conversation, longings, love. She anointed the man “on the night in which he was betrayed,” (out in the open, in front of the one who would betray him, and everybody!).

She anointed him, loved him, on the night which lead to sentencing, his torture, his assassination. 

They would hang him, out in the open, in front of everybody.

“Waste of money,” said the thief, the treasurer, the disciple, the friend. Judas criticized, accused Mary. In front of everybody. 

Jesus yelled. Leave her alone!

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Judas came with kisses in the night. 

Un-alone. 

Judas came with guards, with police. Uniforms, titles, big chests and hats and guns. 

Judas came not with his friends. But with his allies. 

Under cover. 

In front of nobody. 

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Money for an exchange: "the one I kiss is the one you take!"

Payment. 

"Transactional." 

Done. 

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Jesus gives food. Jesus' food creates hunger. For liberation. For the Kingdom. 

No transaction. Only impregnation. 

Planting. Of hope. Of Resurrection. 

Of New Reign.

The sharing of meals, conversation, longings, love. 

Jesus healed them. And spoke to them of God's Kingdom, out in the open, 

in front of everybody. (Luke 9:11)