Lectionary for Lent C 5
One thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
Collect. Most generous God, no human words or costly gifts can ever express our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us through Christ your Son. Grant that we may gladly give you the one precious gift that we have to bring, the offering of our loyalty and love; and enable us to walk in love for others, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to you. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Reading. Philippians 3:4b-14. Each one of us has a past: The parents we came from, the family we belong to, the education we received, the things we have done, or omitted to do; each and all of these things have shaped us into being the people we are today. Like Paul you may be proud of who you are today, as Paul was in our reading for today. In a Jewish way, Paul had reached the pinnacle of human achievement. At the other extreme you may be ashamed or uncomfortable with the person you have become. In any case Paul is saying when we come to know Jesus, we leave all of that behind; whether it is pride or despair, all is left behind as we begin to trust in Jesus and what he has done for us. In Jesus Christ a new lifestyle and a new future opens for us as we become the person that Jesus has made. Then Paul goes on to say the ultimate goal is resurrection into eternal life!
With Paul, I am sure we would say, we haven’t obtained that yet but we press on, encouraged and empowered because of who Jesus is and what he has done. As we reflect on that we recognise how gracious God has been to us and this gives us the confidence to leave the past in the past, gone and remembered no more. Now we place our trust in the future to which God is leading us. Paul recognises that as God leads us there will be both successes as well as sufferings for we will begin to live in God’s way and not the world’s way. On life’s journey we receive the power to live because we are accompanied by presence of Jesus himself.
Paul looks back on his past life and sees that compared to what Jesus is offering to him now it was all of no lasting value. On the other hand what he now has through Jesus is leading him to a fulfilment which is better than he ever dreamed of. In Christ we too can feel the same!
Prayer. Almighty God before whom all in heaven and earth must bow, we give you all thanks and praise for all that in Jesus Christ you have accomplished. Jesus lives and reigns with you. Through the victory that he has won, all things are being gathered together under your authority. In such a great victory you have called each of us by name and drawn us into your family. Forgive us that so much of our lives are spent in re-living the past. Often we find it hard to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we made; sometimes we are so afraid of making mistakes that we hesitate to step out for you, even when we feel constrained to do so. Oh Lord, give us no other desire than to own no other Lord than Jesus; to hold complete devotion to his name and fix our trust in him alone. Grant that for all of our lives we would have no other view in mind than to honour and serve him. And to you be all glory and honour; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God forever. Amen
Reading. John 12:1-8. John fills this remembrance with symbolism, It occurs after the raising of Lazarus; as such it is a celebration of life, it is the promise of new life that Jesus declares. Jesus had opened the tomb and called Lazarus to come out from the darkness. Thus Lazarus had come back into life, the life that Jesus by his death and resurrection now offers. So that story forms part of what is happening here. John is contrasting the two different reactions to Jesus and this new life he gives. It is a contrast between self sacrifice and being self centred.
Judas had his eye on the material needs. On the surface it is always important to be prudent and not overspend. As the treasurer he has a legitimate right to speak about the finances. However, John reminds us that other factors clouded the issue; “He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.” John 12:6.
This tells us many things about Judas but at the core of what we see is that he is self focussed. His needs and his way are what counts. Even if he was not a thief his way would still have been working against Jesus. Judas is essentially rejecting the offer of new life. He has seen all that Mary has seen, heard more teaching than she would have heard and yet he comes to a very different conclusion. Judas was not interested in the offer from Jesus; he was determined to follow his own agenda.
John contrasts that action with the actions and responses of Mary. Though to us this is a charming incident of devotion towards Jesus, at the time of Jesus it would have been almost unthinkable in polite company. Mary let down her hair in a public spectacle of great humility as she anointed Jesus’ feet. John’s graphic description shows us that for Mary she in lost in love for Jesus. No one else is visible when in his company. In her view he stands alone. John is describing an intimate act of worship.
The gift that Mary offers is one of great extravagance, equivalent to a year’s wages for a worker. A pound, if you think of it as a volume is a large amount. To put the whole box on the feet of Jesus is an action of anointing, or embalming, once more pointing to Jesus’ death and resurrection. John ends this part of his description with the comment that the whole house is filled with perfume. John wants us to understand that the new life that Jesus offers is full of fragrance but more importantly wants us to know that like Mary our full attention needs to be on Him in worship and service.
Prayer. Lord, guard our hearts and minds as we offer ourselves in prayer to you again today. Help us to be diligent and sincere in our praying. May there be no complacency or half- heartedness as we offer praise to you. Rather, help us to be true to ourselves and to you as we bow before your throne of grace, not presuming on your forgiveness but recognising how great is your love for us. Help us by your power to support one another as together we seek to serve you. May our different gifts and skills be combined together in a wonderful harmony of praise and worship that honours you and brings others to join in adoration and wonder. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Collect. God of all generosity, your grace is free, yet it demands our lives. Help us to serve you, not counting the cost; may we be poured out as a living sacrifice, loving the world for love of you and the sake of Christ. Amen.
ericjkirkham.com 