Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 25, 2024

Date:  Monday of Holy Week

Scripture Text:  John 12:1-11

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 him, 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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from the Gospel of John recounts Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus following Jesus’ raising of Lazarus. It was a great gathering, marked by joy and thanksgiving. Martha served the meal while Mary acted as host, not merely washing the feet of her guest but rather anointing Jesus’ feet with costly and aromatic oil and drying his feet with her hair.

Judas the Iscariot, however, was annoyed by Mary’s gesture because he saw only a loss to the money bag he controlled and therefore a loss to him, one who regularly stole from the contributions. Jesus’ response to Judas’ questioning surprises us because at first glance it appears that Jesus does not care for the welfare for the poor. And we know from Jesus’ teaching and example that is not true. So, we must look more deeply.

Jesus wasn’t saying that we should ignore or neglect the needs of the poor; Jesus knew that poor is a constant human condition, and we are called to care for the poor. Jesus’ words are not meant to brush off the needs of the poor but rather to highlight his crucifixion and death which He alone knew were immanent.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

As I near the end of my Lenten journey, how am I welcoming Jesus fully into my life, my mind, my heart?  

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, we turn to You this day and all days, proclaiming You “Son of God” and “Savior.” Send your Spirit to us in these final days of Lent to clear our minds and hearts and lives of obstacles to your great and saving love. Grant that we may seek this day and all days to remain in You and to open ourselves fully to You so that You may remain in us. Amen.