RCL Readings 21 March 2010
(5th Sunday of Lent)
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8

There is something extravagant about these readings. The extravagance of God’s love and the extravagance of human response to that love. In worldly terms “what a waste”!

Psalm 126 begins by recalling God’s past act of salvation which met with the response from the people: “our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy” and “the LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced” (v.2 & 3). As we reflect upon God’s saving acts and God’s presence with us our response should likewise be one of unbridled joy and praise. However, the Psalmist realises that life can and does take a negative turn. In such circumstances the Psalmist doesn’t forget the former saving acts of God and only focus on the present tears and troubles, rather the Psalmist prays for God to “restore” so that tears and weeping become shouts of joy. If we, or others, are in a place of tears or weeping let us in our prayers remember God’s past acts of salvation and in the light of them pray for the present.

At first sight it might appear that the reading from Isaiah 43:16-21 flies in the face of such recalling when God says “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old” (v.18). What God is pointing to are the things we normally place our trust in and the tendency to rely only on a past experience (in this case the exodus from Egypt). God declares “I am about to do a new thing” (v.19) – the new thing is not unrelated to God’s past actions and here it is portrayed as a second exodus and calls for a present recognition by the people, hence the question “do you not perceive it?” As we journey in faith what is it that God is doing or about to do that prompts the God-question “do you not perceive it?”

Paul, very aware of the benefits of his background, counts them as “loss” and “rubbish” in comparison to “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:4b-14). Paul’s language is strong as he lays aside the things that would normally put him in good standing in the eyes of others – his credentials and achievements. What is vital for Paul is having “a righteousness … that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith” (v.9). What is vital for you? Where in lies your security? Paul in response to what God has done in Christ lets go “of what lies behind” (the things that ordinarily people would consider important) and “presses on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (v.14). This is counter cultural for us today as it was for Paul. What are the things to leave behind? What is the heavenly call for you?

The Gospel reading (John 12:1-8) contrasts Mary’s response to Jesus with that of Judas. Mary’s response is totally extravagant while Judas hides behind a false high moral ground of concern for the poor. Looked at superficially Mary was wrong and Judas was right – Mary wasted something of great value and Judas questions the appropriateness of the act and speaks up for the poor. Jesus sees the heart and that is revealing! Jesus is not unconcerned for the poor – they are always there and you can and should always do something to alleviate their plight says Jesus. Mary recognises the importance and significance of this moment and responds with extravagant love which is affirmed and accepted by Jesus. This Lent let us get to the heart of the matter – extravagant love. Let us not hide behind a pretend concern for the poor, let our extravagant love be also matched by a costly commitment to fight poverty and injustice in all its forms.

There are moments in life that call for an extravagant response, moments when we must put to one side cold calculation and caution, and give of ourselves wholeheartedly. At the series of meetings I am currently attending one person quoted from the leaving speech of a former Secretary of the Methodist Conference, Revd Brian Beck, when he allegedly spoke of his one regret that "We've not learnt to be as generous as God has been to us."