Voices Found: Lavish perfume, lavish love

 

Voices Found #137

She poured the perfume lavishly

She poured the perfume lavishly, a pound of precious

nard, anointing tenderly the feet that

nails too soon would pierce.  With fragrance sweet the

house was filled, with scent of loving deed.

What gift shall I pour out for him who gave his very

life?  the treasure of my heart he seeks, the

precious nard of love.  With fragrance let me 

fill his house, with scent of lavish love.

Words: Delores Dufner, OSB (b. 1939)

Music: Sancta Civitas (1619) Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

Reflection

1 Samuel 8:1, 4-18 is appointed for Proper 9 (closest to July 6) in the Women's Lectionary for the whole Church. In this reading Samuel tells the people who demand that he anoint a monarch, of the  actions of such a King, among them,   "Your daughters he will take to be apothecaries, and cooks and bakers." (vs. 13). 

In her notes to this translation, the author explains her choice of the word "apothecary" to translate  language that could also  be translated "mixers of ointment."  In other Scripture, "mixers" are those who make scented ointment and incense for use in worship, medicine, or perfume.  Gafney used the word "apothecary" to emphasize the skill of the women mixers.

Samuel reminds us that since Biblical times, women have served as  physicians: healing diseases and anointing wounds.  The woman with the ointment jar (see Voices Found #1) who anointed  Jesus was clearly following the same tradition. Nard was a precious ointment  used along with the more famous frankincense and myrrh  to comfort and heal  wounds.   Current scientific research affirms the healing properties of such essential oils.  Perhaps this woman  was not just preparing Jesus spiritually for burial, but also healing his  human wounds: sore feet, infected scrapes, and dry, dusty skin.  Like today's medications, the ointments were costly.  They were an extravagant gift.  We reflect  on  that lavish offering in the hymn,  "Myrrh-bearing Mary."

Meditation:

Voices Found #2

Myrrh-bearing Mary from Magdala came

seeking her Jesus with Spirit aflame;

he had commanded her sickness depart, she now would thank him with

 newness of heart.

Myrrh-bearing Mary from Bethany came

seeking her Jesus who called her by name;

there she anointed his feet and his head

with precious oils that were meant for the dead.

Myrrh-bearing Mary to Calvary came

seeking her Jesus who hung there in shame;

and as the careless and heedless passed by,

hopeless and helpless she watched her Lord die.

Myrrh-bearing Mary to death's garden came

seeking her Jesus who'd borne the world's blame;

heartsick she stood, till she heard the Lord's voice:

"Mary!" he said, "I am risen; rejoice!"

Words: Rae E. Whitney (1927-2023)

Music: Myrrh-bearing Mary, David Hurd 

Meditation: 

 Have you been healed by a woman's loving touch?  What ointments would be in an ointment jar now? What wounds of yours have been healed?  Think of women who have brought you healing, and thank our Gracious God for Tham.

What gift can we bring, what present, what token?

What words can convey it the joy of this day?

What grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing,

what song can we offer in honor and praise?

Jane Marshall (1924-2019)

Voices Found #118, verse 1 

          

                                                    Myrrh