Greetings on this the Monday of Holy Week
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7; Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14; John 12:1-11
Summary
The land will never lack for needy persons; that is why I command you: “Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land.” (Deut 15:11). 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. (Jn 12:7-8)”
This Holy Week we must think like Mary and act like Mary in our gospel portion. Render love when we love. Learn to love where we do not have any.
Entering the Passion
Today is Monday of Holy Week. We have entered the climax of the conflict between humble love and extreme power. Beginning with Palm Sunday which is a sort of preamble of the Holy Week summarizing the events leading up to the tomb. Through the week, we step into each movement. The Easter Vigil speaks to victory over death and the final sign of Moses.
Gentle Lord
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching (ISa 42:1-4).
The large crowd of the [people] 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 [leadership] plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the [people] were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him (modified Jn 12:9-11).
Personal Reflection
Today has three specific meanings to me.
- Render to God that which is God’s. Mary returns love to the Lord because she loves him, accepts him and accepts the fate that is his alone. Yes, there are other uses for our resources and many of those uses are good in the ordinary sense. But we are given to also show our love for the Lord. It wasn’t at the expense of the poor but for the ultimate good for the poor she loved on Jesus!
- Render to the human family that which belongs to them. This too is love. Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street like a carnival barker. When we see and interact with a bruised reed, we shall not break, and a broken heart needing care as a smoldering wick we shall not quench, Until we/he/us establishes justice on the earth.
- The raising of Lazarus was the sign of Jesus’ power and later his Resurrection a sign of his Authority, authenticity, reliability as to his teachings.
My To-Dos Today
- Remind God I love him.
- Remind humaity I love them,too.
- Remember the divine hope given us in Jesus.
Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street like a carnival barker. Rather, quietly, personally as Mary did, give the Lord my perfumed oil. 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 (Jn 12:3).
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041425.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry