Return to the Mission

Readings: Is 42:1-7; Jn 12:1-11

It is probably not a coincidence that the church readings begin Holy Week with this reading from Isaiah.  This passage contains words that are said at Jesus’ baptism (when the dove descended and we hear God say the words from Isaiah 42, “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased”).  And this is the passage that Jesus himself cites when he comes out of his time in the desert (after his baptism) and “announces” his ministry.  In many ways, people have spoken of this passage as Jesus’ mission statement: “Open the eyes of the blind, bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.”

These readings take us back to the beginning of his ministry and remind us that Jesus is beloved by God (and so are we, by the way) and that his mission was liberation and reconciliation (and so is ours).

In the gospel, we hear that the risen Lazarus is attracting people, and there’s a scene where Jesus gets anointed with perfume.  Judas remarks that this is a “waste” because the money could have been used to help the poor.  Jesus says his famous, “you will always have the poor with you.” 

Two thoughts on this.  First Jesus doesn’t stop Mary from anointing her.  This is important for me because I am notorious for not letting people do things for me.  I can get caught up in being the giver and not recognizing my needs. Jesus models that we need to be givers AND receivers – so that the gifts and generosity of others get a chance to come forth.

Secondly, the “poor you will always have with you” comment.  Perhaps the best interpretation I have heard on this passage came from Jim Wallis, one of the founders of Sojourners.  He said that Jesus meant this in the sense that, as a follower of Jesus, it is assumed that you will always have the poor with you because you are always in their company.   Jesus might suppose that every day you’ll have the chance to do something for the poor…

As we move through Holy week, maybe we can reflect more on what we think our mission statement might be and how we live that out – this week and into the future.  We might also consider what might it mean to have the “poor always with us” (who would that be, in what ways would we be with them). And especially in these times of the corona virus, let someone else take care of you somehow.  Practice receiving the love and generosity of others.