SEE BEYOND
image from: The Perfumed Gospel | Philip Jenkins (patheos.com)
(John 12:1-11)
We have entered the Holy Week.
This is an important week in our lives as Christians. We are called upon
through the Gospel of today to look beyond things of this world, to transcend
the material things in order to grasp the spiritual realities. It is a time of deeper reflection on the true
meaning of life. It is a time to draw closer to Jesus. It is a time to prepare
ourselves and make peace with God, when we kneel in adoration at the feet of Jesus,
when we appreciate the sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ on the cross
of Calvary for our sake.
In today's Gospel, we saw the two
characters who taught us via positiva and via negativa. Mary's act was an act
in the right direction. Judas' behaviour was an act in the wrong direction.
Whereas Jesus wants us to emulate Mary, He wants us to desist from the Judas
tendencies. He condemns Judas outrightly. He appreciates Mary sincerely.
Mary saw Jesus as the most
expensive of all she could think of, all she could ever possess. For her, Jesus
deserves her expensive ointment. She emptied it at His feet. For her, beauty is
nothing. She sacrificed her beauty at the feet of Jesus by using her hair to
wipe the feet of Jesus. She poured away her riches at Jesus' feet. She soothed
the feet that has gone around Palestine doing good. She saw beauty in the feet
of the one who brought tiding of salvation. She gave Jesus a sense of belonging
and welcome after the fatigue of His missionary exploits.
Judas on the other hand whose
rightful position should be the feet of Jesus, could not do what the woman did
and will not allow her do it. He lost his place. The apostle should learn at
the feet of his master, listening to His word. He should wash His master's
feet. But He gave way in search of other things that were not important. He was
after money, He was after gains, He valued wealth and acquisition more than
Christ. Judas was insincere. He even will use the name of the poor to defraud.
He trains himself always to betray Christ. He has betrayed the trust of Christ
in the public. He has actually betrayed himself and his real self. He lacked
the ability of seeing beyond the immediate, beyond the here and now, behind the
person of Christ. He lacked self-control and spiritual discipline.
Dear child of God, during this
period, let us look beyond the joy we derive from sin. Let us look beyond the
gains we get by keeping Jesus aside. Let us see beyond our cares and worries
and think about the worries of Christ towards us, the expectations of God on
us, the will of God for our salvation. Let us not stop people who want to seek
the face of God this period from doing so. Let us not be distractions to
ourselves and others. Let us not discourage those who with sincerity wants to
take their proper place at the feet of Jesus. Let them alone.
Like the woman in Today's Gospel,
let us kneel to ask God for forgiveness. Let us open our hearts and give Him
ourselves and all we have. Let us fill our homes with the fragrance of
holiness, reconciliation, prayers, faith and love. Let us contribute our quota
in immortalizing Christ in our world. Let us anoint Him with the ointment of
companionship and spirit of true discipleship. Let us appreciate the spiritual
relevance of this Holy Week that it may be fruitful for us like it was to Mary
and her household. Let us carry all our family members along in this last part
of our preparation for Easter.
LET US PRAY
Dear Lord Jesus, we are sorry for
the many times we have allowed the passing things of this world to keep our
eyes away from You. We repent for approving the selling and actually selling
the ointments You gave us for fame, honour and power. May we sustain the grace
You have bestowed on us this period and attain the glory no man can afford.
Bless Your word in our hearts this Holy Week and forever. Amen
God bless your Monday (Monday of
the Holy Week)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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