Faith is less understood today than it was in past generations. Today, many people are convinced that faith is a waste of time. Yet, this isn't a new situation. In today's sermon, we learn that sometimes the people in Jesus' day were just as critical. Mary shows special devotion to Jesus, but is criticized for it too. The story helps us understand how best to worship God in an indifferent world, and reminds us that what matters most is to serve Him regardless of what it looks like to others

Scripture references: John 12:1-8

Preached on the Fifth Sunday in Lent, April 7, 2019 by Rev. Stephen Silverthorne

Sermon Highlights* Westerners increasingly live without God * Faith seems like a waste of time to many people * Mary gives an appropriate response to Jesus' goodness * She doesn't care what people think * We worship to give an appropriate response to Jesus' goodness * We shouldn't care what people think * Church helps us serve our neighbour better * There is room for different personalities to serve Jesus * By serving Jesus we bring brightness to our world

Further Reading* The Lady Vanishes, directed by Alfred Hitchcock * Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzche. The source of "God is dead" quote * More on the life of St. Lawrence

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