Welcome to Holy Week!

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You think you have drama in your life?  Well, stay tuned for the week we are entering into.  I hope you have managed to have a deeply spiritual experience during this Lent because the joy of the resurrection will soon be released upon us.

Here’s the scene we step into today.  I must start by asking an obvious question.

How dare Judas ask, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” (Remember, Judas was given 30 pieces of silver to turn Jesus over to the authorities, which led to his death.)

Judas wasn’t alone in wondering about this according to the other gospels.  There were others that wondered the same thing, but how dare he, in particular, ask this question since he was a thief and actually stole contributions from people?

Did he really care about the poor?  No, of course not, and although he gives the appearance of taking the high moral ground during this exchange (Gospel of John, Chapter 12) at the house of Simon the leper, in front of Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, he certainly is not fooling Jesus.

Jesus tells him simply, “Leave her alone.  Let her keep this for the day of my burial."  Jesus goes on to say that we will always have the poor with us and, in anticipation of his death, points out that we will not always have him.

For all that could be said about this exchange, the importance of the oil and the action of Judas, I love the line, “Leave her alone.”

Jesus doesn’t need to get into some big debate with Judas or give some clarifying reasoning.  No he shuts the discussion down and jumps from “leave her alone” to reminding them to take care of the poor after he is gone.

That’s not just a suggestion or a nice recommendation.  It is a mission that each of us needs to embrace and take seriously.  And one of the ways we can do that is by supporting our churches and charities, especially now, so that they can continue their work.  It isn’t an option for them, nor for us.  The poor are with us now, and we must continue to care for them however we are able.

If you have a found a way to help, mention it here.  We won’t take it as boasting.  It might inspire someone else!

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.blogspot.com
janetcassidy.blubrry.net

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