As we move through the dramatic events of Holy Week, we hear today’s readings reminding us of God’s eternal love for us and the prediction of Jesus’ impending death.  I invite us to linger a little longer, utilizing our imagination through Ignatian contemplation, to enter deeply into these powerful words and scenes.
 
The first reading predicts and prophesizes God’s generosity and the plan for us to be saved from sin.   We are reminded of the magnitude of what is to happen later in this Holy Week when Jesus will rise again.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
To open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

During the Gospel reading, we hear the familiar story of the anointing at Bethany when Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with the costly oil and dries his feet with her hair.  And, then, Judas Iscariot, tries to argue about use of such precious oil on Jesus, rather than using utilizing funds for the poor.  Judas appears to be altruistic, but Jesus sees through his attempt to cover up ulterior motives of greed and deceit.  Through it all, we receive the chilling message that Jesus’ time on earth is drawing to a close.

As I was reading these passages, two points and related questions surfaced for me. 

First…how can I continue to model faith and love like Mary does in this passage? What does this anointing have to do with my current situation, today?

Perhaps this point from Pope Benedict XVI may help us with this first question: "There is only one anointing that is strong enough to meet death and that is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the love of God. There is, then, something that is both exemplary and lasting in Mary's anointing of Jesus at Bethany. It was above all a concern to keep Christ alive in this world and to oppose the powers that aimed to silence and kill him. It was an act of faith and love. Every such act can have the same effect."

I invite us to ask ourselves, how are we modeling Mary’s actions to keep Christ alive in the world, and to oppose the powers that sought to silence him?

The second question that surfaced for me, is… How might I be covering up disordered motives using an altruistic facade? What am I distracted by and where do I need to redirect my focus to Jesus, even if Jesus is sharing some startling or sobering news in my own life, that could be difficult for me to accept?

May this Holy Week be one that enables us to slow down, enter into Jesus’ final days on earth and emerge with a renewed sense of love for him and motivation to always act with faith and love.