Morning Prayer - The Scent Of Spikenard

Lord Jesus,

my light and my salvation. I come before you in the silence of this new day, while the world around me is still asleep or already rushing on in its noise.

But you are different. You are the Servant whom the Father has chosen and upheld.

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1)

Your strength is not in shouting, nor in loud persuasion. Your way is the path of a quiet yet unstoppable love, a love that does not impose itself, but simply is.

“He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.” (Isaiah 42:2)

What a contrast to the world, which demands attention with its loudness and intrusiveness. But you persist in your truth, faithfully and patiently, until justice is established.

“He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” (Isaiah 42:4)

You are my light and salvation

Lord, you came as a covenant and a light. The Father sent you and holds you by the hand, to be a hope for all of us who wander.

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:6)

Your mission is to rescue me from my prisons—the prisons of fear, sin, despair, and blindness.

“To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42:7)

I remember your arrival in Bethany, where friendship overcame death.

“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.” (John 12:1)

There you were among your own. Martha served, and Lazarus was a living testament to your power.

“Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.” (John 12:2)

And then Mary. Her love knew no calculation. She took the most precious thing she had and gave it all to you.

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3)

Give me a heart that does not calculate

But immediately, a voice was heard, one that measures everything by profit and money. A voice that hides behind a false concern for others.

“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” John 12:5)

But you saw into the heart. You saw that behind this apparent concern lay theft and selfishness.

“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (John 12:6)

You defended her act of love, for you recognized in it a prophetic gesture that foretold your own sacrifice.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” (John 12:7)

You teach me that love for you, expressed in devotion, is the prerequisite for any genuine care for the poor. Give me a heart that recognizes you in every moment.

“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” (John 12:8)

Your light and the life you bring are so powerful that the darkness cannot bear their radiance. That is why they wanted to silence even the living memory of your miracle.

“So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well.” (John 12:10)

“For on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.” (John 12:11)

Lord, may my life today be like the fragrance of the nard oil—an offering of love to you, which spreads and bears witness to you without making a sound.

May my life today lead someone to you.

Amen.

STAY IN TOUCH