Jesus, wealth and the poor
Reflection on a reading from today's Church of England Lectionary. 27 September 2021. Mark 14: 1 - 11.
Those who say that we should cut back or stop international development aid so that we can help the poor in our own country but do nothing to help the poor themselves, had their counterparts at the time of Jesus. When the unnamed woman poured expensive perfume essence over Jesus some people demanded to know why she had done so instead of selling it and giving the money to the poor. Indicating that he thought their motives were suspect Jesus told them that the poor would always be with them but that he would be going soon. In fact he said that the woman was preparing him for his death. At this point Judas, the disciple, was so incensed that he determined to betray Jesus to the religious leaders in iireturn for money.
The passage asks us what our attitude is to the relationship between money and helping the poorest in society. It also asks us what our attitude may be towards the agency of women, even wealthy women. Particularly it asks us what we would be prepared to give to and for Jesus.