Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (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.)
Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
As we read today’s Gospel, we are struck that each of the guests had their own way of drawing close to Jesus. We imagine Lazarus sitting at the table with Jesus, laughing and telling stories; Martha showing her love by serving, and Mary physically anointing Jesus.
We also notice that Judas challenges Mary’s choice, yet she is undeterred, peaceful in her knowledge of how she is being called to serve. There are many ways to pray, and we are called to different forms of prayer at different times in our lives. How can we listen to the inner voice that calls us to a particular form of prayer, even if it is different from how we’ve prayed in the past?
“I want and I choose what leads to a deepening of God’s life in me.” How is my prayer today leading to a deepening of God’s life in me?
—Katie and Ruston Broussard. Katie illustrates children's books, including Audacious Ignatius, and Ruston is the math department chair at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
Lord, my God,
When your love spilled over into creation
You thought of me.
I am from Love, of Love, for Love.
Let my heart, O God, always recognize, cherish and enjoy
Your goodness in all of creation.
Direct all that is me toward your praise.
Teach me reverence for every person, all things.
Energize me in your service.
Lord God, may nothing ever distract me from your love.
Neither health nor sickness, wealth nor poverty honor nor dishonor, long life or short life.
May I never seek, nor choose to be other than you intend or wish.
—First Principle and Foundation of St. Ignatius Loyola Paraphrased by Jacqueline Bergan and Sr. Marie Schwan
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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.
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