The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-05

THE REPRO0F Verse l0),-A company OF men
murmuring at the act of woman presented an
interesting spectacle, and the attention Of Jesus
was directed TO il. However gently he may have
spoken, there was something Of command and
much Of authority as lie said to the men: "Let
her alone" Mark xiv: o. why trouble ye the
woman?' he added. Knowing something "
Mary's sensitive nature, for lie had co,nmuned
with her on another occasion CLuke y: i2). lie
sought to relieve her embarrassment. To be
doubtful concerning something done is trouble.
A conscientious soul prompted to any act is dis
tressed il afterward that act is condemned. and
the discomfort is greatly increased when those
who disapproye near to the Saviour. 1t hurt
to have the members Of the same church call
ia question what we do, even though they only
claim that something better might have been
done. Besides, Mary had done good deed.
She had wrought a commendable work upon
Jesus, and lie espoused her cause, resolved that
her good should not be evil spoken OF e Pet,
ii; %. 1t was Jesus and Mary against the
whole company
THE REASON Verse ll).-Thcre the episode
might have been closed. 1t was certainly
proper for Jesus to order His disciples and TO
defend a woman against them, and His word
might have been final. They might we'll relapse
into silence, and allow the feast to proceed with
lie proceeded 10 argue the case somewhat. As
to the poor, He was not indifferent. lie had
shown His interest in them (Afatt. xi: %, in
various ways Niark xii: i3), and had enoined
upon others kindly service to them rather than
the rich Uuke xiv; l3), And He Himself WAS
clased among them Dlatt. vii: 20). But,
while ministry to the poor was a plain precept
Of religion (proY. xiv: 2D, there was LO spe.
cal urgency for its exercise at that time. The
oil nI,1 II. L..
(Deut. xy; III. On the contrary Jesus would
he with the disciples only short time, about
a week, OF the fact OF His death and the mode
Of il lie had repeatedly told them. They ought
to have known that lie expected TO be killed dur
ing the Passover week in the city which YVES hut
little distance from them. With that fact be-
fore them they ought not to complain OF any
service to Him.
THE MOTIVE yerse l2).--Between service
rendered to the poor who gather constantly
about US, in numbers beyond power OF relief who
are always ready TO receive, and a service TO One
who is deaEer than all others. who will soon
depart, there could be no choice. Jesus pressed
this thought still further into the realm OF mo-
tive. Amounting was very ancient custom
with various significance II was employed by
Jacob in consecra'ing a pillar (Gen xviii: lS),
on his way to IIarln. 1t was used In ritual
| services in setting apart priests to the sacred
! Office Uev, yii l2), also in inducing kings Il
Sam. X; y, and in recognizing prophets. II
was also a distinction OF honor bestowed upon
guests, and was doubtless so intended by Mary
| in this instance. The bodies of the dead were
| generally embalmed and anolnted Mark xvi; -.
Without assuming that Mary had this last pur
| pose in view, Jesus informed the company. that
the act might stand for that. BY SO suggest
ing lie recalled His death, removed any necessity
! for those acts OF affection commonly bestowed