I was glad that chapter 14 hit on a homily day however, because an old friend, I think leads us through the entire chapter, and I think perhaps for me anyway illuminates the Easter message.

While the story of the woman who anointed Jesus is all four gospels, Mark is the primary source of her study.

In spite of the attitude toward in the culture of 1st cent. Jerusalem, this woman is presented as an example of a true disciple of Jesus, who simply put did what she had the power to do.

Denied public witness and voice, she chose to act prophetically and with great compassion.

Power, understood as a gift from God, is the focus of this chapter

Through discipline and commitment, empowerment can assist any of us who chose to experience and realize the power to do what we can

To anoint the head of Jesus meant that the woman had to be standing close behind him. In body language, that meant that a woman standing head and shoulders above Jesus performing an act saved for the dead or newly appointed heads of state would be extremely out of the ordinary.

Her prophetic presence moves us still toward that community where love is made real by the transforming of good works, of both hands and heart.

Bear with me for a few more moments.

Some topics in this essay:
, Jesus Messiah, However… Bear, true disciple, denied public witness, meant woman standing, easter message, meant woman, public witness, woman standing, denied public,