Fifth Sunday in Lent 2025
John 12:1-8
Rev. Neli Miranda
On the fifth Sunday in Lent, our Gospel readings shift from Luke
to John’s account, where Jesus arrives in Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha,
and their brother Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead. As John details
in the preceding chapter, this act by Jesus has
placed the Jewish authorities on high alert. So, after this event, the chief priests
and the Pharisees concerned about Jesus’ growing influence, called a council
meeting and asked themselves, “What are we to do?
This man is performing many signs” (11:47). They feared
the potential political repercussions of Jesus’ action in the eyes of the Roman
authorities; thus, they begin to plot Jesus’ death. Aware that Jesus is coming to Jerusalem to
celebrate Passover, the chief priests and the Pharisees have given orders that anyone
knowing his location should report it, so that they might arrest him and
silence his message.
Today’s gospel begins by noting that Passover is
drawing near, and as Jesus arrives in Bethany, two miles from Jerusalem, so too
is his hour approaching. In gratitude to Jesus, Martha, Mary and Lazarus host a
dinner for him in their home. During the meal, Mary, in an act of profound and
prophetic devotion, takes a pound of costly perfume of pure nard, and anoints Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair. Mary’s action deeply moves
Jesus at this crucial moment, announcing him his death and burial. Indeed, it is
a crucial time for him! His sacrifice is imminent, and many emotions overwhelm
him this night in Bethany.
As Jesus faces the Jewish
authorities threat and the anguish of his approaching death, Mary’s
action embodies profound love, comfort, and solidarity for him. Aware of his unwavering commitment to his mission and
foreseeing his approaching suffering in Jerusalem, Mary stands steadfast by
him. While others celebrate, Mary offers Jesus comfort by
anointing his feet and wiping them with her hair, preparing him as if for his
burial. Her act reveals her profound love for Jesus; she recognizes him as the
Messiah and though
faced with the threats from the Jewish authorities, she faithfully offers Jesus
her complete devotion and total allegiance.
Through her actions, Mary let Jesus know that she
understands what is to come. Perhaps, as she is anointing him, she whispers, “I
understand you… I am here for you…” Mary
defies the social conventions of her time that restricted women’s public actions.
By letting her hair down in public, a gesture that in her time identified a woman
as a prostitute, she risks social condemnation. Yet, Jesus receives her
offering with profound gratitude, recognizing the depth of her love and the
prophetic significance of her actions.
In the Old Testament, it
was customary to consecrate kings and priests by anointing their heads with oil
which symbolized their authority. However, Mary breaks this tradition by
anointing Jesus’ feet, the lowliest
part
of the body. Thus, Jesus is not the conventional king or Messiah seeking
earthly power, but a servant—the Messiah who walks and identifies with his
people. Later, at the Last Supper, Jesus will imitate Mary’s gesture by washing
his disciples’ feet, commanding them to imitate this act
among the community.
In contrast to Mary, Judas,
one of the twelve disciples, is upset and observes, in his opinion, that a costly
perfume has been wasted. He argues that it could have been sold for three
hundred denarii, a considerable sum, and given to the poor. John remarks that Judas is not really
concerned for the poor but with saving money in the “group’s bag” for his own
benefit. Did Mary do the right thing anointing Jesus with that costly perfume? Jesus,
discerning Mary’s heart and the prophetic nature of her actions, rebukes Judas,
stating, “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” (12,7). Jesus reads and interprets Mary’s action as a
prophetic gesture, a preparation for his burial. In this light, Mary is the
prophet who discern the present reality of Jesus’ impending suffering and offers
him solace and solidarity, silently proclaiming “I am here for you!”
Dear sisters and
brother, how often are we sensitive enough to recognize and understand the
suffering of those around us? How often do we offer them our unwavering
solidarity and acts of comfort? Following Mary’s example, how can we best
accompany those facing illness, loss, or despair? What tangible gestures of
solidarity can we extend to bring solace to those in pain, to those who feel as
though they are merely awaiting the end? What concrete expressions of compassion
and support can we offer in a world filled with uncertainty and fear?
As we follow and accompany
Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, we find ourselves alongside Mary of Bethany,
the faithful disciple, who in the midst of anguish, uncertainty, and threat,
she offers love, devotion, solidarity, and complete self-giving. She calls us,
today, to recognize the face of Jesus in those whose lives are threatened by
different situations. May we comfort them with the 'perfume' of our love, and
may its fragrance fill the world. Amen.
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario