Lenten reflection on scripture — the woman with the alabaster jar

(Mark 14: 3-9)

In remembrance of her —
break something.
In remembrance of her –
spill something.

In remembrance of her
pour a trip to Hawaii,
tickets to a Broadway show,
dinner at Wendy’s,
a day of babysitting or respite care,
a new puppy,
the kind of fancy flowers
that don’t come
from the grocery store

all over someone
who is dying
from cancer or depression,
an oxycontin addiction,
or a grinding job,
COPD or self-doubt,

instead of going to that
important committee meeting,
public witness,
volunteer activity.

Also, in remembrance of her,
tell a story today,
any story,
one that didn’t change
the outcome of anything,

a story of a small courage
or great extravagance
that might be forgotten
if you don’t tell it.