Written by professors, graduates, and others in
the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary community, these reflections, prayers, and spiritual practices will take you along the journey with Jesus through the cross toward resurrection.
Monday, March 30, 2015
• Psalm 145
• John 12:1–11
I sympathize with Judas. And not because I’m a thief: I’m just a Presbyterian. Our Book of Order speaks of “a faithful stewardship that shuns ostentation and seeks proper use of the gifts of God’s creation” (F-2.05), and I’ve always been suspicious of the extravagant gesture and always concerned to use things—or even time—in a way that is practical and productive. I, too, would shudder at pouring out all that perfume without accomplishing something more tangible and necessary than just making a house smell good.
But even if Judas’ concern for the poor had been sincere, Jesus’ response might have been the same. “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Mary bought the perfume for Jesus’ burial. Death is a powerful reminder that some moments are sacred; they must be attended to now, for they will not come again. And while Scripture calls us to care for the poor and vulnerable, it isn’t a competition. True caring grows as we grasp the deep truth that all of us are lovingly created children of God. What we do in any given moment may not change the world. But the joy, tenderness, compassion, and even beauty found in an extravagant gesture of love will forever be a part of who we are.
I am the mother of two young children, constantly torn between my never-ending “to do” list and giving myself over to their play. When I do turn my full attention to the children, the delight and wonder can be overwhelming. To momentarily set everything else aside and fully embrace that joy is, for me, an act of praise. Sometimes, yes, the chores must be done, but the chores will always be with me, and this is a fleeting time of life.
Our church hosts a weekly breakfast, begun with the primary goal of providing food for those in need. But as the fellowship and sense of community among guests and hosts have grown, we’ve discovered something more important. When one guest marked a milestone birthday—a day that would have passed unacknowledged if not for this small community singing and celebrating— when we saw what that meant to him, we began to better understand that “Man does not live by bread alone.” And many of us have witnessed at the other end of life, as death creeps near, when a spouse or child lovingly washes a face or sits and holds a hand. All else is put on hold to attend to this person, a moment steeped in the presence and promise of God.
We will move on to the more practical tasks of discipleship — we must — but let us also embrace these fleeting, sacred moments, with wonder and adoration and praise.
God of each and every moment, help us to attend to the sacredness in our everyday lives. Help us to attend to those fleeting moments when we discover and honor your presence through our love for one another. Amen.
– The Reverend Ann Herlin (MDiv’01)
Associate pastor, Old Presbyterian Meeting House, Alexandria, Virginia, and Member of the Austin Seminary Board of Trustees
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