You have the poor with you always

Ish 42:1-7, Jn 12:1-11. As we enter into the Holy Week, we are invited to reflect on the love and forgiveness of God. In the first reading, the Lord sent us His salvation in the Messiah. The 'One' He sent will reveal God’s infinite and boundless love for us and liberate sinners from their bondage. Today's Gospel presents us with similar image of God: loving and forgiving Father. Having experienced the love and mercy of the Lord, Mary Magdalene took out an alabaster jar filled with expensive pure nard perfume, anointed the feet of the Lord with it and wiped His feet dry with her own hair. What Mary had done, was a symbol of her appreciation, total love, surrender, humility and commitment to the Lord.

A woman’s hair is her glory and her crown and the beauty of a woman is often linked to her hair. Yet, Mary used her hair, her own glory, to do what seem to be the most humiliating of all tasks, that is, to wipe another person's feet, which in contrast to the hair, is associated with filth, humiliation and dishonour. With faith and humility, recognising her own sinfulness and unworthiness before God, Mary gave her best to serve the Lord and seek Him for His love, mercy and forgiveness. In contrast, Judas Iscariot, filled with selfishness, greed and pride complained about Mary's action. As we journey through this Holy Week, let us deepen our relationship with God and reflect more on the His love for us and compassionate mercy, by which He willingly humbled Himself and took the burden of the cross.

May the Lord continue to guide us, strengthen our faith and inspire us to live our lives following the good example of the humility of Mary, who gave her all in service to God! Amen!! Good morning and have a spirit filled Holy Week!!!