GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 10TH APRIL 2017
MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
FIRST READING: Isaiah 42:1-7
PSALM: Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
GOSPEL: John 12:1-11
THEME: THE OINTMENT OF LOVE
There is power in love and its effect is palpable. Some of the things that love moves us to do are as mysterious as love itself. Love makes you give and the more you give, the more you want to give. Love makes you go the extra mile and moves you to make sacrifices.
In our Gospel text for the day, we have a narration of the anointing of the feet of Jesus by Mary, the sister of Martha. Judas Iscariot, who was present on that occasion, laments and makes a passionate humanitarian statement, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (Jn 12:5).
Three hundred denarii was equivalent to almost the entire year’s income of a labourer. Thus from a purely materialistic point of view, Judas considered the pouring of this costly perfume of pure nard as wastage. Jesus, on the other hand, looked not at the ointment that was being poured but the heart that was pouring it and said, “Let her alone, in order that she may keep it for the day of my burial” (Jn 12:7).
With hindsight knowledge and putting this event in its proper context, we know that Mary’s act was in anticipation of the death of Jesus on the cross which would bring salvation to all who are poor in spirit.
An ointment can be quantified but love is priceless. The true cost of love is to give all. Mary expresses this vividly as she poured her entire life’s savings on the feet of Jesus. Her love was a drop in the ocean of that love that Jesus was to express on the cross.
As we count the days towards the commemoration of Good Friday, we may not all have an expensive ointment to pour unto the feet of Jesus, but we all can express our love for him in one way or the other –“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me” (Mt. 25:40).
It may be good to take some time out this week and prayerfully reflect on how best we can individually show love to Jesus. This week, look for an opportunity to express your deepest love for Jesus in the best way that you can.
PRAYER: I love you Jesus with my whole heart. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen)