Lenten Reflections for

Broken and poured out.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus performed a miracle of raising his beloved friend Lazarus from the grave. Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha had prepared a thanksgiving banquet in honor of Jesus who had returned to celebrate the Passover which was coming; but, that's not how it all began.  Jesus received news that his friend Lazarus was ill; but he delayed his coming and soon news of Lazarus' death was made known. Jesus and his disciples went to the town where his friend had died. Jesus was met on the road by Martha and then by by Mary who came to the road where Jesus was. Mary’s grief was powerful, so much so that Jesus was affected by it to the point that he too wept. But  all of this would be a very short mourning period because Jesus would call Lazarus out of the tombin front of many witneses.

Mary's grief would change from saddness to stunned joy, and later she would again weep at the loss of Jesus. It was why Mary was moved to do what she did instead of helping prepare a feast for Jesus after raising Lazarus from the dead. Mary did something incredibly insightful; an act of pure love, she would break open an alabaster jar of perfumed oil and pour it all over Jesus. 

The oil was highly expensive (over a year's wages). She annointed Jesus, not only in love for what he had done for her brother but also in preparing Jesus for his own death and burial. What an act of devotion and love.

In preparation for Easter, what within you are you willing to break and allow to be poured out for Jesus in your act of devotion and love? Today pray for the courage to go all the way in an extravigant display of your love and devotion to Christ. 

Read: John 12:1-11

Prayer of consecration

Lord,

I confess my sins and failures to you and I am very sorry for having sinned against You.  Give me the strength to seek and accept Your grace and forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you poured yourself out completely and died for me so that I would have eternal life. I claim that wonderful and indescribable gift of salvation.

Create a pure heart in me, refresh my spirit and renew my mind and body.

I consecrate myself to you Lord and ask that you use me according to your holy will.

I pray in Jesus name.

Amen