A Few Words On "The Word"

April 9, 2006
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Mark 14: 1 - 15:47

Remember What's-Her-Name?

We all know the plot. But check this out. Each of the four gospels tell the basic plot from different points of view, each with its own details and omissions. The movie versions tend to lump all four gospels together. But in church, we read one version at a time. And we read two versions each year. On Palm Sunday, we hear the heart of the story as written in the gospel of the year, this year Mark. Always on Holy Thursday, we begin John's side of the story (13:1-15) and finish it up on Good Friday (18:1-19:42). Since you know the plot, try listening for the details and differences between Mark and John.

Here's one that's cool. Both gospels have a grooming scene. In Jesus' time and place, pouring soothing, cooling oil on a guest or having a household servant washing a guest's feet was a sign of welcome and good manners. Kinda like when we say "lemme take your coat," or "want somethin' to drink?"

But look who grooms and is groomed in Mark and compare it to who is washed and washes in John. In Mark, just before the Last Supper, a woman comes in and anoints Jesus with a costly lotion. Other guests dis this woman, and some for what sounds like a pretty good reason. (Why use this? Let's sell it and help the poor!) But Jesus defends her. He doesn't deny our responsibility to help the poor, and yet he realizes that this woman is smart. She understands what Jesus is all about and is honoring him. He even says that she is preparing him for his burial. (Jesus knew that he was rubbing the authorities the wrong way and figured that they were gonna harm him.)

The most important thing that Jesus says in this episode of the heart of the story is this: "Amen I say to you," (this is always a clue that the church is 99.9999999% sure that Jesus actually said this sentence as written and it's not words put into his mouth) "wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world. What she has done will be told in memory of her."

And here we are, doing what Jesus said we would. We're telling the story of this woman of faith. But look at the text. Do we know anything about this woman? Do we even know her name?

What gives? Jesus told us to remember her and tell her story. How could we have forgotten to write down her name? Because this episode happens in Bethany, some people think that this woman is Jesus' friend Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. But Mark's text does not say so. It says that they all are in someone named Simon's house.

How could we forget? Sad truth is that the women who followed Jesus were treated like second class citizens by the community within 100 years of Jesus' dying and rising. Whaz up wit dat?! Maybe by anointing Jesus, this faithful woman gave him the idea for what he's gonna do at this point in John's gospel that we hear on Thursday night. And if Jesus learns from faithful women, shouldn't we?

Reflection Question

What other gifts do women bring to the world and to the church that are devalued or overlooked?

Join us in our Forum to discuss these questions!