Isaiah 42:1-7 / John 12:1-11
The drama of life can be so complex that even two seemingly mutually exclusive and nothing-to-do-with-each-other experiences can exist side by side.
If we are wondering whether this is possible, we just have to think about a formula for a box-office success movie, and that is to combine war with a romance story.
Logically it doesn't seem to make a good combination; it's more like a contradiction. But surprisingly love in the midst of violence seems to appeal to our emotions.
The gospel also seems to have two events that doesn't seem to fit into the same passage.
It began with a very tender and intimate act of love by Mary for Jesus - anointing His feet with a very costly ointment and wiping them with her hair.
But it was immediately followed by a criticism from Judas, and we were also told that there were ulterior motives behind it.
And following that was another more evil and sinister intention - to kill Jesus, as well as Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead.
So in just a short gospel passage, there were enough of drama to make a box-office hit.
Yet, that kind of drama also happens in our lives. In the midst of suffering there is compassion; in the midst of hate, there is love; in the midst of difficulties, there is help; in the midst of despair, there is hope.
Yes, even in the midst of sin, there is grace. For where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more (Rom 5:20).
So no matter how complex or complicated life is, God is always there. Holy Week tells us that. May we stand by Jesus in His suffering and death, so that we can share in His resurrection.