When is the last time you acted with great abandon, not caring what anyone else thought because you knew in your heart an overflowing love which needed to be expressed? There are many books on love. These books may help us distinguish our love language and how best to speak and show love to others. At other times expressions of love may be assumed, nearly hidden by the busyness of the day, or taken for granted. Love is intentional and at times difficult work.
Love is a simple four-letter word which carries the power to transform life, relationships, communities, and even nations. Human life is so very fragile. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically human life is very fragile. And yet we often live as if life is invisible. We are not always careful with the words and tone of our voice. Emotion has the potential to explode out of our mouth as fear and anger threaten our inward being. However, love a little four-letter word when shared extravagantly with God, self, and others has potential to transform the world.
The Scripture
Judas, one of the twelve disciples cried out with irate injustice as Mary poured the costly perfume upon Jesus. As we approach Holy Week, we discover a love so pure and so extravagant that Jesus commended Mary for her choice as she threw caution to the wind and expressed pure love to Jesus with great abandonment. This is the story found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John, as Jesus dined at the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. From John 12 we discover how amazing Mary’s love was.
Since raising of Lazarus from the dead, (John 11) Jesus had been staying a distance away from Jerusalem. But in John 12, just before Passover he had dinner with his disciples at the home of Lazarus. Lazarus has created quite a commotion once he started living life again. The result was that the same religious leaders who were plotting against Jesus were also out to kill Lazarus a second time.
Into this ethos of fear, tension, as death loomed in the near future, Mary used pure nard, a very valuable perfume without additives, to anoint Jesus. Looking at the same story in the Gospel of Mark we discover that Mary anointed all of Jesus, not just his feet. She poured the perfumed anointment upon his head, which ran down his garments. The fragrance would have clung to his being and clothes through all the events of Holy Week.
What an outpour of extravagant love Mary shared with Jesus in front of the others present at dinner. It was not just in the costly perfume, but the act of anointing Jesus from head to foot with the red, costly nard which smelled like gladiolus. And if that was not astonishing enough, Mary let her hair down in public. That was an improper act for woman with anyone other than her husband. She anointed Jesus feet and wiped them with her hair. This extravagant act underscored the courage, love, and tenderness she unreservedly showered upon him.
Today’s Prayer Practice
Today we are invited to share extravagant love with others, self, and God. This may occur in several ways. You may desire to think of others who are going through a very difficult season of life right at this moment. With your breath prayer, slowly breath in their circumstance which has him, her, or them anguishing. As you exhale, release the despair of circumstances, and radiate the Light and Love of God upon them.
Or perhaps you would like to plan and implement an intentional act or word of love to be lavishly shared with him, her, or others in a community. This action may be one of forgiveness, encouragement, generosity, or being present to the other in a way that is awe inspiring. Maybe you will bring a meal in, share an extended visit with your loved one,or take them to a favorite activity. I know of a community which lavished birthday loved upon one within the community with an hour and a half drive by parade! There is no limit to lavishly loving others. How will you pray for God’s insight to extravagantly love another?
Or maybe you would like to download a heart puzzle and spend time in creative prayer for self, others and God as you throw your heart wide open in love of God for the sake of self, others, and God by coloring the heart and writing prayers upon each piece.
How will you love God extravagantly this day by loving others, loving yourself, and pouring out your heart in love of God?
Enjoy praying.
