“You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” John12:8 NRSV
We can imagine this scene at Lazarus’ house. Jesus’ followers are still speaking excitedly of his great healing of Lazarus. They are excited, but they are also frightened of the reaction of the religious and political leaders in Jerusalem. Jesus and his followers have retreated to the safety of Lazarus’ house in Bethany. Now, though, they are planning a very public return to Jerusalem. (see vv. 12-19).
After dinner Jesus and his followers begin to talk of their return to Jerusalem. This is serious business; likely only the leaders are in the room. Then, this woman enters and makes her way to the feet of the Master and begins to annoint his feet with costly perfume. What could she be thinking?
The writer of this Gospel, after the events of Good Friday and Easter, finds it convenient to emphasize Judas’ complaint. We can imagine, though, that every man in the room is complaining. We know for sure that Jesus hears their grumbling. “Leave her alone,” he says. Then, focused on Judas’ particular complaining he adds, “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” What should we be thinking of this response of Jesus?
Is Jesus here giving his followers permission to ignore the needs of the poor? On the contrary, Jesus is here giving his earliest followers some immediate instruction. He is giving us, later followers, instructions as well. We are some of those who do not have Jesus present with us. At least we do not have Jesus’ physical presence and physical needs with us. So, Jesus offers us the poor.
We who no longer have Jesus, certainly have the poor in our midst. Jesus has not given us permission to ignore the least of these – his brothers and sisters. He places us among these brothers and sisters, and places them with us, so that the love and compassion we have for him might be shared with one another. He brings us together so that we might enact the extravagant generosity of Mary in long ago Bethany for our brothers and sisters here and now.
It is no accident that the writer of this Gospel tells us that the final instruction the risen Christ gave to his followers was spoken to Peter. “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter answered, “Lord, you know that I love you.” Then Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep!”
Milton Jordan
Prayer: Keep always before us, dear God, the needs of all our brothers and sisters. May we recognize in their presence with us the real presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
