Monday of the Holy Week – 6th April 2020 – John 12,1-11
Need to respond like Mary
In this striking scene of contrasts, the insight of Mary and the blindness of Judas are brought out powerfully. The wonderful action of Mary anointing Jesus is told in a single verse, whereas the ugly scene of Judas’ taking offence at her action and Jesus’ rebuttal of him requires five verses. Mary recognizes who Jesus is and the fate that awaits him and so acts accordingly. Judas, on the other hand, has closed himself to the revelation of God in Jesus and acts to suit his selfish interests. By wiping the feet of Jesus with her hair, Mary anticipates the wiping of the disciples’ feet by Jesus at the last supper. The dinner that Jesus attends here is an anticipation of the last supper. Judas’ objection is an anticipation of the betrayer’s role that he will play later in the garden. Mary’s action pinpoints her role as true disciple of Jesus. On the other hand, Judas has shown that he is not a true disciple because he sees negatively the loving action of service. Jesus’ response to Judas points to the revelatory significance of Mary’s anointing. It is an anticipation of Jesus burial that sets the scene for the approaching events of Jesus’ passion. The focus of anointing here is the “hour” of Jesus. Jesus also reminds his disciples of the limited time before his “hour” and invites them to recognize that hour as Mary did and respond like her.
