Author: Alan Mathew

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.

Scripture: Philippians 2:5–11

5 Let the same mind be in you that was[a] in Christ Jesus,

6 who, though he existed in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    assuming human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a human,
8     he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God exalted him even more highly
    and gave him the name
    that is above every other name,
10 so that at the name given to Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, who humbled Yourself for love of the world, shape our hearts after Yours. Teach us humility, compassion, and obedience, that we may walk Your way with faithfulness. Amen.

Reflection:
Holy Week draws us into the depth of Christ’s love. The One who had every right to power chose instead the path of service. The cross reveals not defeat but divine self‑giving. As we approach Good Friday, we are invited to see again the love that holds nothing back—and to let that love reshape our lives.

Scripture: John 12:24–26

24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit. 25 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

Prayer:
Creator God, plant Your life within us. Help us trust the slow work of transformation and welcome the new things You are growing. Amen.

Reflection:
A seed must fall, be buried, and break open before new life emerges. Jesus uses this image to describe His own path—and ours. Growth often begins in hidden places. Lent teaches us patience with God’s timing and courage to let old patterns die so that something more life‑giving can rise.