“6Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”(Matthew 26:6-13)
When Jesus lodges at Simon the Leper’s house in Bethany, a woman approaches him and anoints his head with expensive, perfumed oil. The Apostles condemn this a “wasteful” act. Jesus rebukes them and claims that, in truth, he is being anointed in preparation for his imminent burial. At this point, Jesus knows that he will soon be crucified. That is why he perceives the woman’s deed as a powerful expression of unconditional love and generosity. Moreover, he disapproves of his disciples’ misplaced criticism and judgment. We must always focus on the positive aspects of others and stop looking for what’s wrong.
When we restrict negative impulses, judgment becomes lovingkindness.
