Holy Monday — The Anointed Christ

Scripture: John 12:1–8

Mary Anoints Jesus
12 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him. 3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’s feet, and wiped them[a] with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” 6 (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.) 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it[b] so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, receive the offering of our hearts. Teach us to love You with generosity, humility, and gratitude. Amen.

Reflection:
Mary breaks open her jar of perfume and pours out everything—no calculation, no hesitation. Her act is extravagant, but so is the love of Christ. Holy Monday invites us to consider what we hold back. True devotion is not measured in efficiency but in love freely given. As Jesus moves toward the cross, Mary’s gift becomes a sign: love poured out is never wasted.