Last night I was at a united service for the Monday of Holy Week.  As I walked in, I could tell from the objects on the table that the focus was going to be the anointing of Jesus.  That's not right, I thought, today we do overturning the tables in the Temple.  But as I listened to the reading, which was from John 12, I realised something I have overlooked all my life...

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (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.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

Six days before the Passover - whether this is the day the lambs are slaughtered or whether it is the "special sabbath" is a moot point - the events, according to John, happen near enough a week before the crucifixion/resurrection.  John, of course, has his clearing of the Temple story at the start of Jesus' ministry, not the end, chronology is not a big thing here, but presumably the six days has some significance...

It was a gentle service, with time to ponder privately the readings and reflections offered, some lovely hymns and a good place simply "to be".  It also made me pause and think how much I have shaped Holy Week in an image that has become familiar and comfortable, that I, too, need to disturbed or discomfited if only a little.

I knew, what to expect, Lord,

I knew that on this day we remembered that aspect of the story.

I knew that the choice was wrong.

But it wasn't wrong.

Unexpected,

Unfamiliar,

Whilst utterly familair...

And totally expected, if not just now.

Shake me out of my lazy familiarity.

Show me new insights.

Flood my senses with a scent of wonder.

Anoint my feet, my head

With hope,

With love,

With peace.