Monday of Holy Week
(Isaiah
42:1-7; John 12:1-11)
“…the house
was filled with the fragrance of oil.”
What the evangelist seems to say here is that the world will be soon filled
with awe. Jesus, a young man who has never done anything to regret, takes upon
himself the sins of the world. He will die shortly on the cross in a sacrifice
so great that it justifies a world of sinners.
By his act
of subjection to the Father, Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah in today’s
first reading. His goodness is like a
light that opens the eyes of the world.
The giving up of self for the benefit of others brings people out of the
confinement of themselves. They see the unsurpassable beauty of selfless love.
As we have
benefited from Christ’s love, we should tell others about it. This is best done by imitation. It is not easy to give of self for the sake
of others, but it has lasting benefit.
It facilitates their salvation as it moves us along the path of eternal
life.
