In the first reading God institutes the figure of the Saviour , he gives him all the possible credit and tells us to look at him. At Him only.
Now the Gospel has many figures going around the Servant of God, Jesus. Martha, Mary, Lazarus, Jude ...many faces appear. Even Lazarus is depicted as one of the diners. There is a lot of movement at the dinner. But, the question is: who is looking only at Jesus? Are we following only him or are we taken by daily chores like Martha? Are we concerned about talking to people like Lazarus or maybe we are Judah who thinks of the poor outside or we are like the priests who think of their position? There are three persons and with their attitudes we begin the journey of Holy week.
1. Any complaint should be an act of responsibility: if we complain we have to ask ourselves how we would have handled the situation and what we would be willing to do if we were in that position. Our complaint should have good motivation. Otherwise, we run the risk of unjustly criticizing someone for doing the best they can, according to the circumstances.
On the other hand, Mary anoints Jesus' feet and wipes them with her hair, because she truly believes that this is what she must do. This is an act of great benevolence toward Jesus: “Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard” (Jn 12:3). It is an act of love, and like any act of love, it is difficult to be understood by those who do not share it. I think that, at that very moment, Mary realized what St. Augustine wrote centuries later: “Perhaps on this earth the Lord’s feet are still in need. For of whom but of His members is He yet to say in the end, “Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of mine, ye did it unto me”? Ye spent what was superfluous for yourselves, but ye have done what was grateful to my feet.”
Judas' complaint has no utility whatsoever, and it only led him to treachery. Mary's act, on the other hand, led her to love her Lord even more and, as a consequence, to a greater love for all the “feet” of Christ in world today.
2. Who is this Mary?
According to Greek Orthodox traditions, there are three distinct women of which the Gospel of John speaks; Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus, Mary, the sinner (prostitute) and Mary Magdalene whom she has been very forgiven because she has loved much. The Greek liturgy commemorates all three women separately while Latin church commonly commemorates one woman; Mary of Magdalene.
Mary, the sinner, washing the feet of Jesus is a reminder for us who begin the journey of the Holy Week. The only one who really touched Jesus is Mary, she is even scolded for the waste of the perfume. She is at his feet, in humiliating position, washing his feet, giving all herself to the service. Why? Wasn't it more natural that the resurrected Lazarus should be in her place kissing the feet of Jesus for having given him another life opportunity?
1. She is silent and washes the feet of the Son of God. An act of high repentance for her misdeeds.
2. An act of love; unique intimacy:
3. An act of consecration;
Jesus goes every day on the Cross for us. In the Eucharist he offers himself. Where are we in the picture? Are we at his feet or somewhere else, passing by and even mocking him?
The gospel of the day is a pre- announcement of the Calvary scene. We are all different and we all have different roles but the most important one is in serving the Lord who loves us.
March 24, 2024, John 12:1-11
How to spend the Holy Week? Whom we can follow? The Holy Week starts with the prostitute woman, a figure of pure passionate love. Who is she?
According to Greek Orthodox traditions, there are three distinct women of which the Gospel of John speaks; Mary of Bethany, sister of Lazarus, Mary, the sinner (prostitute) and Mary Magdalene whom she has been very forgiven because she has loved much. The Greek liturgy commemorates all three women separately while Latin church commonly commemorates one woman; Mary of Magdalene.
1. Passionate love: Love of intimacy, Mary stands for her love of passion, intimacy and deep affection towards the one who is going to suffer right now. There are two cultural hindrances the woman is violating; No young woman can participate in a public Jewish banquet, they have their own place at the feast, public dinner (wedding at Cana, mother is a household lady). How can she come at center in front of a prophet? image of a prostitute, an attractive woman.
The Lord allows her to wipe his feet with the hair (Jn 11). No woman is found publicly with unbound hair (prostitute's symbolic act in Jewish parties). There was a special study on “A Woman's Unbound Hair in the Greco-Roman World” Only two types of Jewish women can appear with hair unbound, prostitutes or women while having their relationship. In every case, this act of young woman, Mary expresses the love of passion, spousal love and nearness of intimacy to the one who is going to suffer.
2. Judas makes a complaint, which seems to be valid. You need to look at the motivation is not genuine. Any complaint should be an act of responsibility: Complaints should be for the construction and proposals should be done with responsibility. Our complaint should have good motivation. Otherwise, we run the risk of unjustly criticizing someone for doing the best they can, according to the circumstances.
Judas said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor? Jesus meant to "You always have poor with you" in the sense, a different approach to poverty is required! do not get worried about solving all the problems of poverty within a day. they are always with humanity. Do you think the oil can be sold and distributed to the poor, how many will get the benefit, and how many days you can help them?
Jesus is not against helping the persons of those in need. It was meant to be a way of recognizing this woman’s devotion and love. Leave her alone! We say poor! but they enjoy it more than us! they are happy and more generous than us, Leave her alone should be interpreted like this!
This is a powerful lesson for his disciples in every age. “the poor you will always have with you”. let us not exaggerate thinking about the poor in war, poor in our images, poor are not people “outside” our communities, but brothers and sisters whose sufferings we should share, to alleviate their difficulties and marginalization, restore their dignity and mutual sharing generates fraternity. Almsgiving is occasional; mutual sharing, on the other hand, is enduring.
Where are we in the picture? Are we at his feet or somewhere else, passing by and even mocking him?
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