In this fifth Sunday of Lent, we follow along with Jesus and his disciples are almost in Jerusalem and stops in Bethany to eat dinner with his friend, Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead a short time ago. After dinner was eaten and bellies were full, Martha was in the kitchen cleaning dirty dishes. Mary found a place at Jesus' feet and anointed Jesus  with costly nard, which cost about a year's wages. Judas protested as the money could have been used to feed the poor, although he was stealing from the treasury and perhaps wanted the money for himself. We are provoked in this scripture of whether we are serving God's kingdom or our own, loving God or loving ourselves, service or selfishness. 

As we journey with Jesus through the fifth week of the season of Lent, create some time each and every day for self and spiritual reflection.  Ask yourself the following questions as you struggle with being a faithful and devoted disciple  of Jesus Christ:

1. How was I devoted to Jesus today?

2. How was I selfish today and insisted on my own kingdom? 

3. How can I serve Jesus more faithfully and build God's kingdom here on earth? 

Pray about this and spend some time in honest reflection considering how you can be a more faithful and devoted disciple of Jesus. 

God of Love, you know our lives inside and out— the times of joy and laughter, and the times of loss and pain. You accompanied our ancestors of faith into exile and then journeyed with them back to the Promised Land. Jesus, you wept at the grave of Lazarus and then you celebrated at the dinner table with your resurrected friend. Be with us in times of plenty and times of want, and let us rejoice in your presence, for you see us and care for us. In the name of the Embracing Spirit, we pray.  Amen.