A Very Good Sunday

Some Sundays, I am particularly blessed at church.  Today was one such Sunday.  Our sermon and music spoke to my heart so profoundly.  Our very smart, sweet, humble associate pastor, Caren, preached on the gospel story of the woman (Mary, in John’s version) who annointed Jesus with the expensive ointment, nard.  Until today, I hadn’t realized how much I loved this story.  Caren made some very interesting points I had never thought about or known before, including these:  the story is told in all four gospel accounts which makes it very significant; the passage calls to mind Psalm 23 (thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over); it is the only story in the gospels where Jesus is shown to be receiving and not giving.  She talked about how hard it often is for us to receive rather than to give, which is so true. I love that when others (Judas, per Luke and John) criticized Mary’s actions, saying that the expensive ointment should have been sold to provide for the poor, Jesus scolds them saying that the poor will always be there for them to help, but He won’t always be with them physically.  I have in the past sometimes thought, along with the criticizers, that Mary’s action was wasteful, but after today, I think I will always see this new dimension Caren’s sermon revealed to me – the idea of Jesus accepting with grace the gift Mary had to give and honoring its intent.  This also makes me think of the passage in Ecclesiastes where it is said there is a time for every purpose under heaven.  There is a time for giving to the poor, but there was also a time for honoring Christ’s status as Messiah and his looming crucifixion and burial.  I feel like Jesus’ saying the unexpected here, defending Mary’s actions, shows that Christianity has more nuance than people sometimes think and that sometimes more than one answer may be right.

The music today was about as perfect as it could have been in my book.  The choir sang a bluesy, heartfelt version of “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.”  We also sang a congregational hymn (“Ah, Holy Jesus”) that never fails to touch the deepest part of my soul, convicting me of my part in Jesus’ crucifixion, and making me so grateful for His sacrifice. 

Verse 2:  “Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee;
I crucified thee.”

Last Verse:  Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.

Then for communion/offering, our amazingly talented music director, Vickie, played (on piano) and sang a lovely, meditative, plaintiff version (self-composed, no doubt) of a song I love so much – The Doxology.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

I know that my musings may seem like those of a babbling idiot to some nonbelievers.  I wish I knew how to transplant into the heart of every nonbeliever a faith much stronger than mine – one that persists despite doubt and unworthiness.  I pray Jesus’ love and God’s blessing for anyone who reads this little commentary.