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1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 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. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" 6 (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.) 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me." (John 12:1-8 NRSV)
Happy Monday to my dear Friend. May this be a wonderful day in all things, knowing that God goes with you and prepares you, sustains you, and helps you overcome all things!
I shared with you a couple of weeks back how the Bible is a book of meals as well as as a book of geography and truth. This week's gospel lesson is about a meal. A special dinner given in honor of Jesus by a household whose lives were turned upside down with a miracle. A certain man, Lazarus had gotten sick and his two sisters Mary and Martha called on Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus was delayed in coming and Lazarus died. Four days after the funeral Jesus arrives and astonished everyone by raising Lazarus from the dead. So, at the table of honor, Lazarus is seated near Jesus; Martha is serving, as usual, and Mary is doing something not expected. She had taken a pound of very expensive perfume and anointed Jesus' feet. She then wiped His feet clean with her hair. This act filled the home with the odor of this perfume and it annoyed one of the Twelve, namely Judas Iscariot, who had already resolved in his heart to betray Jesus. He protests, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" The writer knows Judas' heart and added, in parentheses, "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. Judas was the treasurer, as it were, of the Twelve and he was known already as an embezzler. Judas, even then, was stealing the glory of this moment by making this protest. Yet Jesus declares for all to leave Mary alone, for what she was doing was helping prepare Jesus for His burial. And then Jesus adds a profound truth; "You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
This can also happen in our lives. We may be in a solemn and deeply personal part of worship, lovingly connected to God and an unexpected and usually unwelcome distraction will come and takes us away from the beauty of the moment and it become difficult to reconnect and reengage in our time with God. Jesus was about fulfillment of prophecy and God's plan; Judas was serving the enemy of God using distractions and diversions. Yet, it is when Jesus is present and we allow Him to be in control, He can reclaim and refocus us to what God would have us receive.
Lent invites us to reflect on how we express our love for Christ. Do we give Him only what is convenient, or do we pour out our best for Him? Mary’s actions remind us that true devotion is costly—it requires humility, sacrifice, and a heart fully surrendered to Jesus.
As we journey toward the cross, may we seek to worship God not just with our words but with our actions, giving Him our time, resources, and love without hesitation.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, Mary’s love for You was bold and extravagant. Help me to love You in the same way—not holding back, but offering You my very best. Show me where I need to surrender more fully, and teach me to worship You with my whole heart. May my life be a fragrant offering to You. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. OUR CALL TO ACTION. Take time today to reflect on what you are offering to Jesus. Is there something He is calling you to surrender or give generously? Find a way to express your devotion—whether through prayer, an act of kindness, or a sacrifice of time or resources in His name.
I love you and thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
