When a woman breaks open a flask of very expensive ointment (spikenard) and pours it over Christ's head, all who witness this event scoff and proclaim it a great waste of money. Yet, Jesus defends the woman...even going so far as to say, "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9).
In an attempt to clarify and name her, the Western Church has come to identify this woman as Mary Magdalen, while the Eastern Church says it is Mary of Bethany - the sister of Lazarus. Yet there is still the possibility that it is simply an unnamed woman lost to history. The important fact to remember, however, is her good deed within that moment.
The woman honored Christ by repenting of her former life, sacrificing the costly ointment out of love and respect, and in the end her actions are remembered throughout eternity...even if her identity isn't!
Fr. John
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