John 12:1-8
1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
The Nard Fragrance of Mary vs. Judas
Lazarus' sisters, Martha and Mary, celebrate an extra-ordinary event in human history, the return of their unique brother to earthly life. They are hosting a gathering in honor of their friend Jesus, who brought him back to them alive.
Mary offers a spontaneous gesture of gratitude to Jesus when she anoints His feet with the most expensive nard perfume and wipes them with her hair. Her brother's life is priceless, and no matter how expensive the perfume is, it is not worth even a little of her brother's wellbeing.
The One who loves Lazarus and brought him back to life deserves to be honored in the best way. No matter what is offered to Him, it will not be His due gratitude. Mary is acting out of love, respect and gratitude. Anyone would know that the great gift Mary and Martha have received in Lazarus' life would be able to understand why this spontaneous act was done.
Judas, who also attends the party, has another perspective—how best to benefit from this rare and precious perfume? His mind was in the box. Was it for charity or a pretext to spend for a purpose that is not consistent with charity? “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" (V. 5). (One denarius was considered a fair salary for a day.)
Judas thinks that Passover is an appropriate time for fundraising, why not benefit from it? Jesus' reaction goes beyond and deeper. Mary did what she did to honor her brother's return to earthly life. Jesus takes it to prepare for His earthly death, which will be followed by eternal life. Judas questions the management of this perfume treasure. Jesus never neglects the poor. He knows that the poor will always be with us, but He will not always be with us (v. 8). Jesus identifies Himself with the least of His brothers, "Whatever you did to the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me" Matthew 25:40.
We are invited to read today's Gospel again and give a time of meditation, followed by a self-reaction about Mary's and Judas' perspectives.
Do we experience what the Lord says, "Freely you have received, freely give” Matthew 10:8b? Do we experience a free gift, that we in turn can offer without expecting anything back? This would include visiting the sick, listening to someone in need, or being a helping hand anonymously.
Do we feel obligated to someone who offers us a gift or feel the need to reciprocate gifts we receive?
Do we send a thank you note to Jesus, recognizing His graces that He bestows upon us?
What gift am I going to offer Jesus in this time of Lent as I prepare for His Passion and Resurrection?
+ Any charity for the poor?
"Whatever you do, work it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” Colossians 3:23.
May the fragrance of the nard offered by Mary fill our hearts more than our houses!