April 3, 2023

“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.” (John 12:1-4)

This is Monday in Holy Week scene is one of the most riveting in the bible. The pound of pure nard was an heirloom, a trust fund, the family IRA. So, there’s that.

But here’s what I like to believe. The fragrance of the perfume clung to Jesus all through his final week, right up to his death on the cross. Even as he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, he was comforted by the aroma of the love and devotion poured out by Mary.

“Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Monday in Holy Week – BCP)