A woman initiates an encounter with Jesus
A Woman Anoints Jesus
Fr Marko I. Rupnik &
Atelier of Centro Aletti |
A reading from the holy gospel according to Mark
It was two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened |
I’LL BE ALWAYS LOVING YOU
I am here with you by your side, sheltering your heart from the night. Where ever you go, whatever you do, I’ll be always loving you. I will be your God, your comforter. I will hold you close in my heart. Let me love the world through your heart. Let me heal your wounds by my touch. Let me see the world through your eyes. Let forgiveness shine through your smile. Trisha Watts and Monica O'Brien (c) 1992, Trisha Watts & Monica O’Brien (McInerney) Published by Willow Publishing Pty Ltd, PO Box 1061 Dee Why NSW 2099. All rights reserved |
She Has Touched Me with Authority IN THE MIDST OF THE COMPANY
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In Her Hands I Find Strength
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FOR REFLECTION
Name people – family, colleagues, students, friends - you know who are in need of a ‘touch of tenderness’, and anointing to stir the life within them…. Is there some way you might reach out to one of these people in coming days, weeks, months….. During the singing of this song hold these people in your heart and anoint your hands to give you the courage to reach out…. |
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Some Thoughts and Suggestions:
If appropriate have a sacred space with a lamp/candle and a jar of oil or ointment. If it is a large group have a number of small dishes of oil / ointment for the final anointing. You will notice that the gospel text about the woman is preceded by the religious leaders scheming to do away with Jesus and followed by one of his disciples, Judas, plotting to hand Jesus over to the High Priests. The context makes the gesture of the woman more poignant. I would suggest beginning with a reading of the anointing text. You might like to get people to take the part of narrator, the woman and Jesus as a way of strengthening the narrative. After a time of quiet, you could invite people to share an insight with the person next to them. Then read the text again but in the context of the gospel which precedes and follows it. This could add poignancy to the narrative and allow the response: I’ll be always loving you to speak from a deeper place. Invite someone to read Janet Morley’s poem: In the midst of the company. Before reading let the people know that this reading will be followed by a time of quiet and then they will be invited to speak a word or phrase that touched them. Then invite some quiet conversation about the poem with the person next to them. If appropriate and there is time you could invite wider sharing in the gathered community. Follow this with some personal time to ponder the questions so that the text speaks to the daily life of people and the community. If appropriate have the ritual of anointing during the singing of Hands. Have some small containers of oil or cream so people can anoint their hands. Where they are placed will depend upon how the group is gathered. One on each table if seated at tables; in the centre if seated in a circle. Scented oil or cream if possible, as the aroma lingers and can be a reminder as people resume their daily routine. Some wisdom from our leader, Pope Francis
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