Monday of Holy Week
Isa 42:1-7
Jn 12:1-11
“she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial…”
As we head into Holy Week, it is time for some deep reflections. Today’s Gospel is an interesting one. It recounts the dinner where Jesus is at the table with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, whom our Lord raised from the dead not too long ago. Did you catch the foreshadowing here?
The three siblings, Martha, Mary and Lazarus are disciples of Christ. They love Jesus and are faithful. They are also loved by our Lord. Recall at this dinner — Mary once again, showing her great faith, repentance, and love for Christ, lavished an extremely expensive ointment to anoint Jesus’ feet and proceeded to wipe His feet with her hair.
In the eyes of the world and the likes of Judas Iscariot (the betrayer), this seems ridiculous and wasteful. Money used to purchase the ointment could be better used elsewhere, and wiping our Lord’s feet with her hair? What is she thinking of? Judas judged and criticized Mary for what he deems to be wasteful; he claimed that the ointment could be sold and money given to the poor, but what he really means is that he could help himself to the money instead.
Perhaps, from the standpoint of the world and all that it pursues, this seems excessive and wasteful. But in the eyes of God, it is a different matter. So it is with all. We ‘see’ as the world sees; and judge the value of people, place, and things according to this perceived view. This is not truly ‘seeing’, as it is littered with biases or opinions formed by society and perhaps tainted by sins. On the other hand, God sees all, whether it is in the light or in the dark, transparent or concealed agendas; nothing is hidden from Him.
You probably heard quite often that we should not judge a book by its cover nor a person by his/her looks. Yet, more often than not, that’s how we see and judge others. You and I are a shallow bunch of people. We ‘see’ a person and judge them according to first impressions, based on their looks, physique, wealth, career, ambition, family background, etc. The last thing we would consider is their heart and soul.
Fortunately, God does not see like we see, but He sees the true person; He sees what is hidden, deep into the heart and soul of the person. This is what truly matters in the long run. Looks, money and intellect will fade, but a person’s soul lives on. Let’s pay attention to our interior life, live to worship and to do the Father’s will. Let’s not get distracted by what is transient but focus on what is eternal. After all, the only judgment we should care about is that of God’s.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us the Grace to see Jesus in others. To see as You see, and help us to focus on what is important and eternal, the wellness of our souls.
Thanksgiving: Dearest Lord, thank you for loving us, and reaching out to us even when we are undeserving. Thank you for not focusing on our shortcomings but teaching us the ultimate truth – that You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.
OXYGEN 
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