Monday 3 April 2023

Today is Monday the 3rd of April in Holy Week.


Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘I Love You Lord’. As you begin this Holy Week journey, become aware of Jesus’ presence with you now as you step forward. How would you like to mark this time of prayer?

I love You, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice
Take joy, my King
In what You hear
May it be a sweet
Sweet sound in Your ear
I love You, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul rejoice
Take joy, my King
In what You hear
May it be a sweet
Sweet sound in Your ear
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.


John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

If ever there was a Gospel scene that invites prayer with all our senses, this is it. Mary touches Jesus in love and sorrow and fills the house with the scent of her precious oil. Her passionate generosity contrasts with the hardness of Judas’ criticism. What do you feel as you watch and listen?

The physicality of Mary’s sorrowing actions become the model for Jesus’ own symbolic act of service to his disciples at the Last Supper. How would it feel to be Mary in this dramatic scene? What feelings and thoughts would you be wanting to convey to Jesus in this loving gesture?

As we listen again to the reading, notice what strikes you through any or all of your senses.
We hear nothing of the response from the other guests at this dinner, but we hear the words of Jesus and of Judas. What would you want to say if you were one of the onlookers at the scene? What would you want to say or do to Jesus at this moment? Let your words come from the heart.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.