Last week I sat in the beautiful Wang Theater, next to a young woman who was perhaps the number one advocate of the group that was performing.  On this night I heard the powerful and beautiful voices of a group, “Il Divo,” though when I bought the tickets I thought they were a different group.  Imagine my surprise when I checked my I-pod playlist and discovered the “tenors” I loved were in fact not “Il Divo.” The tickets were non-refundable- so of course I went to the performance.  (My wonderful husband took me even though the Celtics had a playoff game during this same time.)  I had no idea who this group was, but fortunately they were excellent.

As mentioned, I was seated next to a woman who certainly should have been president of the group’s fan club. This young woman had 5,000 picture of “Il Divo” on her phone and knew every detail of their lives.  She was seemingly entranced during every song.  Her spontaneous interactions to comments from the group members would have made one think she was part of their family.  She had studied them…and in her words – was “obsessed” with them.   I learned that she had sat in that same seat (front and center) at the concert the previous night.  Wow.  This was a devoted fan.

She also had in her possession four roses that she hoped to present to each man in the quartet.  At one point during the concert, a beautiful young woman sitting near the front put a rose on the stage next to the one “single” singer.  So, a little later in the show this young woman made her way toward the stage.  She was stopped by an usher and came back to her seat disheartened.  She whispered, “I guess I’m not pretty enough or “V.I.P” enough.  I felt sad for this young woman.  I realized that though “Il Divo” means “divine performer,” there is only one who is divine and won’t disappoint.

I thought about two other women who gave gifts.

Mark 14:3-9

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

[4] Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? [5] It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

[6] “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [7] The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. [8] She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. [9] I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Mark 12:41-44

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. [42] But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

[43] Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. [44] They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.”

I hope I see this woman again.  I want her to get to know the true divine one; who thinks she is not only beautiful and valuable  – but also “V.I.P.” enough to die for.  Jesus values us – and as shown in the scriptures above, notices our devotion and love for him.

Reminded of this I ask myself – am I giving him not just four roses – but my all?