Sometime during the final week of Jesus’ life, Mary used a very costly fragrance and humbly anointed the Lord’s head and His feet, even wiping the Lord’s feet with her hair. Some disciples scoffed at the act and complained that the ointment could have been sold and given to the poor. But Jesus rebuked them in turn, and defended the actions of Mary. He even proclaimed, “Truly I tell you: wherever this gospel is proclaimed throughout the world, what she has done will be told as her memorial.”[1] And so it has happened—for 2,000 years, Mary’s worshipful demeanor has been her legacy.
Most of us won’t get statues or plaques or buildings named after us. But what will you do that will be worth remembering? What will be your memorial? Consider this: the best memorial we could hope for is the same as Mary’s. If our legacy is one of serving Jesus, it will be a lasting and significant memorial, far greater than any physical monument.
[1] REB