Today the calendar marks the fifth Sunday of Lent, and the gospel lesson comes from John. In our reading we find that Jesus in Bethany, and He was invited to a dinner to honor Him. Some believe this dinner is at Lazarus’ home, Matthew and Mark say is at Simon’s- the leper- house. John does not say where it is, but the place is not really important as much as what happened there.

Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters are part of the group that is serving at the dinner, and at some point, during all this, Mary gets a jar with a very expensive perfume, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet. To have a better understanding of why Mary is doing this, we have to go back to Chapter 11 to the story of Lazarus resurrection.

The grief of Mary and Martha ended when they saw their brother alive and free from the illness that cause his death; Mary and Martha’s complaint to Jesus is already forgotten. Remember what they said: “if you had been here, my brother would not have died…” With His miracle, Jesus changed their sorrow into dance. Therefore, Mary and Martha where grateful to Jesus, when Mary poured the perfume on Jesus’ feet her faith was at the highest point, her love for His friend and Savior was deep and pure and by Mary pouring this expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, I think they, -the three of them- wanted to express all their appreciation and love for Jesus.

Now, let’s go back to John 12. At this point Jesus had already announced His death more than once, they already knew He was going to Jerusalem where the religious leaders were waiting for Him to kill Him; Jesus had openly spoken to His disciples about the cross; and now that He is enjoying His last dinner with His friends, Mary came and did something common in those times, for this was the way to honored the guest, by pouring perfume on the head, except than Mary poured it on His feet and the perfume was especial and expensive. Mary did what the disciples should have done if they would have understood Jesus’ sacrificial and salvific act; if they would have understood the reason why Jesus was going to Jerusalem.

There is a physical law “every action brings a reaction” and the reaction of Mary’s action is recorded by John. The reaction to Mary’s love and kindness came from Judas Iscariot, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” John does not say anything about the rest of the disciple’s reaction. Apparently, they remained quiet… and silence is consent. Maybe they agreed with what Judas said. The anointing at Bethany is one of many examples that reveal that they had no idea of what Jesus was doing. Mary’s act of kindness brought anger in Judas. And with those who stayed quite he presented himself as morally superior. For them what Mary did was an offence the poor.

Since everyone was quiet, Jesus came to Mary’s defense, “Leave her alone, it was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

I deeply believe that Jesus defended Mary’s action because He was glad. He was glad because at the end of His earthly ministry someone foresight His death and prepared  His body for the day of His burial; He was glad because a woman expressed her gratitude for everything she had received from Him; He was glad because as far as there are persons with a grateful heart, with that kind of love, it will always be a voice that will tell the story; it will always be a faith that will not give up even in the midst of chaos, or pandemic, war, or even in the midst of an economic collapse.

What can we learn from this faithful woman? A lot, I will share two with you this morning. One, her trust and attitude toward Jesus’ love and kindness. When she was grieving her brother’s death, Jesus brought joy and life; when she was thinking in resurrection at the end of times, Jesus brought eternal life at the moment she most needed it.

Mary is the one to whom Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and life” and after saying it, He prove it by bringing Lazarus back to life. Mary experienced the life Jesus was talking about in a very personal way. Mary is also to whom Jesus said one of the most repeated verses in the New Testament, ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. She believed this and expressed her faith saying: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” Her faith was the preamble to Lazarus resurrection. Her faith brought life amid death and hope amid chaos.

Second thing we can learn is to have a grateful heart. When the presence of Christ fills our hearts, thankfulness overflows even in the darkest of times. Mary believed Jesus was the Messiah when her brother was dead, before his resurrection. A grateful heart praises God for his love, for his promise to be near us when we need Him. Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This morning I would like to invite you to think in two things. One: in all those blessings Jesus have poured out into your life… and two: in all those moments you have called upon our God, and He has helped you. Psalm 103:2 in The New Living Translation of the Bible says, “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”

Mary, just to show her gratefulness brought an especial and expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. What are we willing to bring to Jesus to show him our gratefulness? We can bring many things. Let me tell you what He wants from all of us. Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then –and I will add- only then, you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. “

If you are grateful because Jesus made you happy, tell the story of your happiness; if you are grateful because God has been your refuge and strength, and an ever-present help in trouble, tell the story, because as long as there are grateful hearts there will be a story to tell; as long as there is a faith willing to believe that what God said and promised is true without asking for any proof, there will be people willing to share the message.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17.