Isaiah 42: 1-7,
Psalm 27: 1.2.3.13-14,
John 12.1-11 Full Readings
Doing Charity to Jesus
Brethren, as we enter fully into the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ through our observance of this Holy Week and walking with him, let us stop and reflect: where has Jesus done great wonders in my life, and how have I really shown gratitude to him? Of course the biggest sacrifice is still to come, that's, to die for us on the cross, but there are also many things he has done in our lives by which he deserves our gratitude. This is an invitation not to be like Jews who were seeing what Jesus had done as a son of God, but could not be grateful and finally killed him; it's an invitation to be like Mary who anointed Jesus with the most expensive ointment one can ever think of in those days, as a sign of gratitude for what Jesus had done for him, even raising Lazarus, her brother from the dead. Today, let us Reflect on the actions of Mary, Jesus and Judas as presented in the Gospel.
The actions of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with the most expensive ointment of 300 denarii (this was the wage for 300 days as one day would generally be paid with one denarii) and wiping his feet with her hair is an extraordinary action of love. Mary really showed love to Jesus because Jesus had done many things in her life, and had shown her love and above all she knows who Jesus is, the Lord. She therefore wants to make him the centre of her life, the centre of worship and adoration and love him unconditionally that even the expensive ointment is not enough to show that love, she has to use her hair to wipe.
Can you think of what you have done to the person you love most, the special person in your life; does he or she deserve this? More reflectively, think of how you have been grateful to Jesus in your life. What have you done special for him? Of course Jesus is not here physically for us to anoint him like Mary did, but when we do it to our brethren, that is, his gospel heralds, priest and religious, the poor, marginalised and all people; by sheltering then, giving them food, drink, clothing them, helping them when in need, visiting them, inviting them for dinner, and showing all kinds of charity, we are doing not to them but to Jesus, for "whatsoever you do to the rest of my people, that you do unto me" (Mt 25:40). More so to learn from Mary is to make Jesus the centre of our worship, our adoration, our love and our everything that even the riches of this world will not stop us. Is Jesus the centre of our life?
Secondly, we see the actions of Jesus. Firstly, he was with his friends visiting them and dining with them, even those who were considered sinners. It was his mission to identify himself with such people to deliver justice, liberation to all the sinners, oppressed and marginalised. He did this in an extraordinary way, that's , nonviolence and this is a real servant of God whom Isaiah talks about in the first Reading. It's an invitation for us too to use non violence in fighting for Justice. In the Book of Isaiah occur four songs, of which this is the third, sung by a mysterious Servant of the Lord. It is not clear who this Servant is, but he is totally dedicated to the service of the Lord, a disciple who listens devotedly. Through suffering, this Servant brings to fulfilment the salvation which the Lord intends for Israel and for the world. Jesus saw himself in the terms of this Servant; and indeed he is! The four songs feature throughout the liturgy of Holy Week teaching us to become humble servants of God in the footsteps of Jesus.
We also see Jesus' response to the action of the woman and Judas. Jesus also desires love, he loves us and wants us to love him in return, by any actions we would show. Jesus said, leave her alone, she had to keep this event for the day of my burial. You have the poor always with you but you will not always have me. Jesus was not downplaying the importance of caring for the poor; He was emphasizing the importance of offering acts of love and devotion to Him. It was also to disapprove the Judas statement as not to be real and not from the heart, for it was said out of greed. This statement was also prophesying Jesus’ death; since he was to die soon, his friends had to say farewell to him. Despite all our needs and busy schedules, let's always find time to give back to Jesus, and to be with him unconditionally like Mary especially in this Holy Week.
Lastly the action of Judas dwells mostly in our world today. Judas saying that the ointment was to be sold and money given to the poor, was disapproved of by Jesus to be an egoistic statement. It was for his own selfish interests and not really caring for the poor, as his love for money was uncontrollable. Sincerely speaking there are those people who speak good, do good things, act good, but with hidden motives, not for the good of others but for their own selfish interests. This is very dangerous, and today Jesus warns us against that. Let speaking good and doing good be from the heart, for good of others and expecting no gain in return. This is a true calling of Christian Life and Jesus who said let your left hand know not what your right is doing.
As we enter into this the holiest week of the year, we are given this image of Mary lavishing upon Jesus this liter of costly perfumed oil as a way of inviting us to do the same. Though we serve Christ in others who are in need, we must also seek to regularly offer Him devotion and love directly, even in ways that others may think is excessive. Honoring Him, expressing our love, spending time with various devotions, praying for extended periods of time, and even offering Him our financial resources are all ways in which we give Jesus the glory that is due Him.
Reflect, today, upon ways in which you can imitate this act of loving devotion offered by Mary to Jesus. In what ways can you pour forth in an abundant way your time, money, talents, and energy upon our Lord? How can you best express your devotion to Him this Holy Week? As we also give to the needy from what we have been fasting from during this lent, let us give with all humility and from the heart, not because the church says so. Seek out ways to do this directly for the one and simple reason that you love our Lord and want to express that love this week.
Let us Pray
My glorious Jesus, You are worthy of all praise and honor. You are worthy of our deepest devotion and love. As I enter into this Holy Week, I pray that it will be a time in which I may express my deepest love for You. Help me to pour forth that love in abundance this week so as to show You the glory and praise You deserve. Amen
Blessed Holy Week
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