A reading from the gospel according to John 12:1-11:
1 Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. 3 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. 4 Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, 5 “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” 6 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. 7 So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 9 The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, 11 because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.
Reflection:
The raising of Lazarus from the dead is a precursor of the resurrection of Jesus which gives us the message that indeed life does not end in death. He is alive and his presence during the dinner was a living testament of the power of Jesus. Many Jews came to believe in Him because they saw the sign. On the other hand, the chief priests had a contrasting attitude towards Jesus. They were jealous and fearful of His growing popularity. So they plotted to kill Him.
And the plot did not thicken. The chief priests found an easy way to destroy Jesus. Someone was already plotting to do an inside job. That someone was no other than Judas Iscariot who was with Jesus from the beginning. He was chosen to be part of building the Kingdom that Jesus has established. Yet what he did was destroy the kingdom through betrayal. His plan was accomplished but he ended up losing his life in the most repulsive manner. The words of Jesus easily come to mind: what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).
While Mary showed her love for Jesus without counting the cost, Judas Iscariot was busy computing how much money he will pocket when he delivers Jesus to the authorities. Meanwhile, he uses the poor in his hypocritical opposition to the wasteful use of expensive oil. Even today, the poor are always used and abused by some people especially politicians but real service to them is lacking.
The gospel reminds us that the poor is always with us. May our love of Jesus translate into action that gives meaning to the love of neighbor. The poor are always there needing our help. Serving the poor means not emulating Judas Iscariot who was always thinking of what to gain. Woe to those using the Poor for personal interest.
You may watch the video version of this reflection below.
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Mary’s wiping of the feet of Jesus is a precursor to the wiping of the feet of the apostles by no less than Jesus Himself. It shows her deep relationship with Jesus which does not count the cost. It also reveals her humility and piety. Indeed, she was full of love and generosity.
More often than not genuine love is unreasonable. Imagine a whole year salary spent in just one moment? And to wipe the feet of someone you love? Is it worth it? Perhaps any astute businessman would rather agree that Judas Iscariot had asked a reasonable question.
Yet Mary was living the life that God is asking of us. When Jesus commanded us to love God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, is he not asking us to love God with our whole being? Or did he forget to tell us to love God with all our treasures?
We don’t have any idea how rich the family of Mary was but we know how much she loved Jesus. At one time we heard Jesus saying she chose the better part by staying by His side and listening to Him. That costly jar of perfumed oil is nothing compared to her love of Jesus. She is willing to spend everything and to do anything to show her love for Jesus. What about you?
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In the gospel reading above, we find Jesus arriving at Bethany, at the home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here, Mary, Lazarus’ sister, anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair – an act of profound devotion and love. This moment, rich in symbolism and deep emotion, speaks volumes about the essence of worship, sacrifice, and the recognition of Jesus’ impending sacrifice for humanity.
Mary’s act of anointing is a beautiful illustration of selfless love and worship. She takes what is arguably her most valuable possession, an alabaster jar of costly perfume, and uses it to honor Jesus. In doing so, Mary exemplifies what it means to give wholly of oneself, without reservation or hesitation, in devotion to Christ. Her actions remind us that true worship often demands sacrifice, a giving up of what we hold dear, for the sake of expressing our love and reverence for God.
Moreover, Mary’s act foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He would offer Himself, not just in part, but wholly, for the redemption of the world. In the fragrance of the perfume that fills the house, we are reminded of the sweetness of love that gives freely, the aroma of sacrifice that pleases God.
Judas Iscariot’s objection to Mary’s act, citing the waste of resources that could have been used to help the poor, introduces a contrast of perspectives. Jesus’ response, “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me,” emphasizes the importance of recognizing divine moments and the value of cherishing Christ’s presence while we have it.
This passage invites us to reflect on our own acts of devotion and sacrifice. Are we willing to give of ourselves, our resources, our very hearts, in worship and service to God? Let Mary’s example inspire us to live lives of profound love and generosity, seizing the moments we have to express our devotion to Jesus, recognizing the depth of His sacrifice for us, and living in a way that honors that sacrifice with every action, every decision, and every breath.
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It was a moment of quiet beauty nestled in the days leading up to the cross. Jesus is at Bethany, seated at a table with friends, just days before His final journey to Calvary. What unfolds in this Gospel passage is a stunning picture of love, devotion, and the transformative power of a heart fully surrendered.
Mary, the sister of Lazarus, approaches Jesus with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume. That was pure nard, worth a year’s wages. In an act of bold vulnerability, she anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. The fragrance of the perfume fills the house. This moment, so simple yet so profound, is more than a gesture of hospitality. It is an outpouring of worship.
Mary’s act is deeply personal. She has seen Jesus raise her brother from the dead. She knows who He is, not just a teacher, but the resurrection and the life. Her love is not abstract; it’s rooted in gratitude, wonder, and reverence. She doesn’t count the cost, because love never does. Her gift is extravagant, but to her, it’s the only fitting response to a Savior who gives everything.
And yet, not everyone sees it that way.
Judas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, objects. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” he says. But John tells us his concern was not for the poor—it was for himself. Judas, a thief, couldn’t see the beauty in Mary’s sacrifice because his heart was consumed by greed.
This reading brings us to a crossroads: will we be like Mary, offering Jesus the most precious parts of our lives, or like Judas, withholding love in favor of self-interest? Mary’s story teaches us that true devotion is costly. It may be misunderstood. It may even be criticized. But it is always beautiful to Jesus.
What Mary gave wasn’t just perfume. She gave her pride, her reputation, her security. She knelt in humility, worshiping in a way that shattered cultural norms and expectations. Her hair, considered a woman’s glory, became a towel for the Savior’s feet. She held nothing back.
And what does Jesus do? He defends her. “Leave her alone,” He says. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” In that moment, Jesus affirms that Mary understood something that even the disciples had missed. He was going to die, and her act of worship prepared His body for what lay ahead.
Mary’s perfume didn’t just anoint Jesus; it changed the atmosphere. The whole house was filled with the fragrance of her offering. That’s what true worship does; it affects everything around it. When we give God our best, when we love Him without fear or hesitation, our lives become a sweet aroma to others. People notice. Hearts are stirred. The presence of Jesus becomes real and tangible.
As we reflect on the Gospel above, the challenge is clear: What are we willing to pour out at Jesus’ feet? What costly perfume are we keeping sealed, afraid to release in worship? Is it our time, our resources, our dreams, or our reputation? Whatever it is, know this: He is worthy of it all.
Mary teaches us that worship is not about performance; it’s about presence. It’s not about doing something for God to earn His love. It’s about responding to the love we’ve already received. Her gift wasn’t a transaction. It was a declaration: Jesus, You are worth everything to me.
May we live lives that carry the same fragrance, lives marked by love, courage, sacrifice, and unashamed devotion. And may the world, like that house in Bethany, be filled with the aroma of hearts fully surrendered to Christ.
