Mennonite Weekly Review

In Mennonite circles, simplicity is often striven for; extravagance is rarely praised. Simpler meetinghouses, clothing and cooking have traditionally been the norm. The popularity of More-with-Less Cookbook and Living More with Less are notable demonstrations of this, as are the modern trends toward “going green” in our daily living. Mennonites were known as thrifty before it became trendy. Many of us shop at thrift stores, a popular way to reuse and recycle items we no longer want, while at the same time helping those less fortunate around the world.

Dueckman

The extravagance of the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ head, therefore, stands in stark contrast to the “simple” values we hold dear, perhaps even take pride in.

I know I’m not alone in saying I don’t like spending large amounts of money unnecessarily. I have never bought gourmet food like caviar or spent hundreds of dollars on a night out at a fancy restaurant. I have seen television shows about fantasy weddings with costs of $50,000 to $100,000. I can’t imagine taking a whole year’s wages just to buy perfume to pour on someone’s head.

A symbol of devotion

Yet if we assume frugality to be in line with Christian virtues, Jesus seems to affirm the opposite here. He praises the woman’s lavish expression of love. And why? This extravagant gift symbolizes her total devotion to Jesus.

The disciples’ response sounds very much like the responses I can imagine of people today. Why travel when the world is starving? Is it not selfish to spend money on ourselves to go skiing or on a cruise or a vacation to Hawaii? Why buy Christmas or birthday gifts for our family members, go out to eat at restaurants, or buy tickets to attend sporting events or concerts? That money could be given to the poor. For that matter, why have annual relief sales to support Mennonite Central Committee where we also benefit ourselves by eating food and buying goods? Why not just skip the event altogether and save time and effort by giving the money directly to MCC?

Jesus’ response that the poor will always be with us is not meant as a putdown, but rather a statement of fact. It is not meant for us to quote glibly as an excuse not to help those in need.

The grace to accept a gift

Jesus wisely lets the woman express her devotion in the most lavish way possible because he knows how important it is to her. Often it is more comfortable to be a giver than a receiver. I remember when our children were little, how they would sometimes use their spending money on gifts for me. I would find myself thinking that I wished they wouldn’t spend the little money they had to buy something for me. But then I realized that in order to let them give, I had to receive. To turn down the gift would have crushed their childlike spirit of generosity and giving. I had to accept the gifts given in the spirit of love.

The woman of Bethany recognizes Jesus for who he is. She joins others we have studied throughout this quarter who have encountered Jesus and recognized him for who he is: the Magi, John the Baptist, the Canaanite woman, the blind men, Peter and the other disciples.

May our eyes also be opened to see Jesus in the everyday. May it be our prayer to follow the example of this woman in performing acts of faith when the opportunity arises, or they may never be done at all.

Amy Dueckman, a former staff writer for Mennonite Weekly Review, works for Canadian Mennonite and Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia and is a member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C. *