Isaiah 42:1-7 / John 12:1-11
As we enter into Holy Week, we enter into a week that stirs up emotions.
Holy Week can be called a week of emotions.
In the gospel passage, Mary did something that was rather difficult to comprehend.
She brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair.
Besides the house being full of the scent of the ointment, it was also full of reactions of the people in the house.
Judas Iscariot was first to react with criticism about the cost of ointment, but that was because he had other motives about the money.
The reply of Jesus was rather baffling, as He talked about His burial.
As for the chief priests, they not only wanted to kill Jesus, they even wanted to do away with Lazarus as well.
All these dramatic incidents are heavy with emotions.
But the 1st reading brings us to focus on Jesus, who is the central figure in Holy Week.
Jesus is appointed by God as the covenant of the people and the light of the nations.
He will open our eyes and free us from darkness.
Let us keep our focus on Jesus and feel His love for us as we journey on into Holy Week.