Nothing Held Back

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Proper 16, the week of the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrase for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:

3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head.

You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary readings (BCP, 980)

AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14

1 Kings 3:1-15; Acts 27:9-26; Mark 14:1-11

Today we celebrate the Feast of Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherow, and Anne Line. (See below.)

David's Reflections

Dennis Nineham observes about today’s Gospel reading: "The story . . . throws a light both on the devotion Jesus aroused in those who heard him, and on his gracious humanity in his treatment of others." *

This remarkable story also appears in Matthew and John. A similar story, perhaps a variant of this incident, occurs in Luke 7. Obviously, the woman's act of devotion lived in the memory of the earliest church, which speaks to its remarkable character.

Anointing people with olive or another vegetable oil for refreshment or in connection with a meal was not uncommon. However, it could be expensive, and in this instance the woman used an entire flask of a more costly oil. The criticism among the observers at least spoke of their sensitivity to the needs of the poor, even if they proved insensitive to this woman and her devotion and sense of timing.

Jesus' death loomed on the horizon. The circumstances of his death would prevent a proper anointing for burial, which would motivate the women to go the tomb the first day after Sabbath. In Mark’s narrative this woman anticipated the events about to unfold and anointed Jesus prior to his burial. Also, there may be a hint in Mark's telling of Jesus' identity as Messiah, the anointed one of God, about to be rejected by his own people.

The woman's action creates a vivid image of commitment--pouring oneself out in devotion to Jesus. I feel a wild, elaborate energy in her action. How would my daily life be different if I envisioned myself as that flask of oil and intentionally poured my life out each day as a devoted anointing of Jesus? The flask would be turned upside down each day and every drop of life energy and ability and intent lavished on Jesus, given freely and unreservedly. Of course, once poured out, the oil cannot be returned to the flask. How would I live differently if the misunderstandings and criticisms of others did not deter me and I actually sought to practice that level of commitment?

A prayer of Merton's came to mind as these thoughts took shape.

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact hat I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may known nothing about it. therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone." +

*D. E. Nineham, The Gospel of St. Mark. Pelican Gospel Commentaries (Baltimore: Penguin, 1963), p. 372.

+Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude (Boston: Shambahala, 1983), p. 89.

©David W Perkins, 2023

Collect of the Day, Proper 16, the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 232-33)

Today we celebrate the Feast of Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherow, and Anne Line, martyrs (died 13 Aug 1588, 25 Mar 1586, and 27 Feb 1601 respectively).

http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Ward-Clitherow-Line.html

Collect of the Feast of Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherow, and Anne Line

Most Merciful God, who despises not a broken and contrite heart and has promised to fill those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; We humbly beseech you, remember not the sins and offenses of our ancestors, but grant that, like your servants Margaret Ward, Margaret Clitherow, and Anne Line, we may sanctify you in our hearts and be always ready to answer for our faith with meekness and fear; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Collect for Protection

O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 124)

In Times of Personal Distress

Lord Christ, you came into the world as one of us, and suffered as we do. As we go through the trials of life, help us to realize that you are with us at all times and in all things; that we have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds us for eternity. In the security of your embrace we pray. Amen. (Enriching Our Worship: 2, p. 69)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)

Daily Office Gospel, Mark 14:1-11

14:1It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2for they said, ‘Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.’

3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4But some were there who said to one another in anger, ‘Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.’ And they scolded her. 6But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.’

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer