4/3/2023 (Monday) Today’s gospel reading: 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.
4/3/2023 (Monday) Today’s gospel reflection: John 12:1-11
Mary’s wiping of the feet of Jesus is also 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 who 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 love 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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