John 12.1-8 ‑ the gospel appointed for Lent 5 [C]
Mary could always see past Martha's seeing;
and saw the Ugly Sister ‑ jealous of her authority,
bruised by her loss ‑ brooding and fidgeting
through Martha's bustling and Lazarus's
grave jokes; so Mary for love and warning
fetched her most precious spikenard in its jar;
the Ugly Sister rejoiced when Mary's funereal
perfume filled the air and Judas spoke; she knew
she only had to wait: The hour is coming soon
when I will nail him.
An earlier version was published on the Vaughan Park site last year.
This revision clarifies some perceived and confusing ambiguities.
12 March 2013
© the Revd James M McPherson
Maryborough Qld
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