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Theo Tigno•
3/28/2010 10:45 pm
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Monday of Holy Week |
Jn 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.
Dawg's thought:
Today's prayer intention is for Pope Benedict XVI during this time of scrutiny and Holy Week.
I was meditating on what passes for truth in our society today. When I think about the messages that we receive through television, movies, and music. Is it any wonder why people try to live beyond their means when a lot of the music illustrates a lifestyle that is decadent? Is it any wonder why human relationships are all about what you can get out of it versus true, authentic donation of self and offering of Christ?
What was the truth going on in the minds of the Jews plotting to kill Jesus and Lazarus? What was the truth going on the mind of Judas? One could make the argument that both were concerned about their "bottom line."
What about what was going on with Mary? She just saw Lazarus raised from the dead! A bottle of costly oil is nothing compared to the joy she must have felt.
What is true for us, and what truths do we place higher than other truths? Are we concerned with our own bottom line, or are we thankful the truth we know in Jesus' tremendous love for us? Are we afraid to offering things to Christ because we fear what it would cost us, both financially and in other ways? I know that many of the times I have loved deeply, there was a sacrifice of myself offered. Is that too costly for the God who opened the heavens for us?
Let us be grateful for Our Lord versus scrutinizing the things that we attribute to Him that challenges us. After all, what bottom line are you concerned with: eternal freedom in heaven or comfort here on earth? Take care and God Bless.
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