Encountering the Word
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.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. [John 12:1-11]
Contemplating the Word
Without wanting to be flippant, it is Lazarus that I feel most sorry for here. The man was recently brought back to life by Jesus and, through no fault of his own, has become something of a local celebrity. Now, because of the fuss being made of him, his life is once again on the line. Seriously? Can these people not see what they’re doing?
The human ability to miss the big picture is a regular theme throughout the life and ministry of Jesus, and it reaches its denouement during Holy Week. On the one hand, those who feel threatened by Jesus increasingly believe that they know the best course of action and can understand what is required of them. However, the reality is that they have no idea of who Jesus is. Not only that, they cannot see how it is that God will bring about his plan…not only in spite of their actions but THROUGH their actions. God can use it all.
Compare Mary of Bethany and Judas. Both are acting, and their actions are impacting on Jesus. One is acting out of love and, even though her action is extravagant, Jesus appreciates it because of the love that motivates it. The other is acting out of some other motivation (jealousy, point scoring, greed?), and even though his suggestion is reasonable, Jesus rejects it, because it is not motivated by love. He can see into their hearts and responds to what is motivating them.
You know where this is going: we are being invited to reflect on what it is that motivates us. Most of us are well practiced in keeping up appearances. Reflecting on what lies in our hearts can be difficult to do. Allowing ourselves to become that present to the truth inside can be challenging and, at times, mortifying. This is why, around this time in the Lenten season, we are strongly encouraged to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s not about turning up with some cobbled together list of ‘sins’ and getting it over with. Instead, it’s about taking the time to reflect on what motivates the things that you do, and asking God into your heart to provide his healing. What it is that motivates you is already very clear to God. The only question is whether or not it is clear to you that you need God’s help.
Being the Word
The relevance of today’s Scripture reading to our mission as baptised Catholics should be reasonably clear by now. The document that has been our constant reference point throughout this program, Evangelii Gaudium, makes regular reference to the call that we’ve all received: pay attention to the needs of others – particularly to the most vulnerable in our society and world.
Jesus’ words, ‘you always have the poor with you’, remind us of our obligations in this regard. We cannot afford to take our eyes off those in need,
