READ: Mark 14:3-9
3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

REFLECT: We live in a day when everything we do is judged according to whether it is useful or productive. In our jobs we ask whether an activity or even a coworker is “adding value.” If not, then we make a change. Why? Because only what is sensible and profitable matters.

Those present there that day this woman poured this very expensive jar of perfume over Jesus’ head were very quick to offer their own economic assessment of what she’d done; “what a waste,” they said. Then added, “think of all the good that could have been done.”

What we have here is a clash of values, between the values of productivity and economics and the values of love and devotion. And what she did clearly seemed wasteful.

To God, generosity cannot be reduced to a measure of social impact. Devotion is not wasted. And love cannot be captured in an accounting formula.

In fact, while the poor do need money or at least what money can buy, they also, even more, need what money cannot buy; kindness and love. Generosity is not measured solely or even primarily by the size of the gift but by the sacrifice.

Mary gave what she did out of gratitude and devotion. And what she did, Jesus said, was not just an expensive or even useful things, but something “beautiful.”

Toward the end, Jesus adds a curious statement; “she did what she could.” What does he mean? That it’s too bad she couldn’t have done more? Actually, it’s the opposite. Whatever it is we can do for Jesus, no matter how big or how small, is enough. Our friend here had a valuable gift. And then she spent it all, wastefully, many thought, on Jesus. In so doing, Jesus says, “she did what she could.” But even if she had given a very small gift, say two small coins (Mark 12:41-44), it too would have been enough.

RESPOND: What does this have to do with us? How about this: Ask yourself, what beautiful, morally lovely, extravert, or even wasteful thing can I do for Jesus right now? And don’t hesitate because you can’t do something “big.” Do what you can. Jesus tells us that it will be enough.