Musings on the Daily Lectionary

In today's gospel reading, a tension that still exists in the church is on display. When a woman pours a jar of incredibly expensive ointment on Jesus (it was worth nearly a year's pay), some folks grumble about the extravagance, complaining that the money could have been better used to help the poor. I've heard similar arguments in congregations when some want to build a beautiful sanctuary and others say that the money would be better used to do ministry for those in need.

Jesus' response has troubled many over the years. "For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me." But there is no callousness toward the poor here, and I'm not sure if there's much general guidance contained in these words. Jesus' death on the cross is drawing near, and, as he says, this sort of opportunity for extravagance will soon cease to exist.

And so we are left with this tension between caring for others and displays made to honor God. Or perhaps not. One of the things I've discovered in my time as a pastor is that generous people tend to be generous on both sides of this tension. The same folks who give extravagantly to renovate the sanctuary often give sacrificially to fund mission.

Now I am aware of people who want to build sanctuaries as monuments to themselves. Perhaps this provides a key for dealing with this tension. Presumably the woman in the gospel reading engages in her extravagant act without ulterior motives. It is simply an act of love on her part. As Christians, we are called to love God and love neighbor. Perhaps if our extravagances can always be rooted in this love, we can live faithfully in the midst this tension.

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