The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
Mark 14:7 and 8
BSB
Read Mark 14 in a modern translation BSB
Read the whole chapter (Mark 14)
What she could
People criticised the woman who poured costly oil over his head. Jesus answers with a well-known line from Deuteronomy: the poor will always be among you. The same passage says that this is why you must open your hand to them. Not an excuse, then, but a lasting task.
About the woman he says: she has done what she could. She couldn't solve poverty or stop his death. But she could do this one thing, at this moment. Sometimes that is enough.
Question for today
What one thing is within my reach today, even if I can't fix everything?
Prayer
Lord, I see so much I can't change. Keep me from losing heart over it, and let me do what I can. Amen.
My prayer
With your own thought · only on this deviceOne of the 491 words of Jesus on this site, from the temple to Revelation. See all the words in order →