John 12: 1-11
Jesus Anointed at Bethany
12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him
We read this passage in preparation of the anticipated and hasty anointing of the body of Jesus as it was placed in the tomb on Good Friday. A more thorough anointing on Easter Sunday never took place since Jesus arose from the tomb. The anointing is a sign of reverence for the deceased, and after the scourging and beatings Jesus underwent before the crucifixion and the "punishment" his body underwent on the cross..the anointers had their work cut out for them .We see the great love Mary had for Jesus, and the hypocrisy of Judas. In our dealings with one another may we offer the alternative of a balmy anointing rather than the "what's in it for me?" attitude of Judas. We can cleanse our "feet", our souls, and our attitudes by blessing others with kind and caring words and actions, or by including them in our prayers. May we be soothers like Mary rather than sticklers like Judas.
Br, Rene
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