Monday of Holy Week

[cappie]

Monday in Holy Week offers a pause, a chance to recollect from the drama of yesterday before plunging into the sacred events to come.

Today’s reading from Isaiah reminds us that we are all called to emulate this ministry. It is a struggle though; that is why Jesus’ actions were startling to the Romans and why we still find them challenging today. This prophetic call to liberate the sick, the imprisoned, and those who “live in darkness” is especially important as we look towards the crucified Jesus. He died doing what God asked of him. He liberated the sick, the imprisoned, and those who “live in darkness.”

We journey with Jesus to Bethany - to the home of his good friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus for a celebratory party. Jesus has called Lazarus from the grave and filled him with new life, making the impossible possible, bringing triumph from tragedy. For Martha, it is evident that Jesus is the Messiah. Mary in her gratitude, takes the costliest exquisite perfume money can buy. In adoration, she kneels at the feet of Jesus and offers anointing to the anointed one – the Christ.  The moment is beautiful, intense, intimate and the house is filled with this fragrant offering. Jesus has saved Mary’s brother.

And it’s just the beginning – a foretaste of what is to come as Jesus continues his journey to secure salvation for us all. 

But there are other odours in this house too. Below the surface, in the shadows and corners lingers a different scent – something rotten and deadly. It’s the smell of envy, outrage and hypocrisy. Soon it will deepen into the scent of betrayal and death. Judas - who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing - attempts to grab the moral high ground and place himself in the limelight – drawing the focus away from fluid adoration to rigid certainty. 

Just a few short weeks ago we gathered at the crib of the infant Jesus encouraging one another to sing loud and long: ‘O come let us adore him’. Where is our adoration now? What lingers in the shadows of our hearts and minds this Passion Sunday? What attitudes, behaviours and judgements keep us from offering wholehearted praise to the one who brings new life from death?