Never Fearing Wild Things

Mary knew.

She knew death was near

And it silenced her words.

The men gathered around the table that night

Would not let Jesus speak again of his impending death.

They would,

With hands and swords and words and strength

Protect him.

They would not allow such a fate to happen

To their beloved teacher.

But Mary knew.

She knew death was near

And it silenced her words.

The scholars argue –

Tears or nard?

It is unlikely to have happened, they say with their words.

The writers needed a symbolic gesture

To acknowledge Jesus’s rule, kingship,

To set the scene.

But Mary knew.

She knew death was near

And it silenced her words.

Not her heart.

Not in argument or denial.

And so she took perfume,

Or cried tears,

Or reached out her hand,

Or glanced knowingly and deeply into the teacher’s eyes.

She let down her hair,

She knelt,

She anointed.

She knew death was near.

And she let Jesus know her knowing.

Her painful acceptance,

Her broken heart,

Her love.

And God was comforted

On the eve of his own death.

God was held by frail, broken humanity.

Comforted by tears and costly perfume filling the house.

God was known

By a human heart held in hope,

Weak in faith,

Fierce with love.

Mary knew

That death was near

And it silenced her words

Broke her heart

And comforted her God.

Written Easter 2020, based on John 12