Readings
I - Is. 42: 1-7
II - Jn. 12: 1-11
LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
Jesus was in the constant surveillance of the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Chief Priests. Every word, act and move of Jesus was noted for plotting against him. Psychology records that constant surveillance leads to heightened levels of fatigue, stress and anxiety. Jesus like any other human being would have sought for a place where he could be of himself: loved, accepted, understood and attended. So Jesus goes to Bethany, the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary where he was sure to get acceptance, comfort, consolation and affection before he could take up the painful and humiliating journey from Jerusalem to Calvary. And indeed in this house, as the Gospel passage records, Martha served, Lazarus was reclining with him at table and Mary was anointing his feet with a fragrant perfume that was expensive - perfect expression of their love and affection.
We are in the holy week of the Lenten season meditating on the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. A time to realise and respond to the love of Jesus who suffered humiliation, passion and death for our sake. Like, Lazarus, Mary and Martha let us try to respond to God’s love in our own way through various expressions of our love for God and our neighbour. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the grace to respond to your love”.
