Dear Friends,
Our readings for this Fifth Sunday of Lent, also known as Passion Sunday (links below), prepare us for the approach of Holy Week—the time of Our Lord’s betrayal, suffering and death before his glorious Resurrection.
In his letter to the Philippians, St Paul writes fervently of his desire to know Christ through both his suffering and his Resurrection, comparing his pursuit of the crucified and risen Christ to a race. Our journeys of faith, like Paul’s, involve leaving the past behind and eagerly striving toward the goal of sharing in Christ’s Resurrection.
Our Gospel reading from John 12 takes place in Bethany where Jesus is sharing a meal with his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with some obscenely expensive perfume, symbolising her love and devotion—despite the protest of the soon-to-be-betrayer Judas that the perfume could be sold to help the poor. The passage not only points to the extravagance of Mary’s gesture, but also the impending death of Jesus, as anointing was a prelude to burial. Judas’ focus on practicality contrasts with Mary’s deep, loving devotion, which transcends material concerns.
This might cause us to reflect on the nature of true Christ-like generosity, charity and love. Yes, charity might begin at home but should extend beyond it. It might also prompt us to consider how we live out our faith in Jesus—whether we, like Mary, offer love unreservedly or whether we, like Judas, miss the deeper meaning.
As Christians we should live daily in the hope of the Resurrection, embracing a life of generous and extravagant love that reaches out to the world.
Yours in Christ,
Ian
