BACKGROUND READING MARK 14: 12-25
Joanna was one of the group of women who follows Jesus. The wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, she was part of the group who used their personal resources to provide for Jesus. Feeling stifled by life at court she went to Capernaum to hear Jesus speak and became a follower.
Joining Jesus in Jerusalem for Passover Joanna was anxious and unsettled. She senses a dark shadow hanging over them. Jesus has started to talk about suffering, death and rising again.
This added to her sense of foreboding. She found a practical outlet for her stress, worrying about where they will celebrate the Passover. Eventually she snaps at Jesus:
“So where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
To her relief, Jesus had it in hand. She went off with Susannah to make the arrangements and found everything as he said it would be.
They gathered to celebrate the Passover, drawing strength from the shared meal and remembering the story of their freedom. They received Jesus’ offering of his body and blood in the form of bread and wine, though they don’t understand its significance.
As Jesus left for Gethsemane with the disciples her discomfort turned to dread. Her friend sums up what they are facing:
“That’s the problem with extravagant love, it leads to extravagant heartbreak.”
Those words also touch the heart our Maundy Thursday liturgies that acknowledge both the best and the worst we can be. We all recognise the intimate link between the love and heartbreak.
How is the extravagant love of Christ helping you to face your heartbreak this Holy Week?
You can listen to Joanna’s story here: