LET ME ANOINT YOUR FEET IN MY SERVICE OF OTHERS
[MONDAY, 2 APRIL 2012]
Gospel Reading: John 12:1-11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples (he who was to betray Him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred dinarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have.”
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom He has raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. (Jn 12:1-11 RSV)
Prayer: Jesus, when I of Mary, who anointed Your feet, I think of the great and complete love she had for You. She knew who You were. She knew also that she would find You in the poor, the hungry, suffering. You are the only one we can love without any hint of self-seeking. When we love You, we must give all we are, all we have totally – willing to share in Your suffering, Your poverty, Your doing the will of the Father, without any thought of gaining anything in return. We must want only the opportunity to serve You and to love You. That is the way Mary loved You; it is the only way You can be loved.
Help me to let go of everything else and to love You in others – without self-seeking, without wanting to be loved in return. It is the way You are calling me every day of my life. Let me anoint Your feet in my service of others. Amen.