Friday, December 5, 2008

Infant Jesus Museum

Yesterday we went to the Infant Jesus Museum located in the church of the same name. I honestly went to laugh at the display, and found it incredulous that it even exists. To enter the museum, we walked up a circular stairway surrounded by pictures of the wax baby Jesus clothed in many different ornate outfits. Once we finally reached the museum, we got to see the actual extravagant outfits in glass display cases, along with the actual jewel-studded crown the wax figurine wears, and the three lace slips that go underneath the dresses. Oh yes. It was good.

As we descended the stairwell, surrounded by the baby Jesus fashion show, Caroline commented that although people make fun of such elaborate uses of money, it was similar to the woman pouring the expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. Some of the disciples complained because the money could have been better used, to feed the poor, but Jesus replied, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. Truly I saw to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

After Caroline mentioned this, I responded that the two circumstances were quite different, and after looking at Jesus’ exact response I feel that with more certainty. It does raise a point, however, since in general I have been struggling with the church’s obvious use of money for elaborate buildings and artwork… Although I still believe that the church should be using far more of its resources to help the poor and relieve oppression, since that is at the heart of Jesus’ message, being reminded of the woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and his response to the disciple’s critique of her actions has made me reevaluate my critique of the church. Maybe there are times when God can be glorified by the money being used for a different reason than helping the poor.

eks

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