Holy Monday

John 12.1-11

12

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, the village of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a banquet in Jesus' honor, at which Martha served. Lazarus was one of those at the table. 3 Mary brought a pound of costly ointment, pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair. The house was full of the scent of the ointment. 4 Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples - the one who was to betray Jesus - protested, 5 "Why wasn't this ointment sold? It could have brought nearly a year's wages, and the money been given to poor people!" 6 Judas didn't say this because he was concerned for poor people, but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the common fund and would help himself to it. 7 So Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You have poor people with you always. But you won't always have me." 9 Meanwhile a large crowd heard that Jesus was there and came to see not only Jesus, but also Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests planned to kill Lazarus as well, 11 since it was because of him that many of the people were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

"Oh, to Be So Poor"

by Robert W. Duffey , Jr.

found in Imaging the Word: An Arts and Lectionary Resource, Vol. 1 (United Church Press, 1994)

She lived life out of a wheelchair.

Barely hearing. Almost blind.

At worship today

Christ's Supper was offered to her,

but she thought the plate of broken bread was the

offering plate.

Bewildered, she said a bit too loud,

"I don't have anything to give."

Poor woman, they all thought.

Not so.

Through any disorientation, we have everything

in the Christ who gives his life for us.

Through our deafness, he hears for us.

Through our blindness he sees for us.

Through our trembling hands, he will take the bread

and cup for us.

We hear Christ's words:

Let not your heart be troubled.

I will hold it.

I will feed you.

I will drink the cup for you.

I will fill you.

I will be your world.

Oh, to be so poor.

Today’s Art Practice

Directions: Read aloud today's Poem by Robert W. Duffy, Jr. two times. Respond to the poem, noticing what words beckon you, what words challenge you, and what words you find uncomfortable.

If you like, you can use a piece of the lined paper from you envelope to take notes on what you notice.

If you like, this playlist can help you keep track of time. Once it stops playing, 20-minutes will be over.

Let’s Pray…

Touch Holiness

by Ruth C. Duck

Gracious God, we come before you a people too nearly conformed to this world and its values. We fail to develop our God-given abilities, then envy those who do. Too busy for the care of our bodies or the development of our minds and spirits, we neglect the nurture of our own best selves. We serve, but sometimes with resentment, because we say "Yes" to the most insistent caller more than to you. Expecting too much of ourselves, we resent others who seem not to do their share. We waffle between weakness which allows others to walk all over us, and defensiveness which ignores the rights of others. We spend our money on that which is not bread and turn our eyes away from images of those who have no bread. Yet we ignore our own hunger and thirst for you and your righteousness. Transform us by your Spirit and renew our minds. May we find the joy and peace that come from seeking your will, through Jesus, your faithful servant.

Amen.