The Gospel 

 

John 12, 1-11 (or Mark 14, 3-9; Matthew 26, 6-13)

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus has raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

 

Meditation

 After the chaos caused by the resurrection of Lazarus, Christ takes refuge in Ephraim with his disciples. There, he is safe from the danger of being seized and killed.

Passover is getting closer, and Christ wants to celebrate in Jerusalem. On his way there, he stops at Bethany, to find his friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. He and his disciples are invited to a dinner given in their honor.

Mary prepares a perfume of great value and finesse for Jesus. During the meal, she opens the perfume bottle, and a pleasant scent fills the room. The guests look for the source of the enticing smell, and they recognize Mary Magdalene, holding the flask, gently pouring the precious ointment on Jesus’ feet, and tenderly wiping them with her hair.

Mary’s gesture stirs emotions and raises comments: Judas takes offense, saying that this gesture is outrageous and pointless. It is scandalous because it would have been much more profitable to sell this perfume and to give the money of the sale to the poor. It is unnecessary because it answers no need. It is outrageous because of its cost and value.

Christ defends Mary, knowing all too well that her gesture is significant.

Indeed, her gesture is a display of thanksgiving and gratitude to the works accomplished by Jesus, including the works of salvation bestowed on her family and herself.

Her gesture is a bright prayer, in which she acknowledges the healing and rescuing received by many people during their journey through the cities and on the roads. She comprehends that what she witnessed could not come from the mere power of man. Only God is capable of such wonders.

Her gesture is worship. Mary Magdalene knows, she sees and believes. She pays her tribute to the man-God who is sitting at the table. She adores the Father who sent his only Son, the Holy Spirit who enlightens her soul, the Son who is to ransom sinners and lead them to eternal life.

She worships the Son of God who is here, now, to carry out the will of his Father in its entirety. She praises the one who is the Resurrection and the Life, as he said in words and showed in deeds when he revived Lazarus.

Her gesture is a true gift, completely free, awaiting nothing in return. She gave Jesus the most beautiful, most expensive thing she had, while aware that even that costly perfume was of little value compared to the gifts offered by Christ. Christ is the giver of life. What’s a bottle of perfume worth to him? Is God to expect something in return for his gifts? God needs nothing from us, he is self-sufficient, and the gifts he gives us are gifts of love: the gift of life, the gift of being at his image and his resemblance, the gift of free will, the gift of his Son Jesus, who in turn bestows on us the greatest of gifts: the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Through Christ, we all become the Children of God the Father.

Mary Magdalene is overwhelmed with this abundance of gifts. She wishes she could do more, but perfume is all she has, and her immense gratitude is concentrated in the small flask.