Today’s Gospel: John 12, 1-11
I know Judas, the traitor. I know very well how to be practical and calculate the cost. Should I volunteer at school? Should I offer to make meals for a family who has a sick child? Should I offer to babysit? How much time will this cost me? How much money? What will I gain from it? These are all reasonable questions. But the quest for practicality leaves me hollow. Not wasting any time or money on others has paradoxically left me poor. But what is even more insidious is sin masked in piety. “Why not give to the poor?” asks Judas. He discourages devotion to our blessed Lord. He has no love for Christ. I have to guard against it.
Mary of Bethany is the answer. I know her too. Mary, who loves extravagantly, who loves without counting the cost, who takes all that she has and breaks it open over our Lord’s feet, reserving nothing. She even makes an offering of herself when she wipes our blessed Lord’s feet with her hair. I know how to love like this too, because of the love I have received, from family, friends, and above all my Lord Jesus. And when I do love – mentor another writer, prepare a lavish meal, or play with the neighbor’s child – my heart is filled. The sweet aroma of love spreads.
My heart lifts in quiet worship to love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I cannot wait to waste an hour with Him in the Blessed Sacrament. I cannot wait for the next Holy Sacrifice of Mass so that I may offer myself in song and praise, thanksgiving and adoration. I worship as I kneel to receive Him. Domine nom sum dignus …
Ponder:
How do you anoint the Lord’s feet to show your love and gratitude?
Pray:
My dear Jesus, remove my selfishness. Make me sit attentively at your feet. Make me love You without any reserve like Mary of Bethany.
Copyright 2016 Vijaya Bodach
Vijaya Bodach is a scientist-turned-children’s writer, an atheist-turned-Catholic. She is also a wife, mother of two teenagers, pet-wrangler, teacher, speaker, Latin Mass lover, and choir member. She is the author of 50 supplemental science books for children and 60 pieces in leading children’s magazines. She writes about family, faith, books and writing at www.vijayabodach.blogspot.com
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