Fragrant Offering

Scripture/Bible: Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Laz'arus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Laz'arus was one of those at table with him. 3 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. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, 5 "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6 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. 7 Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. 8 The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." John 12:1-8

Reflection:  He came to his favorite place to be with his beloved friend Lazarus.  There they made him a supper and as usual Martha did the serving and Mary who always did the right thing with great perfection took a jar of costly ointment and anointed the most wonderful feet  to have ever walked the earth and wiped it with her hair; the perfect towel not used on anyone. 

What devotion, not of prayer but a fragrant offering for the feet of Jesus!

This was a like a liturgical action and could be an ideal one in any Christian family. It could be even applied to the Eucharistic celebration too.

While the priest like Lazarus is at table, the others serve like Martha, which could be the various liturgical ministries and actions which each one participates in. 

On the other hand we have Mary, whose devotion is a special one, the fruit of her labor which has resulted in a fragrant offering, now offered with great devotion of heart and mind. 

Such an expensive offering on the part of Mary can only be possible if one has a great devotion to the Lord.  Then one is willing to make great sacrifices in order to please the Lord.

If it was an ordinary ointment, a cheap one then no Judas on earth would have envied the money spent on it. Therefore since the ointment was a costly one, Judas knew there was much gain in it and so he was suggesting a way to pocket it.  Could it be worth at least thirty pieces of silver or more? 

Some are never satisfied with the little that they have and for the sake of their gain can even betray their faith.  These may not be in terms of silver or money but by way of career and advancements or envy with wealth or relationships or power and positions that they are willing to compromise on the precious gift of faith, which is supposed to grow in us like that fragrance which Mary offered.

By using her hair, Mary was communicating that it is Jesus who gets the first place in her life and that this hair, the crowning glory submits to seek God’s glory in everything.  (cfr.Mt. 6:33)

Prayer:  Lord, may I walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to you. (cfr.Eph 5:2)

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