Reading
John 12,1-11
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.
Meditation
Love and hate, faith and infidelity, magnanimity and hardness of heart, are the protagonists of this Gospel episode that precedes the Jewish Passover and the passion of Jesus.
Mary of Bethany performs an act of love whose prophetic meaning goes beyond her own understanding, prefiguring the burial of the Lord. It was in fact a Jewish custom to anoint the bodies with perfumed oil.
Mary's act of devotion is in contrast with the words of Judas Iscariot, the one who will deliberately betray Jesus. The estimated price of the perfumed oil - three hundred denarii - corresponded to about a year's salary. From this we understand the greatness of Mary's act of love towards Jesus, like every act of love that is difficult to comprehend for those who don't share it.
Taking care of Christ today, while awaiting his return, means taking care of his mystical body and first of all of his humblest members, generously giving and sharing what is most precious to us: our riches, our affection, and our time. This spirit of service, the same as that of Mary, who served (gr. Diakoneo) Christ, will make us grow in communion with him.
The precious perfumed oil poured out by Mary is an expression of that selfless and immeasurable love with which we are called to reciprocate the same love that God has poured out on us with his grace.
Considered foolishness by the world - which only understands the logic of profit - Christian love is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). In this way, the time dedicated to prayer of adoration and contemplation must also be considered: a prophetic act that testifies to the primacy of the only necessary (Lk 10:42), the beginning and the end of charity, the school in which to learn the free gift of oneself.
Prayer
May our prayer of adoration and praise rise to you, Lord, as a sweet perfume. Teach us to love as you have loved us, freely and without measure. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
