"Mary took a pound of costly perfume ...anointed Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair." - from John 12:1-8
Kathy Ogle tells about her experiences working with a refugee program in Fort Worth, Texas. One day one of the refugees said to her, "We are grateful for the beautiful things people have given us. But people always say, 'Take this. We don't use it anymore.' It feels like they are giving us their throw-away things. That makes us feel bad. In my country we would say, 'Take this. It's the best that I have.'"
She explained that in our culture people often feel awkward about receiving things from others, so we sometimes try to make it seem like the gift isn't really valuable, like the recipient is doing us a favor in taking it. The more she thought about it, the more it raised questions about how we give what we give. She decided to try giving away her "excess" from an honest experience of 'Take this. It's the best that I have." The next time there was a clothing drive, she gave away one of her best blouses. It was hard. She really liked it! Then she reflected on her time spent in other cultures. A home where the household's only chicken was killed and served to her for a meal. The times when the only or best chair was where she was expected to sit as they all sat on the floor or stood.
It is a challenge to grow as a giver, as we follow the Giver of all life. Remembering how Jesus praised Mary for the costly, freely given gift of love, we are humbled to realize how often we cling tightly to what we could release in love for others.
Questions for Today
When have I most joyfully given to someone in need?
What allowed me to give so joyfully?
Does the idea of reducing my use of things feel freeing or restrictive?
Are there others who are good examples to me of the generous, fulfilled life?
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