“An egg given during life for love of God is more profitable for eternity than a cathedral full of gold given after death.”
READ: JOHN 12:1–11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot — one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him — said, “Why wasn’t this ointment 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 was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.” Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
“Martha waited on them.”
Martha: How can I describe to you that scene? Something new was in the Lord’s eyes in those last days before His Passion. It was a new intensity, a new determination. Maybe “new” isn’t the right word — it was just more of what had always been there: more intensity, more determination, more attention, more love. And it spread to everyone around Him. I will never forget watching Him at dinner, surrounded by His apostles, with Mary, so content, sitting at His feet and the other guests unable to look away from Him. He was like a glowing hearth that drew in and warmed everyone around Him. His presence filled everyone with light and vigor and a freshness of life.
What the aroma of Mary’s perfume was for our senses, Jesus had already been for our minds and hearts. Whenever I smell perfume now, it reminds me of the gentle power of His presence, which since then has never left me. And I knew that just as the perfume filled the house with its sweet and delicious scent, just so the Lord’s life-giving presence was going to spread and fill every corner of history and the world.
RESPOND
Teach me to love You as I should, Lord. Turn me around — I don’t want to keep gazing in the mirror and worrying about what others think of me and how I can achieve more than they do. I want to gaze at You, at Your truth, at the beauty of Your Kingdom. I want to care only about pouring out my life in Your service, like Mary’s perfume, so that I can spread the fullness of life to those around me.
I wonder if I have it too easy, Lord. Maybe if my life were a bit less comfortable and pleasant, I would more easily remember that I am here to fulfill a mission, not just to have a good time. You lived Your life intensely, focusing on Your Father’s will and the mission He had given You. And that intensity, that focus, was the source of Your joy and Your fruitfulness. Help me, Lord, to follow Your example.
REST
Lord Jesus, You have already given me so much, but I want to ask You to come anew into my life, to make me experience again the sweet aroma of Your presence. I forget so easily, Lord. The troubles of life dull my faith and hope. I need You to come and dine with me, to let me sit at Your feet and drink in Your wisdom. I want to keep fighting for Your Kingdom. Lord Jesus, give me strength.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
