First Reading - Isaiah 42:1-7
Gospel - John 12:1-11
In the first reading, we hear one of the first of the four 'Songs of the Servant.' This song projects the servant as a prophet, the object of mission and a divine destiny, quickened by the Spirit to teach the enire world the ways of the Lord discreetly and firmly in spite of opposition. However, his mission transcends that of other prophets, since he is himself both covenant and light and performs the task of liberation and salvation. The role of the servent is of lavish self-offering to God for His mission and liberation of the humankind.
The scene depicted in today’s Gospel reading took place exactly one week before the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus was anointed on two different occasions — first, at the start of his public ministry, in Galilee, as recounted by St. Luke (7:36-50: Jesus was anointed by a repentant sinful woman in the house of a Pharisee), and, second, towards the end of his life, in Bethany, as reported here by St. John. Instead of brooding over the sufferings and death waiting for him, Jesus, along with his Apostles, enjoyed a party given for his friend, Lazarus by his family and friends. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to be crucified. Probably he halted in Bethany, both because Jerusalem was overcrowded, and he wanted to spend time with his closest friends.
The Gospel summarizes two attitudes: Mary’s and Judas.’ Mary expressed her love for Jesus and her gratitude to God by an extravagant action. Before all the Apostles, she anointed Jesus’ feet with nard (a very costly perfume worth the wages of a laborer for 300 days), then wiped them with her hair. Her lovely deed shows the extravagance of love. Judas on the other hand criticized Mary for spending so much on perfume, suggesting that the money could have been used to help the poor. Mary’s action was extravagant, but her motive justified it. However, Judas’ motive in suggesting the good action of helping the poor was selfish and impure, spoiling the action.
Dear friends, we have beautiful examples of discipleship presented by Mary of Bethany and the servant of the first reading on the one hand and Judas Iscariot on the other hand. The first category of discipleship represented by Mary and the servant of the first reading displays generous offering of oneself to the service of God; as the servant in the first reading offers his total self to the mission of God and liberation of people so also the generosity of Mary is depicted by her anointing of the feet of Jesus by costly perfume - symbol of lavish self-offering in the service of Jesus. The second category includes Judas as stingy and reluctant to spend himself for Jesus. This symbolises the reluctance of oneself to offer to God's service and work completely. Let's become lavish in our good actions to the works of God and betterment of people; this kind of discipleship is always expected of us.
We need to express our love and gratitude to Jesus during this Holy Week for what he did for us centuries ago and for what he continues to do for us now: a) He poured out his Blood for us and for our salvation. b) He anointed us with his Holy Spirit and made us the Temple of his Spirit. c) He continues to nourish us with his Body and Blood through the Holy Eucharist. 2. We can express our love and gratitude to our Savior Jesus during Holy Week a) by spending more time in prayer and adoration, especially by participating in the liturgical celebrations b) by doing acts of penance for our past sins and c) by actively engaging in acts of loving and humble service.
May God help us become generous in our self-offering to the service of God and one another.
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