Apr 14 2025

First reading Isaiah 42:1-7

Here is my chosen one in whom my soul delights

Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one in whom my soul delights.

I have endowed him with my spirit

that he may bring true justice to the nations.

He does not cry out or shout aloud,

or make his voice heard in the streets.

He does not break the crushed reed,

nor quench the wavering flame.

Faithfully he brings true justice;

he will neither waver, nor be crushed

until true justice is established on earth,

for the islands are awaiting his law.

Thus says God, the Lord,

he who created the heavens and spread them out,

who gave shape to the earth and what comes from it,

who gave breath to its people

and life to the creatures that move in it:

‘I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right;

I have taken you by the hand and formed you;

I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations,

‘to open the eyes of the blind,

to free captives from prison,

and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.’

Responsorial Psalm 26(27):1-3,13-14

The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
When evildoers come at me
to devour my flesh,
My foes and my enemies
themselves stumble and fall.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel John 12:1-11

‘She had to keep this scent for the day of my burial’

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, ‘Why wasn’t this ointment 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 was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.’

Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

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Being with our Friend

In today’s gospel, Jesus was with his friends, Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Each of the siblings had a distinct personality and they expressed their affection for Jesus in different ways. Lazarus was content to sit with Jesus at the table, while Martha kept herself busy in the kitchen, preparing a meal for their guests. Meanwhile, Mary displayed her love and gratitude for Jesus by pouring a pound of expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair. Jesus accepted them just as they were and valued their friendship. Today, let us express our love for Jesus, our Friend, in the way we know best.

Judas, seeing Mary pouring away the expensive perfume, started to complain about being wasteful. Jesus defended her actions, acknowledging that her deed was rooted in love. He told Judas, “You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me”. Here, Jesus tells us the importance of not taking people, including Himself, for granted. Often, we fail to live in the moment and miss out on opportunities to connect with people in our lives and also to enjoy staying with Jesus.

Reflective question:
Do I want Jesus to be the central focus of this Holy Week?

Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.