John 12:1-11 Monday of Holy Week
It was the day after Palm Sunday and storm clouds were gathering on the horizon. Jesus knew of the danger and traveled the short distance to Bethany where his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. They happily arranged a dinner in his honor and in the midst of it Mary approached him with a precious ointment and began to anoint his feet. Judas was disgusted. He did not want to waste the precious lotion on the Lord. The incident is in some ways an example of those who argue that religion should be a matter of good works rather than contemplation and worship of God. Certainly taking care of the poor is a Christian duty but so is our duty to spend some time in prayer to God, seeking to cleanse our souls of the residue of sin that we pick up as we trample through life.