Dear Friends,

Today’s Gospel lesson from Mark tells the story of the Woman with the Alabaster Box. This story appears in all three of the synoptic Gospels.

This story places before us a poignant example of how each of us can draw near to Jesus.

I say “can” because the decision to approach Jesus in this manner lies in the purview of our own will. God will not bully us into this response.

Here are a couple of elements in this woman’s response:

Her fundamental posture was repentance. One of the Gospels identified her as a woman “who lived a sinful life.” In this regard, she is not so different from most of us, for we all deal with our passions while living in a sinful world. This courageous woman was willing to bring her wounds to Jesus’ feet—quite literally.
She demonstrated humility. This is David’s “humble and contrite heart” in action, and as his psalm states, God “will not despise” such an offering.
She took the initiative to appear before Jesus, even doing so in front of all his disciples. God waits for us to approach him.
Her offering was costly. She spent a lot of money on this precious perfume and its alabaster container. Jesus accepted this costliness.
Her offering was fitting. Jesus was about to be killed and buried, and the gift of perfume foreshadowed his sacrificial death.

How do we apply this story to our situation today? Most obviously, by approaching Jesus (together with the Father and Holy Spirit) in prayer. We can decide to approach God in humility and tears—and he in return can bless and heal us.

Arvo Pärt’s The Woman with the Alabaster Box follows Matthew’s version of this story.

Yours in Christ,

—Justin