Holy Week / Day 2
Anointed
April 11 // MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Readings : Isaiah 42:1-7; JOHN 12:1-11
SCRIPTURE :
“Let her keep this for the day of my burial.” John 12:7
REFLECTION :
We so easily refer to Jesus as “Christ” that the latter is tantamount to a last name. “Christ” is not a surname, however, but a title. It means “Anointed One,” typically rendered “Messiah.” At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus interprets the outpouring of the Spirit at his baptism as an anointing that will lead him to bring good news to the poor, sight to the blind, and freedom to captives [Luke 4:14-21; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2]. In today’s Gospel, near the end of his life and ministry, Jesus receives another anointing, from Mary of Bethany. Mary’s anointing with costly oil is an extravagant gesture of love for Jesus, who defends her gesture, interpreting it as an anticipatory burial anointing. Messiah he is, but one whose mission includes suffering and death. The first reading, from Isaiah, is the first of four songs of “the Servant of the Lord.” We will hear all four Servant Songs during Holy Week, culminating on Good Friday. From early on in the Church (likely starting with Jesus himself), the Servant described in these songs has been understood to illuminate Jesus’ ministry and, especially, his suffering and death.
Today’s reading evokes much of what Jesus set forth at the outset of his ministry—e.g., opening the eyes of the blind, bringing forth captives from the dungeon. The song also accents the Servant’s nonviolence and gentleness (“Not crying out, not shouting, / . . . A bruised reed he shall not break”). The gentleness of the Servant is not weakness, but rather is an expression of power, the power of love. Something to keep in mind throughout the week as we prayerfully contemplate Jesus, the suffering Messiah.
MEDITATION :
Mary used so much oil to anoint the feet of Jesus that “the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” Her extravagance was in proportion to her love. How will we give extravagantly to Jesus? With what act of service will we show our boundless love this Holy Week?
PRAYER :
Jesus, the presence of your friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus was a comfort to you as you neared the end of your life. May we be a comforting presence to all we encounter, ready to relieve their suffering in any way we can.
REFLECTIONS ADAPTED FROM : Not By Bread Alone by Amy Ekeh, Thomas D. Stegman SJ
IMAGE CREDIT : A Woman Anoints the Feet of Jesus by James Tissot.
Holy Week / Day 1
Enter the Story
April 10 // Palm Sunday
Readings : Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56 or 23:1-49
SCRIPTURE :
And now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. Luke 19:37
REFLECTION :
I don’t know if you have ever experienced actually using palms on Palm Sunday at church. I can just imagine children having fun with them as they are passed down the row, held in the air, wiggled and waved, gripped in palms of every size, from largest to smallest. Waving palms on Palm Sunday is an old tradition. We do it like we do so many things in liturgy—with our bodies as well as our minds, hearts, and voices. We feel the smoothness of the palm in our hands, we see its sleek lines and its pale green colour, we feel the air move as we wave it, we see how many fill the church, we feel the energy in the room. With this day—with this movement and this liturgy—we move into the dance, the ceremony of Holy Week.
When we reach out and take the palm, we commit ourselves to an ancient story and our part in it. We become the crowd. The Pharisees were scandalised by the shouting and praising and joy of the welcoming crowds, all because of Jesus. They told Jesus to silence his disciples, to make the people stop, as he approached the Mount of Olives. But Jesus didn’t stop the people, and he won’t stop us. We know what is to come. But for today, for now, we take up palms. We pass them down the row. We place one in every hand, largest to smallest. We enter the story.
MEDITATION :
We hear two Gospel readings today: Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the passion story. The people who jubilantly welcome Jesus’ yell, a few days later. “Crucify him!” Their fickleness contrasts with Jesus’ faithfulness. He enters the city riding on a beast of burden, not on a warhorse. In death, he embodies what he has taught: loving and forgiving his enemies; reaching out in mercy to the marginalised (i.e., the repentant criminal); praying with trust to his Father.
PRAYER :
Lord Jesus, as I hold my palm, help me to recall your faithfulness-and-love-unto-death.
REFLECTIONS ADAPTED FROM : Not By Bread Alone by Amy Ekeh, Thomas D. Stegman SJ