Today is Day 26 of our walk through the Gospel of John!  Thanks so much for joining us!  We'd love to hear from you - contact us at our website: www.markandkatiemartinez.com

A Reflection on John 12:1-11

“Jesus said, ‘Let her alone…’” (v 7)

Mary, overwhelmed with love for Jesus, is compelled to act on that love. He is the Christ, the one who resurrected her brother, and now he is the king of her heart. She prepares for him a costly gift, one pound of pure nard, worth 300 days’ wages. And as they are reclining for their meal, Mary quietly approaches Jesus. The eyes of all are on her as she sits at His feet and lovingly pours the ointment over them. It mingles with her tears of love, of gratitude, of awe. She pours out every last drop, so that the house is filled with its fragrance. When the oil is spent, she gently wipes His feet with her hair. She is captivated in her task, aware only of her Lord before her and the love for Him that burns within her. As she finishes, she rests in His gaze, aware that He is well pleased with her gift. Her heart is full, and on her own accord she will never leave His side.

But the moment passes all too soon. With the grumbling of Judas, her heart becomes troubled and doubtful. Is he right? Should she have sold the oil instead? Perhaps the Lord would have been more pleased if she had done so. She knows His heart is for the poor, the lost, the sick, and the broken. She had wanted to show Him how much He meant to her, but maybe He didn’t want such an extravagant showing. Devastated, she looks into His eyes, searching for the confirmation that what Judas said was true. But instead of disappointment, she sees only Love. “Let her alone,” He says, looking straight into her eyes, “The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me” (v 8). I am well pleased with you, my beloved sister, you have done well.

Jesus, I want to love you like Mary did. But then the doubt creeps in and I begin to worry about my motives. Teach me to Love as she did. Help me to remember that you are well pleased with my acts of love, and that you see my heart.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.