Today's Gospel on this Holy Monday is about Mary anointing Jesus's hands and feet and then drying them with her hair. Let me set the scene, Mary, Lazarus' sister is sitting before Jesus. His feet and hands are dry and tired from the environment and from his travels. Mary sees an opportunity to bring comfort to her Lord. She opens a bottle of oil and begins to massage Jesus' hands and feet. The oil is expensive and is filled with spice which fills the room with fragrance.You know, our love and service to Jesus can also bring him comfort and fill the room with fragrance. Each time we stop and spend time with Jesus, just as Mary did; each time we talk to him; learn from him; love him. And in doing so, we learn how to love those around us. Mary was physically touching The Lord, and we can do the same.
Our lives should become that oil, soothing the lives of others. As we bring comfort to them, we are bringing comfort to our Lord. We must learn to love those around us, for we are all God's children. It does not matter if they accept this fact, what matters is that we accept it and show it through our words and action.
Each day is a new opportunity to bring comfort to Jesus, to soothe his tired and dry hands and feet, our work filling the room with fragrance. Jesus deserves the best we have to offer, just as Mary used the expensive oil, there is a difference.
Today, I will stop by my parish office to pick up the tickets to attend tomorrow evening Chrism Mass. I have the joy of accepting the oils for my parish to be used at the Easter Vigil and through out this year. I pray that each time we enter the church and see these holy oils, we are reminded that our lives can bring comfort to others and to Jesus. We just need to open the bottle.
