The Gospel for Holy Monday

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. John 12:1-11

Jesus had arrived in Bethany as a guest of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It would be his final visit with them and the meal was somewhat of a celebration as the disciples had also been invited, and Lazarus who had been raised was with them. You can imagine the conversation: sharing experiences of the past and talking about things to come. It was a night filled with joy and melancholy. In the midst of the meal, overflowing with gratitude Mary removed from her trunk the ointment that she had been saving for this occasion. It was expensive perfume, costing almost an annual wage. She knelt before Jesus and began pouring the fragrant oil over the feet of Jesus. Judas, the keeper of the purse, was enraged, how could one be so wasteful. It should have been sold and given to the poor.

Who do we identify with in the story: Mary or Judas: one filled with faith and gratitude, one careful and prudent; one acting spontanieously, the other with calculation; one unaware of those about her; the other noticing and objecting; one acting out of love; one simply reacting.

Let us use this day to reflect about our own relationship with Jesus. How do we respond to his unconditional love?

Monday in Holy Week

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified. Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day
BCP, page 220

The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 51

On Brethren Who Go Not Very Far Away

A Brother who is sent out on some business
and is expected to return to the monastery that same day
shall not presume to eat while he is out,
even if he is urgently requested to do so
by any person whomsoever,
unless he has permission from his Abbot.
And if he acts otherwise, let him be excommunicated.