milk & honey mamas

Acceptance

Written by Kristen

Theological Background

 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 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: 6-7

Mark 14:1-11. The tensions continue to build. On Wednesday, Mark develops the need for a traitor, and Judas blots his betrayal of Jesus. Mark also casts the twelve followers of Jesus as failed disciples, emphasizing their misunderstandings and resistance to Jesus’ prophecies about his own death and resurrection.

In contrast, an unnamed woman is depicted as perhaps the first Christian, and certainly as a model leader. Before the empty tomb, she believes in Christ’s mission. Without resistance to what will come to pass, she annoints him for death and burial.

The failed disciples are perhaps a warning to all who will read the narrative: the implications of the journey with Jesus are not always easy or comfortable. We must face his death (Borg and Crossan).

Story

Contributed by Kristen

On Wednesday, the powerful leaders were looking for a way to condemn Jesus. Jesus knew it. He knew that he would not escape him. He knew that he would die. He tried to tell his friends, but it was too sad for them to bear. They could not understand. They wanted the story to be different.

One of Jesus’ friends, though, had stopped believing. I don’t know what happened, or what was hurting in his heart, but he heard Jesus’ words and felt empty inside. One dark night, he came to the powerful leaders who wanted to stop Jesus. He said, “I will betray him. I will help you.” The powerful leaders were very happy, and they started making plans. 

Jesus knew what was going to happen. He knew that this was the way the story would be. And he was calm, but he was lonely.

One of his friends, a woman with a quiet voice and long, dark hair, believed him. She knew, deep in her heart, that she could trust Jesus. When he said he would die, she was sad. But she trusted that things would still be okay. She wanted to do something to show Jesus that he was not alone, that there were friends who would stand by him. So she came, quietly, one night with a jar of very precious oil, and she poured it over Jesus, gently smoothing it into his skin.

His disciples were shocked, “hey,” they said, “what is this?!” They did not understand. But Jesus did. He said, simply, “she is preparing my body to die.” The disciples did not understand, but the woman did.

She and Jesus looked at each other for a long time, and their eyes were sad. But Jesus was comforted, and knew he was not alone. 

Activity

Read Easter stories as a family (Check out our Easter book list, here!)

Poem

Imperatives, Part 2 of Mysteries of the Incarnation 

KATHLEEN NORRIS 

Look at the birds 

Consider the lilies 

Drink ye all of it 

Ask 

Seek

Knock

Enter by the narrow gate 

Do not be anxious 

Judge not; do not give dogs what is holy 

Go: be it done for you 

Do not be afraid 

Maiden, arise 

Young man, I say, arise 

Stretch out your hand 

Stand up, be still

Rise, let us be going . . .

Love

Forgive

Remember me

Song

Art