Today’s Reading: Mark 14:3-9

This unknown woman’s actions inspire me. The text doesn’t tell us whether or not she knew Jesus well or if she was a follower. We don’t hear her speak and we know nothing about her; she is just “a woman.” Yet she boldly appears where she wouldn’t have been welcome and she offers an extravagant gift, something larger and more meaningful than anyone would have expected. In fact, her generosity may be unparalleled in the gospels. Jesus says that she has done a beautiful thing for him. I wonder if even he is surprised by her extravagant generosity.

Gift giving has never been my thing; I’m just not very good at it. Yet this woman inspires me to be better. She inspires me to thoughtfully and tangibly bless others in ways that let them know how much they mean to me. Sometimes, it may be extravagant, at least I hope it will be! But I’m moved by what Jesus says: “She did what she could.” Surely even I can do what I can. Surely I can find the time, the energy, the money, the creativity to do what I can to lavish love on the children of God. I wonder how I might be able to do that even today.

What inspires you in this story?