Monday, 25 March 2024. Readings: Isaiah 42:1-7, Ps. 27:1-3,13-14, John 12:1-11
“There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.” (John 12:2-3)
As we continue our faith journey through the Holy Week, we cannot but notice that at this point, there are two camps: the few on the side of Jesus and the majority plotting against Jesus. This is a moment of decision; we must know where we belong.
The chief priests were all out against Jesus. They were even plotting to eliminate Lazarus to destroy any evidence of Jesus’ power. Didn’t they know that one who has the power to raise the dead couldn’t be held down by death? Hatred makes us unreasonable; it pushes us into battles we know we can never win.
Mary and Martha were among the few still on Jesus’ side. They invited Him to their home to express their appreciation for raising Lazarus. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot represents many Christians today who are sitting on the fence. Outwardly, we pretend to love Jesus, but deep within, we only care about our selfish interests. Where do I belong? This brings us to our lessons for today:
1. God Expects Our Thanksgiving: Giving thanks to God even for the smallest things we enjoy is very important. You might be wondering: “Does God need my thanksgiving?” Yes. It doesn’t add to Him, but it makes us more blessed. When only one leper returned to give thanks, Jesus asked: “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?” Jesus told him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:17-19). Mary and Martha were not like the other nine lepers. They knew the importance of Thanksgiving.
2. Nothing is too great or too little for Thanksgiving: In the case of the leper, the best he could do was to say “Thank You”. God wants this from us: kneel and praise God. Mary and Martha went beyond words; they organised a Thanksgiving Dinner for Jesus and his disciples. While Martha served dishes, Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping his feet with her hair. This was her unique way of saying: “Thank you for bringing back my brother to life.” Judas protested that the oil was too expensive, but Jesus said: “Leave her alone” Learn to count your blessings and give thanks. What matters is not your thanksgiving's value but your heart's sincerity. If you can afford it, why not? God is not expecting you to pay for His blessings. He only desires to see your faith in action.
3. Bitterness Kills Our Faith: Mary and Martha must have felt betrayed when Lazarus died, and Jesus failed to show up to prevent this death. For many of us, this is the point at which we give up on God. We could become so bitter that we even shut our doors permanently to Jesus. We stop counting our blessings and start saying, "Prayers don’t work.” Can you imagine Mary and Martha driving Jesus away when he showed up four days after Lazarus’ burial? On the other hand, imagine Mary and Martha still angry with Jesus even after he raised Lazarus from the dead. When we are bitter with God, we don’t notice His blessings anymore because we are too focused on what we lack.
4. Watch Your Heart When You Criticize Others: Do you sometimes feel that some people are doing too much for God? Are you angry when someone spends long hours praying (takes their spirituality seriously)? Do you become agitated when someone donates an “unreasonable” amount to a church project? For Judas Iscariot, Mary was wasting this oil. “It could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Meanwhile, he said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. Avoid criticising others. Let God be the judge. God knows when our religious activities are merely show-offs (like the scribes and Pharisees whom Jesus described as hypocrites) and when they are genuine.
5. Avoid Pretence: Stop publicly presenting yourself as one who cares for the poor (or is close to God) when you aren’t. Remember that God sees everything. It is better to be good than to pretend to be good. In today’s First Reading, God says: “I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:6)
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to give thanks from my heart and grant that I may be a light to the nations, not a hypocrite. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of Holy Week. Bible Study: Isaiah 42:1-7, Ps. 27:1-3,13-14, John 12:1-11).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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