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?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. 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.”
Imagine... Mary of Bethany and Martha invited you to dinner with Jesus as the guest of honor. You witness first hand Mary anointing Jesus' feet with spikenard. The fragrance is quite overpowering yet pleasant. The cost of the oil doesn't concern you much. The thing is you can't really understand is why Judas questions the Lord about three hundred days' wages for the poor. How rude! (Everybody in town knows he's a thief and a swindler!) The one thing that touches your heart the most is Mary. She treats Jesus' feet with such care and compassion. You see the immense LOVE inside her every movement. The smile on her beautiful face tells a hidden secret. Mary is thankful that the Lord raised her brother Lazarus from the dead. She feels close to him. She wants him comfortable. She loves Jesus with all of her heart, mind and soul.
In only a few short days the scripture readings will take a turn for the worst. Christ's passion is not nice in any sense of the word. It's grueling, demeaning, horrific, painful, and humiliating. However, in today's reading we can pause and embrace Christ's positive impact on his closest friends.
Anointing with love.... When I think of Mary, I think of other women who care for their spouses and their children with tremendous love. Through thick and thin they serve and support; they rarely complain! Every action and breath they take is a form of anointing with love. These women are amazing!
You will not always have me We may no longer have Christ in human flesh but we definitely have him through the Holy Spirit! The Spirit is with us as we journey through Holy Week. As we go through Christ's passion, we must remember the goodness he has brought to the world! Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep hoping. Remain faithful!
Be like Mary of Bethany - loving and supporting. Let go of the Judas attitude!
Many blessings to you during Holy Week 2015!
-J.
In only a few short days the scripture readings will take a turn for the worst. Christ's passion is not nice in any sense of the word. It's grueling, demeaning, horrific, painful, and humiliating. However, in today's reading we can pause and embrace Christ's positive impact on his closest friends.
Anointing with love.... When I think of Mary, I think of other women who care for their spouses and their children with tremendous love. Through thick and thin they serve and support; they rarely complain! Every action and breath they take is a form of anointing with love. These women are amazing!
You will not always have me We may no longer have Christ in human flesh but we definitely have him through the Holy Spirit! The Spirit is with us as we journey through Holy Week. As we go through Christ's passion, we must remember the goodness he has brought to the world! Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep hoping. Remain faithful!
Be like Mary of Bethany - loving and supporting. Let go of the Judas attitude!
Many blessings to you during Holy Week 2015!
-J.
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