Readings: Is 42:1-7; Jn 12: 1-11
Today’s first reading presents to us Jesus as a suffering servant. It says, “Here is my servant I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my spirit in him, and he will bring justice to the nations”.
Today the “suffering servant” is in the poor and those who need our help. We are called to reach out to them as Jesus did to the poor and the outcast of his time. There are different ways to help our neighbour who are in desperate situations. We only need to open our eyes that see things differently.
Just six days before the Passover Jesus probably paid his last visit to his close friends at Bethany. The fellowship dinner that was offered by the family of Lazarus, Mary and Martha seemed to foreshadow the banquet at the last supper. Expressing Gratitude to Jesus, this particularly family did something extraordinary which seemed unacceptable to Judas Iscariot. Anointing the feet of Jesus with the most expensive ointment was like giving the best gift that Mary could offer to the Lord, but to Judas’ eyes it was a waste of money.
When money speaks the truth is silent. Th attitude of over concerning about money will lead a person to value wealth more than people. There are many poor people today in the world who, in the eyes of the wealthy politicians, business elite and celebrities, seem to be less important than animals. As Christian faithful we are invited to pay a visit to our poor neighbours irrespective of who they are. Visiting families reinforce our call to experience the joy of sharing and togetherness.