Small gestures keep us alive

The anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany (Mark 14:3-9): We are looking at this profound text today as we celebrate Mass at this special place - the State Garden Show in Bad Nenndorf.

Here we are invited to reflect on our actions, our gestures and our relationship with God's creation, which has been given to us as a gift so that we can care for it and manage it as well as possible, as partners with God in his creation.

It is a text from the Gospel that at first glance seems to have nothing to do with the theme of God's creation. However, if we look at this text carefully, if we listen to its message, we can say with all certainty that it does have a lot to do with us, with this moment, with this day, with this place, with all the people who are here.

Because isn't it the little things, the small gestures that keep humanity alive? Small caresses, small gestures of kindness, of affection, a smile, a hug, a look, a word of encouragement, a small seed that we sow, a garden that we tend, a thought of inclusion and solidarity, a precious gesture, an anointing with oil... Small gestures that change the world and make history. As the saying goes: many small gestures in many small places can change the face of the earth.

Mary of Bethany, one of Jesus' disciples, believed this. She did not care about the criticism of the other disciples, entered the house because she knew that Jesus would be there, took the expensive oil that she had probably saved for a long time and poured it over the Master's feet, drying them with her own hair.

She acted decisively, acted confidently, acted from the bottom of her heart to prepare the Master for the path of suffering and agony that awaited him on the cross.

Her gesture at that Last Supper was simple, small, but effective:

It was an unexpected gesture - for the good.

It was a prophetic gesture - aimed at what lay ahead in Jesus' life with his death and resurrection.

It was a powerful gesture - acting with great courage and determination despite the criticism.

It was a gesture that heals, supports, gives affection, strengthens and provides care in the midst of pain and suffering.

With Mary's gesture, the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume she exuded. Mary acted in the face of what was to come, she understood the teachings of her Master, she prepared him for suffering, but she also pointed to the resurrection. She acted with love, trust and fearlessness. Focussed. Even the criticism of the men in the house did not deter her.

All this makes us reflect on our gestures, our actions and our positions.

The Gospel tells us that Mary of Bethany did all that she could, all that was in her power. Have we done everything in our power, or can we do more?

In Brazil, I know people who buy land to plant trees or reforest already degraded areas. Recycling makes waste usable again and soil created through composting produces new food. The world's problem is not a lack of resources, but mismanagement due to greed, individualism, the desire for power and malice. I recently read that 80 per cent of humanity is good. Let's talk more about the wise deeds among us, let's value the good so that it spreads like a seed in the wind and dispels all the evil and lack of love. There are Christian communities and social projects that are committed to planting a vegetable garden whose harvest serves as food on their tables. Indigenous communities are resisting and fighting to preserve their land so that they can continue to live there, to care for and protect what is left on it. Yes, these are small local gestures that, taken together, change the world.

There are certainly many gestures here among us that can be strengthened, supported, encouraged and shared so that they grow and bear fruit.

Small gestures are enough to change the world; small gestures added to many others become big, strong, transformative... What Mary of Bethany did, her small gesture, would be remembered forever. Jesus says: "I assure you: Everywhere in the world where God's saving message is proclaimed, people will also talk about this woman and what she did (Mk 14:9).

We too can ask ourselves how we want to be remembered when we leave here: as those who helped to sow, plant, harvest, tend, preserve, as those who showed solidarity, who helped with ideas, who shared their gifts for the good of their neighbour, as those who join forces and encourage one another so that they do not give up, but persevere in the fight for justice, equality, dignity, sharing and peace.

There are attitudes and gestures that go beyond monetary value: Kindness towards people, towards our brothers and sisters in need, a loving welcome, friendly company. Community life is made up of loving details, not rationalisations and conveniences to suit our tastes. As Jesus said in the Gospel: Let us leave these people to sow good gestures in the world in peace. They are leading a good work!

Dear brothers and sisters, as ELM we would also like to share a concrete gesture today.

We would like to experience a moment of anointing. A moment that strengthens us in our spirituality, that values us as people who are part of God's creation, as people who share so many small gestures of kindness, care, peace and preservation.

This moment of anointing, to which all are invited, empowers us to act, just as Jesus was prepared for his mission by the hands and gestures of a woman. Today we would like to receive a blessing with odourless oil that reminds us that we are a special part of God's creation. If you wish, you can come to an anointing station where a person will apply oil to your hand or forehead and give you a word of blessing.

Those who wish can also visit a stand where we offer various spices and teas to be touched, smelled or chewed, and let ourselves be enveloped by the freshness and touch of God's creation, which reveals its power among us and counts on our support through so many small and wise gestures.

We have here four stations for anointing and two spice stations. Feel free to experience a gesture that strengthens you to be salt and light in this world, in the certainty that every person is loved and valued by God and, like a good spice, gives flavour and spice where they live, making a real difference. Amen!

Pastor Cristina Scherer is an ecumenical co-worker of the ELM and a Brazilian.