house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Judas Iscariot—the disciple who was to betray Jesus— remarked, “This perfume
could have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and the money given to the poor.” Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor;
he was a thief, and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds. But Jesus spoke up, “Leave her alone. Was she
not keeping it for the day of my burial? (The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me.)” Many Jews heard that
Jesus was there and they came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief
priests thought about killing Lazarus as well, for many of the Jews were drifting away because of him, and believing in Jesus.

Reflection:

Lazarus died and was raised. Jesus will die and be raised as
well. But to go through that baptism unnerves even the Son
of God, as we will learn shortly in Gethsemane. Jesus needs to
be with the one whom he raised, to find consolation, hope, and
courage. We don’t find them talking. They don’t have to. The
presence is enough; the hearts are communicating. How fitting
that the entire scene unfolds at the dinner table, the last
supper with the family, an early Eucharist! Mary is so filled with
love that it overflows as perfume with which she washes and wipes
his feet. Does it inspire Jesus to do the same with his other loved
ones, his disciples, at the next last supper? Perhaps. That’s what love
does—to wash up, to wipe up, to feed up, to eucharistize. Only
hearts full of love can grasp its value; Judases cannot.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2022