MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK, APRIL 11, 2022

MASS READINGS

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Jn 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

REFLECTION

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

As we travel with Jesus to Bethany, we see Mary pouring costly perfumed oil and anointing the feet of Jesus. Upon reading this passage, I have to wonder if I serve the Suffering Servant with the same generosity as Mary. Does what I do pour out to God what should say about me--is Jesus the most important one in my life? Do I let Him know that I know how much He loves me? Do I honor Him in my speech, my thoughts, my words, my actions and how I pray?

The sisters of the Missionaries of Charity asked PAPA for help. They were having Easter celebration and they needed boxes of food for 12 families and also wanted to have an Easter egg hunt for the children the eve of Divine Mercy.

We gathered this weekend to serve God. The generosity of time and food was an expression of the love we have for Jesus. Though the house was not filled with the fragrance of costly nard, it was filled with love. The Holy Spirit was with us in the attention, the detail and the thoughtfulness of those who came to box the food and fill up the eggs, those who donated with money and donated food but could not join us.

Saturday morning was an outpouring of love of Jesus. Christus, the Anointed One, was present amidst the giggling and fellowship. This Holy Week pray more, sacrifice more, and see how God leads us in new ways to serve Him. Choose to be close to Him and not just an observer. Choose to be close to Jesus and let Him teach you and not stand in the background finding fault with the Pope, the Church or the priests or whatever else comes your way.

Thank you, PAPA family.

God Bless You.