May 24, 2002 By Rev. Alexander Jalso 4 min read

Scripture reading: Matthew 26:6-13. Text: “I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Matthew 26:13. A few days separate us from Memorial Day and let this message not only prepare us for the celebration of this holiday but also make us mindful of the fundamental questions; who, why and for how long will be remembered? As you know the primary purpose of the Memorial Day or Decoration Day is to decorate the graves of all American soldiers and remember their heroic deeds.

An unknown woman’s unforgettable deed.

The situation was tense. Passover was only two days away, and the preparation was in full swing. However, besides the usual expectation of the holiday, there was something else in the air – Jesus’ name. His name became well-known and the people who gathered together in Jerusalem wanted to do more than celebrate the great deliverance from Egypt. They also wished to see and get better acquainted with the Messiah. Jesus’ popularity was so great by this time that the chief priests and the elders wanted to get rid of Him but only after the holiday for the fear of the people’s anger. Please read Matthew 26:1-5.

Everybody had something special in his or her mind: the Israelites – the unique celebration; the chief priests – an evil plan to kill the Messiah; Christ – the crucifixion; the disciples – a prophecy they could not understand and did not want to believe; and a woman – an urge to act before it is too late. Now you know why the disciples could not understand how could this woman “waste” such an expensive ointment on Jesus, see 8-9 verses, and why did our Lord approve her action, 10-12 verses.

For Matthew it was unimportant to make note of this woman’s name but the Master’s remarks were recorded: “. . . wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” 13th verse.

The dream of the graduates and the memories of the departed.

Many of our young brethren have finished their studies and graduate these days. As they enter into the world of challenge and competition they hope to carry out their plans, show the world what they know and who they are, and make their dreams come true. How many have managed in the past to accomplish all these three: reached their goals, caught their contemporaries’ attention, and left a name to be remembered?

Let three questions stimulate our conscience and help us to reevaluate our thinking:

1. How many people care today what will the clergyman say at their funeral? Unfortunately our dreams are shrinking because they are restricted only to TODAY and MYSELF. In this fast running and computerized world there is not much room left for tomorrow and the neighbor just for NOW and ME.

2. How many people will remember me and for how long? How much more could have been accomplished if we would not care whose idea would be accepted, who would do most of the work, and who would receive the credit? Any good deed, done for the sole purpose of being remembered by it, will be soon forgotten. If you wish to know, who are remembered in the Bible and why, please, read chapter 11 of the letter to the Hebrews.

3. What is more important, to be remembered by the posterity or leave a better world to the next generation? How many “exceptionally talented statesmen” had ordered statues to be erected to immortalize their “greatness” while they were still in power, and just as they died people had destroyed those unpopular mementos.

The good deed of the unknown woman who anointed our Lord as well as the heroes of our glorious history help us to summarize the essence of the Memorial Day; not easy dreams but painful sacrifices and not only great thoughts but also hard life will determine how we will be remembered and how our legacy will be cherished by our children and grandchildren.

Nothing is more suitable to close a Memorial Day meditation than the words of our Savior he spoke when he had asked the disciples to remember his sacrificial death: ” . . . the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'” 1 Corinthians 11:23-24.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.