"Six days before Passover ..." Jesus is six days away from death.
This kind act of Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, draws criticism from Judas (who was also at the meal). Judas complains that this expensive oil could have been sold and the money given to the poor.
Jesus speaks up and defends Mary. He praises Mary's generous gift. He himself was a person of largesse. He wasn't rich, but he was generous.
His first miracle in John's Gospel was the miracle of the wine at Cana - six stone water jars of wine (each jar held an estimated 20 gallons!). Then, when Jesus feeds the five thousand with five barley loaves, the fragments left over filled 12 wicker baskets.
Does Jesus carefully measure out the Spirits to you? Or does he lavishly pour his Spirit on you?
Jesus was generous. Mary was generous.
You wonder what Jesus sees in you - a generous heart or something else?
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw