Wordless

We were talking about writing and what it means to us. She said how often we are concerned about how what we write will be received. Is it any good? Will the reader like it? Will it be helpful? Will it resonate? While, of course, we hope that what we write is meaningful to someone, I think we sometimes miss the importance of the act of expression. We express ourselves through writing or acting or the visual arts or any other number of ways. We must express ourselves. We need to express ourselves. I am learning to let go, to express without being too attached to the outcome.

It is that way with the love and affection we have for other people. While it is important to me that those I care about know it, that the words, "I love you" be said often, that is to benefit the other person. They need to hear it, but I need to say it, too.

At this time of year so signficant to those involved in both Judaism and Christianity, a story from the book of Luke comes to mind. Just days before his death, Jesus was invited to the home of Simon, who was a Pharisee, a religious teacher. It was the custom in those days, that the lowest servant in the home would wash the feet of a visitor, to remove the dust and grime and to refresh.

On this particular visit that did not happen. No one washed Jesus' feet. No servant. No basin. No water. No cloth. There was, however, a woman, a nameless woman, who arrived at Simon's home. She was not a friend of his; in fact, he was offended at her presence because he was very pious and she was a sinner. She had a box of precious ointment with her.

She knelt at Jesus' feet and without saying a word, washed his feet with her tears. Can you imagine the amount of tears needed to wash a pair of dirty feet? She dried them with her long hair. She rubbed the fragrant myrrh on them. Myrrh was used to anoint dead bodies before entombment, a task given to the female family members. Myrrh was also one of the gifts the three kings brought to the Christ child.

It is a perfect picture of loving humility and vulnerability, for she knelt and let her tears flow. Then she used what was thought of as a woman's greatest glory and covering -- her hair -- to wash the least glorious part of his body -- his feet. Could Jesus have gone without his feet being washed? Well now; it would have been nice and gracious on the part of Simon to make sure it was done, but of course Jesus could have done without it. Did he appreciate it? Luke tells us that he certainly did, and praised the woman for it.

But more important, I think, is that the woman needed to express it. She needed to show her love and devotion through a ritual greater than any words she could speak. No fancy turn of the phrase. No poetry. Not even an, "I love you," this expression spoke volumes. Jesus would soon be gone, his earthly ministry over. Did she know this? Certainly there were rumblings and rumors that something must be done about this pesky man who thought he was a king. Did she sense it? Did she know she might not have another opportunity? Did she create an opportunity for herself by showing up, unannounced and uninvited, at the home of an important religious teacher like Simon?

I do not know. But this story has always resonated with me, and I think she expressed herself perfectly and beautifully. If she was anything at all like me, she must have felt so complete after doing such a thing. She took what she had; her tears, her hair and her most costly possession, and used them to say what her voice could not. She expressed herself.

Devotion.

Susan

This story is from Luke 7:36-50