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REFLECTION

Loving receiving is the theme of our reflection. Most of our prayers are dedicated to a myriad of requests, we love to receive from God. Indeed many Christians think God needs nothing from us but we need everything from Him hence we love receiving. In Matthew 26:6-13, the woman with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment teaches us that if we know the value of our salvation in Jesus we shall render our best unto the Lord. Jesus did not reject her gift but received it by allowing her to pour the expensive ointment on His head. Dear friend, the Lord loves to receive our gift, especially when it comes from a humble, cheerful and sincere heart.

It was rather interesting to note that, the disciples who had journeyed with Jesus and had a closer relationship with Him failed to appreciate the importance or value of the lady’s benevolence and her act of service to the Lord. The disciples felt the lady honouring Jesus with such an expensive ointment was wasteful, “…they were indignant, saying “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor” (Matthew 26:8-9) Truly, this was an honest concern from the disciples, but would the disciples have thought about the poor if they had not seen the lady with expensive perfume? In other words, do we only think of the poor when we have wealth? If we do then it is sheer hypocrisy and we must be watchful lest we fall into the temptation of judging others unjustly. Dear friend, it is important to understand that we must give our best to the Lord because He deserves it but at the same time we must continually give to the poor because we are beneficiaries of God’s blessings. Jesus loved the gift from the woman with the alabaster flask and commended her while addressing the disciples that “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:10-13). In other words, in as much as there are poor people in society, the Lord appreciates and loves receiving our thanksgiving and support for His mission. Jesus’ death benefited all, therefore the woman’s gift came to anoint His body for the accomplishment of His mission of saving us. Jesus’ mission is not only to the benefit of His disciples and believers but through the establishment of the Church, the poor will have their needs met, this is one of the reasons the Church was established for which all Christians are called to be Jesus’ ambassadors. The question is, are all churches in our time living up to the mandate of caring for the poor and less privileged? To demonstrate that God loves to receive our best gifts of thanksgiving, Paul writes that “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Shalom.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, we thank you for saving us. Strengthen us to give our best for the furtherance of your mission on earth and the salvation of many. Amen.