Sunday, April 3
Lent 5 Reflection Guide – When There’s Not One Right Answer
Opening
What is the best gift you’ve ever given or received?
Scripture
John 12:1-8
Scripture Reflection
From a very young age, children are conditioned to believe there is always one right answer, one best answer, in any situation. But life and faith is messier and more complicated than that. This story poses an either/or question: is it better to lavishly care for Jesus, or to feed the poor? Jesus cuts through this false dichotomy with a reminder that there is time for both. How would our journey of faith be different if we discerned how to give the most beautiful within us to God, rather than fight and stress over what the one “right” choice is?
Moment of Silent Reflection
Spend one full minute in silence as you consider the scripture and reflection.
Turn to Wonder
What is the importance of noting, “six days before the Passover” in verse one?1
Imagine you were in the room when this event happened? What did it smell like? What would have been your reaction?
Why might Judas Iscariot have raised a good point in verse 5?
What might Mary’s motivation for this action have been? How is Mary’s action a prefiguring of Jesus’ death?2
Considering Mary’s action shown to be exemplary, what might Jesus mean in verse 8?
What might this passage be calling us to do?
Closing
Close your time together in a manner that is typical for you. Consider sharing joys and prayer concerns, then close in prayer.
God of Extravagance,
We acknowledge that our ways are not always your ways.
We acknowledge that in your economy,
love and service are more precious than the costliness of any item.
Reshape our desires and values that they would come more in line
with the values of your kingdom. Amen.
1We are nearing the death of Jesus.
2Both are acts of selfless, loving service.