John 12:1–11
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to
Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave
a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with
him. 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. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to
betray him), said, 'Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and
the money given to the poor?' (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.) Jesus said, 'Leave her alone. She bought it so that she
might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but
you do not always have me.' When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he
was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he
had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death
as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and
were believing in Jesus."
Reflection
What is my gift to give him this day as I
pray?
Can I open my heart to receive the gift
that God gives to me?