Mary Anoints Christ’s Feet
Niels Larsen Stevns, 1907

Dear friends,

As we enter into the first Monday of Holy Week, we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, chapter 12, verses 1-11. This passage tells the story of Jesus' visit to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany, where Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume.

As we reflect on this passage, we can see that it teaches us about the importance of gratitude, compassion, and generosity. Let us examine these themes more closely.

First, we see gratitude demonstrated by Mary as she anoints Jesus' feet with perfume. This act of generosity is a symbol of her gratitude for all that Jesus has done for her and her family. This reminds us that we too should be grateful for the blessings we have received in our lives, and that we should express our gratitude in tangible ways, whether it be through acts of kindness, or through prayer and meditation.

Second, we see compassion demonstrated by Jesus as he defends Mary's actions in the face of criticism from Judas Iscariot. Jesus understands the depth of Mary's love and gratitude, and he defends her from those who would judge her actions. This reminds us that we too should be compassionate towards others, particularly those who may be judged or marginalized by society.

Finally, we see generosity demonstrated by both Mary and Jesus. Mary gives her most precious possession, the expensive perfume, to honor Jesus, while Jesus gives his life to save all of humanity. This reminds us that true generosity involves giving of ourselves, whether it be our time, our resources, or our love, for the benefit of others.

As we enter into this Holy Week, let us remember the lessons of this passage. Let us be grateful for the blessings in our lives, let us be compassionate towards others, and let us be generous with our time, our resources, and our love.

May we all strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and may we find peace and joy in serving others.