Monday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11)
There is a rabbinic saying that contextualizes Mary’s anointing
Jesus in today’s gospel. It goes, “Good
ointment spreads from bedroom into the dining room, but a good name spreads
from one end of the world to the other.”
Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is remembered throughout the
world for her gracious deed.
Mary is even better known as the woman in Luke’s gospel who
sits as a disciple at Jesus’ feet. She
carefully listens to his every word. It
would be a mistake, however, to brand Mary as solely contemplative. As a true disciple of Jesus, she also serves. Burying the dead has always been considered a
Corporal Work of Mercy. Here Mary takes the first step of the process.
Our names may spread throughout the world as well. Ironically, this takes place not when our good
deed is recorded on a video that goes viral, but when we do it so that only God
sees it. God, who is everywhere, will
take note and bless us in return.
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