My father was a wealthy man and when he died he left his large home and holdings to his three children. I live with my sister and brother. My brother is in the military. My sister is a natural-
We listen to his words and believe he was sent from God. When my brother became very ill we sent for Jesus. My brother died before Jesus could get to our house. Jesus performed a miracle. When he saw my brother he called to him to get up – and he did! What a man! Son of God for sure.
Now I caused a bit of a stir when Jesus visited just before the celebration of Passover. My sister Martha was in her glory cooking and feeding Jesus and his disciples. While she worked I was prompted to bring out our finest oil and annoint his feet with it. Then I wiped his feet with my long dark hair. In this way I acknowledged the spirit of God was seen in Jesus. Judas, his disciple, scolded me for wasting precious oil which could have been sold and profits given to the poor as it was worth a year’s wages.
Jesus said “Leave her alone. It was intended that she save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you but you will not always have me.”
I am MARY from Bethany.
Copyright ©2009.
Mary from Bethany
John 11 & 12
– For oral reading with permission by the author of this sketch: Fran Corcoran