Fragrance of Holy Desire

Monday of Holy Week

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Gospel of John 12:1-11

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard

and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?”.....

So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

 As I was looking for an image to accompany today's gospel reading, I came across "Spikenard of Mary Annointing Oil" made by a modern-day Jerusalem company.  There's a whole new marketing trend to sell herbs, spices and fragrance oils used in biblical times.  (In my own home, I have frankincense and myrrh essential oils along with herbs rue and sage growing in my backyard.) Spikenard has a very sweet scent known for its calming and soothing properties. Used along with myrrh, it helped prepare the body for burial.

What a beautiful gesture on Mary's part that she loved and cared for Jesus so much she anointed his feet with expensive fragranced oil.  I'm sure his feet were dirty, smelly and sore from the miles of walking in the desert sand.  He tirelessly served others.  Why not take some time for a little pampering himself?  His ministry was not an easy one full of stress.  Judas didn't see the significance of the fragrance of holy desire in Mary's charitable act.  All he saw was a waste of money for the poor.  Of course, we all know Judas' hidden agenda - steal money and pocket it for himself.   Mary desired holiness whereas Judas only desired wealth and profits.  

I've been studying Saint Catherine of Siena's "The Dialogue" and came across the following quote.  The speaker is God himself addressing Saint Catherine in a mystical expression:

"And if you open your mind's eye you will see that the Holy Spirit weeps in the person of every one of my servants who offers me the fragrance of holy desire and constant humble prayer."

Mary humbly served Jesus despite judgment and ridicule by Judas.  Her ointment and drying of Our Lord's feet with her long hair was a form prayer.  It was a lowly act but done out of complete love and fidelity. She believed in Jesus and all he stood for.   Jesus knew his death loomed; therefore, he suggest Mary keep the ointment for his burial.  What did Mary think of Jesus defending her? Did it cross her mind that Our Lord may be dying sooner than later? Most likely not! In her mind, Jesus would always be near her.

The fragrance of holy desire is fresh and sweet smelling.  It doesn't smell bitter, foul, or rotten.  Such a fragrance is long lasting in that its wearer strives to live a life obedient to God's commandments.  The fragrant life composed of faith, hope, love and charity seeks to follow God's will in ways that will eventually lead to admission into the Kingdom of heaven.  

Would you rather wear a perfume or cologne that smelled heavenly or smelled sickening?

Let us follow Mary's example of love and compassion.  Strive for holiness. Make God the centering force in your life.  During Holy Week, pray that the fragrance of holy desire may be realized in your own heart.  

-J.