Prayer:
O Jesus, let me be generous in serving you.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus at table with Martha, Mary and Lazarus.
Context:
Lazarus has just been raised from the dead. This scene continues the death to life theme, but now it focuses on Jesus, not Lazarus. Martha and Mary play their familiar roles. Martha serves and Mary anoints Jesus’ feet.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. They made a supper. Martha served and Lazarus was at table. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made from genuine aromatic nard with which she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped the feet with her hair. The odor of the ointment filled the house.
Then, Judas Iscariot, who was about to betray Jesus, asked, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred silver pieces and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he loved the poor, but because he was a thief and controlled the purse. Jesus said, “Let her alone. She has done this for my day of burial. The poor you always have with you but me you do not always have.”
A great crowd of Jews knew that Jesus was there. They came, not just to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. The chief priests planned to kill Lazarus, too, because many Jews were going over to Jesus, believing in him on account of Lazarus.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder the ones that attract you.)
- What an experience – to sit at table with the Saviour of the world and with a man who had been dead four days.
- Martha and Mary use their personal talents. Martha serves the meal. Mary anoints Jesus.
- Mary has total generosity. She buys the costliest perfume.
- Judas reveals his heart. His eyes are on the money, not upon Jesus’ glory.
- Mary’s perfume fills the whole house just as the Spirit filled the temple.
- The perfume prefigures the glory of Jesus’ body after rising from the dead.
- Lazarus is a witness to Jesus’ power and leads others to believe.
- How many signs do the chief priests need to have their hearts touched?
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- I will be generous, Jesus, giving to you my most costly treasures.
- O Jesus, I will use my talents for you and your Kingdom.
- Let your glory and your blessings fill my whole house, my whole life.
- What love Martha and Mary had for you!
- Do not let money dominate my life. I could become a Judas.
- Your body is in heaven and you want my body to be there with you.
- How many signs you have given to me. Increase my faith.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ Where should I be more generous with my possessions?
+ I will try to serve the interests of Jesus.