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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Six days before Passover…

Opinion

Six days before Passover…

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

So begins our Gospel reading. We come to Bethany for a dinner. Martha is serving. Lazarus is at table. Mary comes and anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive nard perfume which, according to Judas, could be sold for 300 denarii. If the denarius was worth about a day’s wage, then 300 denarii would be worth 173,700 Philippine pesos! There is no doubt that the family of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus is wealthy. Judas must have understood his role as “conscience,” reminding everybody that such perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor—words that are hypocritical, for not only does he not care for the poor, but he is also a thief, helping himself from the common fund of the disciples. Jesus corrects Judas and affirms the value of Mary’s gift that goes beyond this moment of encounter: his death that we highlight this week.

This passage makes us reflect about how it is to be a real friend of Jesus. Mary understood that she should give Jesus the best.
What do we give to the Lord? The choice portion, or the crumbs? Should we not think like Mary and, like her, give generously to the one who gave his life for us?

Responsorial Psalm • Psalm 27
“The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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REFLECTIONS 366 Days with the Lord

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