Monday 6^th April 8 pm.

It is the night before Palm Sunday, and Christ has nearly reached Jerusalem, he was at Bethany, only a short distance from Bethphage where I and many millions of other pilgrims over they years walked the footpath to Jerusalem, walking passed the stone where Christ was believed to have mounted the donkey for his triumphant ride. and as we walked wondering how we would have reacted in Holy Week.

For all his teachings, all the time spent with his disciples he still wasn’t fully understand, things happened which they couldn’t, or perhaps in Judas’ case, wouldn’t understand: we asked ourselves would we be any better.

In doing what she did, Mary had the courage to express who she really was; to be her true self as a faithful disciple of Jesus. Sometimes we too might be inspired by Mary to have the courage to step beyond the confining, and stifling boundaries of the traditional customs of our day in order to show who we really are - to be our true selves in order to be faithful disciples of Jesus.  And, of course, Mary’s extravagant anointing of Jesus’ feet was also a prophetic act -  Mary had been given the insight to see that Jesus’ days on earth were numbered; he would soon face his own death.

This evening as we prepare ourselves for the week ahead with its mystery, sadness and eventual joy let us also remember one of those saints whose courage and insight, someone who having the determination to be true to his Lord, brought Christianity to this country.

Some 1400 years ago a mission was sent to Northumbria from the Christian community on Iona, but they returned back saying ‘those Northumbrians are too rough to take to Christ’s ways – it’s a waste of time’. But St Aidan who had a deep understanding of faith, of Christ’s message, responded ‘Brother perhaps you should give them the milk before you give them the meat of God’s word, put yourself in their shoes rather than trying to force them into our mould.’ In other words don’t give up on them, let’s go out of our comfort zone and show Christ what we are prepared to do for him

That message still applies today.  Does the worldwide church today stop and think how it is portraying the Word. Do we proclaim the Gospel show Christ’s love in a way non-believers find easy to comprehend, or do we expect them to know what we are saying, to have more knowledge than they have. When people watch television reports on synods, general discussion on the Church can they see any connection between what we say is Christ’s message and what the press reports? Do we act like Mary or Aidan, do we go outside our comfort zones, are we prepared to take criticism, or do we still not truly understand Jesus’ message for us today?

Let’s look again at Mary.  Her action of anointing and wiping Jesus’ feet in public was an act of loving and spontaneous generosity. Mary’s deep love and gratitude for Jesus was not expressed by some carefully planned event. Hers a love that was full-to-overflowing with spontaneous, unmeasured giving towards Jesus in response to all that he had done for her and her family. Her loving extravagance was an act of sacrificial giving. Mary was not content with half-hearted gesturing; she went all out; by anointing Jesus with all of the perfume; nearly a whole year’s wages worth; she symbolically was giving herself completely in loving service of Jesus. Her loving, sacrificial example of serving Jesus in this way teaches us that we cannot fix a price on unconditional

love; in true love there is no such thing as waste; true love moves us to act with extravagance and generosity, like Mary.

Aidan’s call was different but he also responded with sacrificial love, he gave his life to bringing Christianity to pagan Northumbria. He wasn’t looking for acclaim, he too was, no doubt, prepared to be criticised, but like Mary he knew what was called of him and he responded whole heartedly.

And us, do we give unselfishly to Jesus, in true thanks for all his goodness to us, or do we just take that goodness for granted.

Spirit of God, you come to us as a wild wind and a gentle breeze, you speak to us in tongues of fire and as a still, small voice, you call us to venture out on the wide ocean of your love:  may we be ever open to speak forth in prophesy and launch ourselves into the mighty wind.  Amen