Starter:
[In pairs] Tell of some embrassing incident in which you were involved

Worship:

Reading: John 12. 1-8
Read aloud, then allow time for everyone to re-read it for themselves along with the commentary and the questions – and reflect alone.

Commentary:
Jesus we know shared a close friendship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus; he probably frequently visited their house in Bethany. When Mary comes in with the ointment she does four remarkable things which could have been construed as embrassing for Jesus and seen as inappropriate by many, in the society of the day; a) she loosens her hair which no woman would do in public with men present, b) pours balm on Jesus feet which also was just "not done"; c) she touches and caresses a rabbi's feet and d) wipes away the ointment with her hair. In the other gospels the woman is not named, here she is named as Mary. She is not a stranger, she is in her own home and she is a friend of Jesus but it is a peculiar event. She is showing her love and devotion to Jesus; she is extravangant and excessive, "over the top" we might say today. Judas is quick to point this out. The cost of the ointment was probably a labourers annual salary. The objections to her actions fly around the room. Jesus dismisses them all. Her knows what was in Mary's heart. It is however odd that Jesus, the champion of the poor, seems to feel on this occasion it is not inappropriate to have done this action or used this precious ointment in this way. Nothing we give to him and for him is a waste.

It happens at Bethany on the way to the Passion and cross. It is a kind of anointing before his burial. His impending death governs the theme. Perhaps we have wirtten in more meanings to this story than Mary intended. Yet God uses our acts beyond our intentions.

Personal Focus Questions:

2. Is your devotion to Jesus "extravagant" or does he have to "fit in"
    after all the others demands and priorities?

3. How do you express your extravangance for Christ?

4. How do you express yourself in worship, do you feel free or restricted?

Share together in threes the results of your individual reflection.

Return together as a group and share any insights.
Now together discuss these questions.

Life Focus Questions:

1. How do you respond to people who do and say things you
     feel are inappropriate?

2. How does your church community respond to people who do and
    say things regarded as in appropriate?

3. How does the model of Christians being like a "fragrance filling and
    penetrating the whole community" sound to you? (verse 3)
    How can we live that out?

4. How does your spending as a church community balance the need for
    decorations and furnishings in the place of worship (to make it beautiful)
    with giving to charities who work to alieviate poverty?
    Is the balance right?
    How might you decorate your church for Easter?
    Will it be extravagant?
    Should it be?

5. Who are "the poor" in your community?

6. Who are "the poor" in our society?

7. What can we do to help them?

Review:
Has this reflection helped you focus on your relationship with Jesus Christ
and how you show it in your daily living?

Prayer concerns:
Pray for your church as it prepares for Holy Week and Easter.
Pray for all who will worship there.
Pray for those who are poor and ask for guidance to know how to respond
to them in love.