Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

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178625374 4259410827436766 4060830943388246300 n On Sabbath (4/24/21), Elder Alisa Hood concluded the “My Sister’s Keeper” sermon series with a deeply powerful message entitled, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”

The sermon was taken from Luke 7:37-50, but it could have easily been lifted from the life of any woman desperately seeking a one-on-one with Christ.

The backstory of the dinner guest describes Mary Magdalene, the woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery and dragged out into the streets to be stoned. Jesus did not condemn this woman, but sent her accusers away and forgave her sins. This encounter with Christ changed her life forever. The gratitude and love she felt for him made her want to constantly be in his presence—even if it meant “crashing a party.”

178519547 4259413280769854 4320135017087666000 n Mary did show up uninvited to the home of Simon, where Jesus was the guest of honor. She was not welcome there and knew it, but that did not discourage her mission to praise and worship Jesus. The host and invited guests were mortified that a sinner like Mary dared to approach Jesus, but Mary would not allow their judgmental attitudes to “rob her of this precious moment that was divinely carved out for her by God.”

Those who condemned and shunned her had no idea what Jesus had done for her. He rescued her from a life she felt powerless to leave on her own. And once rescued, she never looked back. Elder Hood stated that “she did what the rich, young ruler refused to do—she let it all go.” Mary “got rid of her little black book” and she exchanged it for an alabaster box.

178716610 4259414664103049 4618897665306082648 n In that alabaster box was the expensive perfume she used to anoint the feet of Jesus after her tears washed them and her hair dried them. Only Mary and Jesus knew the true value of her worship. Those present did not know about Mary’s private pain. They didn’t know about Mary “covering the mirrors in her home because she couldn’t stand to look at what was looking back at her.” Jesus covered her with his righteousness and forgave her sins. Elder Hood spoke a profound word when she stated, “Not one of them achieved the level of intimacy Mary achieved that day.”

178365659 4259412637436585 7365643535145903692 n Elder Hood weaved the story of Mary into a present-day narrative, drawing a parallel to the experience of some who desire to return to Jesus, but are discouraged by “well-meaning” saints who “crush their spirit” instead of nurturing their soul. Elder Hood simply stated, “leave people alone.” Reach out to those who are struggling and encourage them instead of judging and criticizing them. Elder Hood further illustrated the beauty of being covered in Christ’s righteousness, by wrapping herself in a beautiful white covering that bore the words, Love, Righteousness, Forgiven. Elder Hood ended her sermon with a most appropriate message, “I believe we have dined sufficiently.”