April 6, 2020: Monday of Holy Week
Today's gospel passage (John 12:1-11) features Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints the feet of Jesus with costly aromatic nard. Judas complains about what he views as a waste of the costly perfume, falsely outraged about how it could have been sold in order to benefit the poor. I present two brief reflections.
The first reflection comes from Bishop Robert Barron: Why does John use this tale to preface his telling of the Passion? Why does he allow the odor of this woman's perfume to waft, as it were, over the whole of the story? It is because, I believe, this extravagant gesture shows forth the meaning of what Jesus is about to do: the absolutely radical giving away of self. There is nothing calculating, careful, or conservative about the woman's action...At the dramatic climax of his life, Jesus will give himself away totally, lavishly, unreasonably—and this is why Mary's beautiful gesture is a sort of overture to the opera that will follow.
The second brief reflection is from Magnificat: Judas thought Mary's anointing was wasteful, preventing the costly nard from benefitting the poor. In point of fact, it served precisely that purpose when “the house was filled with the fragrance of oil.” The worst sort of poverty is to be unaware of or unmoved by the Savior's presence, and Mary's action directed the attention of everyone to Jesus. He is the only one who will “establish justice on the earth,” he is the true “light for the nations.” Are we willing to “waste” our lives for the lives of Jesus? To be embarrassingly attentive to him? Do we believe that he is worth it?
Prayer: Suscipe by St. Ignatius Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will: all that I have and call my own. You have given it all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is Yours, do with it as You will. Give me only Your love and Your grace. That is enough for me. Amen.