Monday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11)
St. Catherine of Siena, the fourteenth century mystic and
activist, claimed an intense personal love for Jesus. She considered herself married to the Lord,
having exchanged her heart for his. Her
relationship parallels that of Mary in today’s gospel.
Not only does Mary anoint Jesus’ feet, she also dries them
with her hair. The first action is
strange; the second almost bizarre. But
Mary wants to express her intense love for Jesus. She recognizes his Lordship and gives herself
completely to him in a manner beyond sexual intimacy.
Jesus merits such affection from all of us. He saves us from the folly of sins and
provides us the prospect of overcoming death.
He personified every virtue and sacrificed his life for each one of
us. Our hope should be nothing less than
life with him in eternity.
