Gospel Reflection For The 25th day of March in the year of Our Lord, 2024
Gospel
John 12:1-11
1 Jesus therefore, six days before the pasch, came to Bethania, where Lazarus had been dead, whom Jesus raised to life. 2 And they made him a supper there: and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that were at table with him. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray him, said: 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein. 7 Jesus therefore said: Let her alone, that she may keep it against the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you have always with you; but me you have not always. 9 A great multitude therefore of the Jews knew that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests thought to kill Lazarus also:
11 Because many of the Jews, by reason of him, went away, and believed in Jesus.
Today’s Gospel is John’s version of the events we read yesterday in Mark, leading up to the crucifixion. John’s Gospel is unique, because it is heavily influenced by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who lived in his care for decades after these events unfolded. The Bible does not portray our Blessed mother as one who speaks much or reacts. She “pondered these things in her heart.” She is quiet and reflective, rarely assertive; she is in the background of all the Gospels, mostly silent and unmentioned. Jesus knew the motives of Judas. Did she? Did they discuss the matter? Very likely, yes, but the Bible does not inform us of such matters.
We are told that Judas was motivated by greed. Many have also speculated that his motives were political, at least in part. Regardless, we know that his focus was not on holy things but upon the matters of this world. Here he is, sitting at the table both with Jesus and a man whom Jesus had resurrected from the dead. We may imagine that the proper attitude would be one of awe. Indeed, the proper attitude would be that of Saint Mary Magdalene, falling at the feet of God and offering Him her most precious possession. What could be worth more than forgiveness of our sins and the salvation of our souls? Yet, Judas does not see this. He sees temporal, physical things and justifies his reaction saying that it could be given to the poor.
Are we that different? How many times have we found fault in others and in the Church because we think things should be done differently? Well, as the Church is an institution comprised of humans, sometimes it should. Sometimes even priests steal from the collection plate and our religious leaders do horrible things. We should, absolutely, work to reform both our selves and our Church. But, we must never forget what is really before us. It is Jesus. The temporal problems and issues of life will exist until the end of time. We have to stay focused on the life-giving divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As He said, “Let the dead bury their dead. Take up your cross and follow me.” Let nothing in this life come between us and God!
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Gospel passages are taken from the Douay Rheims Bible.