As I reflect on today’s reading from John, I am reminded of what us Midwesterners just experienced this past week. For those who may not know, we had some brutally cold temperatures recently with wind chills reaching minus 30 degrees. Even though I am used to Nebraska winters, February was particularly demoralizing since there was a lot of painfully cold days and not an end in sight. And to some extent I can let myself feel the same way about Lent. Growing up it was all about giving things up and the “suffering” associated with our preparation for Easter. Even reading John’s account of those celebrating Jesus for his raising of Lazarus from the dead has a pall over it since we know that our story takes place just six days before Passover and I struggle with the readings this time of year with their focus on the passion of Jesus.

As we see in today’s reading, Jesus is in Bethany and during the supper honoring him for raising Lazarus, Mary uses the aromatic and expensive oil from spikenard to anoint Jesus’ feet and then wipe them with her hair. Her actions are not only a great act of love and devotion, but also humility. Judas of Iscariot witnesses Mary’s actions and then questions her use of the oil, noting it could have been sold and used for the poor, which initially sounds reasonable. However, Jesus tells Judas to leave her alone and for Mary to keep the oil for his own death and burial, noting as well that “…you do not always have me.” It is important to know that Judas held the money bag and despite his altruistic words he regularly took from it for his own good – a behavior we sometimes see in others who provide a religious façade or impression to others, but whose actions are contrary. The reality is that Judas cares for one person – Judas. Mary, on the other hand, is the true devotee whose actions demonstrate and are consistent with her love for Jesus and her humility. Our reading ends with Jews gathering to see Jesus and Lazarus, and believing in Jesus, which threatened the chief priests who plotted to kill them both.

John’s reading is a somber presage of Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial, and it is easy to dwell on this. However, we were all baptized into his death at baptism, and just as we join Jesus in his suffering and death, so, too, are we linked to his resurrection and into a new life with Christ. Let us take heart in knowing that no matter the suffering we experience in life, it is our belief in Jesus and our preparation for and faithful witnessing of his resurrection that provides guidance and hope. As we enter spring, a favorable forecast awaits - If we believe, prepare, and follow Jesus in a manner like Mary, with love, devotion, and humility, then we will be blessed with life everlasting.