Come, Let Us Adore Him

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on March 31, 2022

How do we praise and adore God? In Psalm 103:1 we hear, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.” These lines call us to exalt God’s holy name, not only with our voices but with our entire beings, all our very best. How do we attain to this extraordinary, deep spiritual place of giving God our all, in genuine heartfelt praise and adoration?

In this Sunday’s gospel (John 12:1-8), Jesus returns to the village of Bethany where a meal is given in his honor. Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, and other guests were dining while Martha served the meal. Mary on her part sat at Jesus’ feet and anointed them lavishly with a very costly perfume (almost a year’s wages). She then wiped the residue with her hair.

What is the gospel writer telling us through Mary’s actions? You may recall that in the first chapter of the gospel John writes, “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Further, Jesus had proclaimed that the raising of Lazarus was for “God’s glory so that the Son of God be glorified through it.” Jesus raised her brother, Lazarus from death, and Mary’s spiritual eyes were opened. She discerned that it was the power and glory of God’s presence in Jesus Christ, that made Lazarus’ healing possible! This awakening filled her with awe, reverence, and gratitude. God, the Creator, is intimately near, caring, loving, and life-giving. Her response was to humbly kneel at His feet and give lovingly, sacrificially, and extravagantly of herself, and her very best possession, a pound of costly perfume, in praise and adoration. This mattered far more than the social and cultural norms that she was breaking.

Jesus delighted in Mary and affirmed her when Judas objected to her lavish use of the perfume. Mary’s extraordinary spiritual insight and uninhibited self-giving is an eternal emblem of praising and adoring God wholeheartedly, asking nothing in return. In the coming days, Jesus himself will lavish love on His disciples by washing their feet before His passion, His death, and greatest glorification.

As the end of this Lenten season approaches, may we take time to ponder the unfathomable depth, breadth, height of God’s extravagant, self-giving love, His compassion, His power, His grandeur, His holiness, His glory. Then with a heart overflowing with awe and gratitude, come, let us adore Him!

Tags: praise, glory, blessing, anointed, adore

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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