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GENEROSITY AND CRITICISM (MARK 14:1-9)

REFLECTION 

Generosity and Criticism” is the theme for our reflection. Generosity is the willingness to give or support others. Criticism is the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. We shall reflect on the fact that being generous to the poor is a collective responsibility; therefore, we must desist from criticising others for their generous or gracious acts.

A woman comes to show her deepest appreciation and generosity to Jesus. She “…came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head” (Mark 14:3). Her generosity to Jesus was rather criticised by some of the people around. “Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.” (Mark 14:4-5). In other words, they quantified her generosity in terms of money’s worth and suggested that it could have been used to cater for the poor. A criticism that begrudged the generosity of the woman.

These people seem to be right to say that the woman could have redirected her generosity toward the poor instead of “wasting” it on Jesus. However, these people failed to question why the poor existed in the first place. The woman would not have poured the expensive perfume on Jesus’ head if Jesus did not mean anything to her and the class of people she belonged to in an unjust society where women were second-class citizens. The woman saw in Jesus the hope for the poor and marginalised. Jesus cared and showed compassion to all manner of persons He came across, including the woman with the expensive perfume. Conversely, what have the religious and political leaders done for the poor and marginalised? The Chief Priest and teachers of the law ought to focus on protecting the poor rather than supporting a system that extorts money from them and impoverishes them, but they failed woefully in doing that. When Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and rottenness, “the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him” (Mark 14:1). 

Jesus teaches the people that the woman’s act of kindness to Him, will not affect the poor in any way for ” The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.” (Mark 14:7) In other words, Jesus was saying to the people that do not begrudge or judge the pure intention of a generous person, if you care about the poor then help them too, the poor will always be among you so long as the Empire of which you are part of continues to neglect them and refuses to put in measures to protect them. Giving to the poor and helping the marginalised is the responsibility of all, and not only those who have wealth or possess valuable resources, such as the woman with the expensive perfume. The people who criticised the woman for her generosity did not see themselves as part of the reason why the poor will always be in society; they were indirectly blaming the woman for being the reason that the poor may not receive help, since she was wasting a precious perfume which could be sold to cater for the poor. 

My dear friend, before you criticise other people for the good they are doing, do you first ask yourself what your contribution has been to your church and society? There are people in our churches and country who are professional grumblers, complainers, critics, gossipers and slanderers who see nothing good in the hard work and contribution of others; meanwhile, they contribute nothing or do less to help the church, community and the country in which they live. We are all stewards of God’s blessing. We are expected to use our resources (time, money, body, wealth) to serve God and humanity. We should appreciate and learn to encourage one another to do God’s will by giving towards the growth of the church and sharing with the poor to support the government’s poverty alleviation policy and interventions.  Jesus commended the generosity of the woman by saying, “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:8-9) The big question is what you will be remembered for and what the Lord will say about you on the judgment day? Always do your best and what you can to serve God and humanity. Shalom.

PRAYER 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US TO REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS OF LIFE. BLESS US TO BE GENEROUS TO THE POOR AND ALSO SUPPORT YOUR MISSION THROUGH THE CHURCH. AMEN