Holy Monday 2014

Today's Gospel reading - John 12:1-11 - Mary anoints Jesus’ feet

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who joined him at the table.  Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound, of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume.  Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), complained,  “This perfume was worth a year’s wages! Why wasn't it sold and the money given to the poor?” ( He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would take what was in it.)
Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it.  You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.”
Many Jews learned that he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too.  It was because of Lazarus that many of the Jews had deserted them and come to believe in Jesus. [CEB]

Let us pray:
Almighty God, the world tells us not to believe in miracles, that they can't be, that you can't be.  The world also tells us to look out for number one, to focus on our own gain.  God, help us to show the world that the miracles of Your Son were just a foreshadowing of glory divine.  Help us to show the world that the extravagant generosity of the life of Jesus, not an extravagant life focused on self, is the true call of Christ.  We seek a holy life, closer to you this week especially, as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the good of the world.  Amen.