In today’s Gospel Mary performs a loving and prophetic action. “Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil…and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair.” Her actions provoked different responses. Judas, seemingly with genuine concern for the poor but hypocritically, objects to this waste of money since it could have been used to help the poor. Jesus not only associated with the poor and the outcast but also told his disciples that they would be judged on whatsoever to the least, to the poor. Jesus, however, rebukes Judas’s condemnation of Mary’s actions. Jesus teaches his disciples that Mary’s action is prophetic: “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” Mary’s anointing announces Jesus’ coming passion and death.
Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and dried his feet with her hair. In the next chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus will wash the feet of his disciples and dry them with a towel. Jesus then explains the meaning of his action to his disciples:
“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:12-15).
As Jesus gives his disciples an example or model, so Mary has already given Jesus an example or model in today’s Gospel as she anoints his feet.
Jesus is the “master and teacher” who washes the feet of his disciples. His way is the way of service, humility, and sacrifice. Mary not only follows this way of Jesus through her humility and service but also prophetically announces the coming death of Jesus.
This Holy Week we are invited to follow the way of the cross. This invitation is not to look for pain and suffering for its own sake. It is an invitation to follow the way of Mary and anoint one another. It is an invitation to follow the way of Jesus and to be people of compassion and models of service, humility, and sacrifice.
Image: “Mary Anoints Jesus” by elizaraxi is licensed under CC BY 2.0.