and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus. Then Mary took a
pound of costly perfume, made from genuine spikenard, and anointed the feet of Jesus,
wiping them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
Judas Iscariot—the disciple who was to betray Jesus— remarked, “This perfume could
have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and the money given to the poor.” Judas,
indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was a thief, and as he held the common purse,
he used to help himself to the funds. But Jesus spoke up, “Leave her alone. Was she
not keeping it for the day of my burial? (The poor you always have with you, but you will
not always have me.)” Many Jews heard that Jesus was there and they came, not only
because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. So the
chief priests thought about killing Lazarus as well, for many of the Jews were drifting
away because of him, and believing in Jesus.
Reflect
“Self-sacrifice.” Today is Holy Monday. The Gospel for today narrates Jesus’ feet being
anointed by Mary of Bethany. It was in a context of a dinner offered by Lazarus, the
brother of Martha and Mary, whom Jesus raised back to life. Mary anointed the feet
of Jesus with expensive perfume while Judas Iscariot was harboring ill thoughts about
what Mary did for Jesus. The narration makes it clear that Judas, the betrayer, had no
real concern for the poor. He was a thief and was taking money from the common
purse for his own selfish benefit. The deed of Judas runs in contrast with the deed of
Jesus. Jesus would be offering his life for the salvation of the world while Judas took
from what was not his to preserve himself. Our present world is characterized by
selfishness. Many would give in to the temptation of self-preservation at the expense
of other people. As Jesus’ followers, we are challenged to turn away from selfishness,
overcoming the temptation of self-preservation at other people’s expense. Jesus
taught us the value of self-sacrifice. Let us not follow the Judas’ way.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024
