6-Apr-20

Gospel 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 and Martha knew Jesus would be leaving them; this caused great uncertainty about what would follow. Yet, from their faith in Jesus, they drew courage to face their future.

They had seen Jesus raise their brother Lazarus from the dead; this knowledge and their love of God enabled them to go forward without fear.

Today with the current worldwide pandemic, we too live with great anxiety. The invisible Covid-19 virus disrupts our comfortable routines and threatens to take our life and the lives of those we love.

Now is the time to remember that in my darkest hours Jesus has always recused me from my worst fears.

Who among us has not turned to Jesus for consolation in times of loss, to give us courage in times of trial, to heal our broken hearts in times of sorrow?

God has promised that He will always be with us. Now, like Mary and Martha, we can take confidence from God’s promises and place our trust in Him: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Like those early Christians, we look into our own hearts and come what may, we draw courage from our faith.

As Jesus was with them He is also with each of us today.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1-6