Daily Reflection – 4/15/19
Sacred Scripture
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. 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. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” 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. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.( John 12:1-11)
Reflection
In today’s gospel, Mary sits as Jesus’ feet when he comes to her and Martha’s home. She listens to him teach. In today’s passage from John’s gospel Mary is again at Jesus’ feet in her home. But her role has changed. She now anoints Jesus for burial. Martha in both gospel scenes busies herself with service, and Mary in both chooses “the better part.”
Mary has the prophetic insight of realizing that Jesus will be dead soon. Because she also knows that he is the royal Messiah or “anointed one,” she gives him a lavish anointing. The narrator says that the fragrance from the oil filled the whole house. The image might be expanded to say that the fragrance filled the universe. The death Jesus is about to undergo will redeem humanity for all its sins.
We too might anoint Jesus in a sense. We can spare some time daily this week to meditate on the meaning for ourselves of Jesus death and resurrection. Through these events we know the Son of God. By these events we are freed from the guilt of our malicious acts. Because of these events we like Jesus are destined to glory.
Yet, how many will take the time to meditate on that? How many will pay lip service to the events of this week, yet, go on with the busy-ness of life? How many recognize that we know not when our chance for eternal life will arrive? Now is the time – in this sacred week – to lavish our love and gratitude to our Almighty God.
Prayer of The Day
Lord Jesus, faith comes so hard to me. I should be aware of all the good you have worked in my life. Help me to look with the eyes of faith that will bring me to an unshakeable belief in you, a faith like that of those who witnessed your raising of Lazarus.
Daily Note
Today, take the time to look back briefly on your life and try to notice all the things Christ has done for you, so that by reflecting on these things your faith and trust in Him will deepen.
