Holy Week Monday: 15th April, 2019 April 15, 2019

Reflection on the WORD

Repentance: In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene expressed her deep contrition for her sins by washing Jesus’ feet with her tears of sorrow, dried them with her hair and anointed them with a very costly ointment.  Ponder on, “Lord, my sins have added to Your Suffering; move my heart to deeper repentance.” 

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was filled with the scent of the ointment. 

Then Judas Iscariot - one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him - said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contents. 

So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; let her keep it for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’

Today's Pointers on God's Word

As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?

  • •In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene shows her deep sorrow for her sins and gratitude to Jesus for His Mercy by using expensive ointment to anoint His feet and drying them with her hair. 
  • Jesus’ unconditional Love and infinite Mercy shown to Mary Magdalene is also shown to all peoples and sinners like us in our daily living, when we sin and cause harm, hurt and division to others.
  • •Likewise, how can we ‘anoint the Lord’s feet’ to show him our deep sorrow for our sins and gratitude for His Mercy?  Jesus is waiting for us to live our lives more fully in accordance with His values and teachings.  Spend some moments today to speak personally to Jesus from your heart.