In John’s gospel for this week, Mary uses an extraordinarily expensive perfumed oil to anoint Jesus in a touching moment of love and sacrifice. It is a profound act of humility and a treasured act of service.

In the midst of it, a prudent voice raises a relatable concern over such wastefulness. How could we use that oil that way — we should’ve sold it and given the money to the poor. It is more effective — and theoretically aligned with our stated goals of helping people.

We hear this all of the time in church, especially around stewardship. Perhaps it comes from living in a culture which demonizes waste, praises maximum efficiency, and generally ignores the impacts these goals have on the most vulnerable.

Once again, the prudent expectations many of us were raised on are subverted by Jesus. It is a delicious irony that people today will ironically quote Judas to reject generosity, much like many of us find ourselves siding with Martha in the kitchen or that parable’s laborers who expect to be paid more for arriving early.

There are things and ways we think are inherently good, which isn’t to say they aren’t, but when they don’t align with Jesus, we might find ourselves on the wrong side of things.

Here, once again, shows Mary choosing the better part.