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When I first read today’s Gospel, the anointing at Bethany, I thought, “Wow, that is an awkward moment between Judas and Jesus. Mary, the sister of Lazarus wants to annoint Jesus’s feet with the most expensive oil. Judas pipes in exclaiming that the money used for the oil should be given to the poor. Jesus says, “actually, no, she was right to buy the best for my feast.”

I have to side with Judas for a moment, not because I am stealing from the church, but I have had similar thoughts. Why do we spend money to build the most elaborate temples while our neighbors go hungry?

But as I as I step back from that thought, I realize that Jesus is right to expect the best of us. Not in money and material things but in our behavior; the way we present ourselves before Him. We are blessed because Jesus is present to us every time we celebrate mass. When we are present before Christ, why don’t we wear our “Sunday best” and practice our most reverent behavior, turn off our cell phones and stay until the priest exits the church? It is easy to become lazy in our weekly worship, to forget what is really going on in our presence, I mean its the same thing every week, right? I pray that during Lent we can all find a renewed spirit in the Eucharist and like Mary, figure out how to give God our best!

Bio: Jenny lives and works in Oak Park. She currently works as a case manager for adults with developmental disabilities. When she is not working, she is busy as a parishioner at St. Edmunds Parish in Oak Park. She is an active member the young adult group, SEYA, and helps to plan many events including Theology on Tap.

She knew what was coming. She had listened to him long and closely enough to understand. He would not back down from what he knew to be true. He’d brought Lazarus back from the dead, but he wouldn’t save himself. He was on the path to martyrdom.

She could feel his sadness, despite his ease at dinner. He was centered and calm but the word on the street was that he was a marked man. How could someone who only spoke of peace, be considered a threat? Why couldn’t he lay low for a while and stop performing signs and calling attention to himself? But then, if he did, who would he be? She had never met anyone like him, anyone who lived in such complete integrity. He would speak his truth in the service of God…..his “Abba”.

She struggled, not knowing how to let him know that she shared his pain. No one else seemed to feel it, or they were denying the Teacher’s precarious position. What could she do? She might not see him again before it had all come to pass. Then it came to her…..

Mary took the precious oil used to anoint the dead for burial. She knelt and anointed Jesus’ feet, drying them with her hair. With every drop of oil, another of her sins came to mind. She had betrayed him every time she ignored his teaching, his beautiful teaching of love and forgiveness; every time she sought revenge. She had betrayed him every time she was silent in the face of evil; every time she passed by someone in need and did not even give them the dignity of a glance. How many times had he talked to her of seeing his face in the least of their brethren?

She felt his hand on her head and raised her eyes to Christ’s where she saw compassion, and forgiveness, and thanks. Healing washed over her, and when he said “…you do not always have me”, she nearly wept. All she could think was “He is doing this for us….for me.” And his love would not end with his death. Somehow she was certain of that. It would be there for all those who followed him. Did God need his sacrifice? No…in his eyes she saw the answer….man needed it.

Bio: Pam Coster is the Executive Director of Charis Ministries, a Jesuit ministry to those in their 20s and 30s. She has been in ministry for fifteen years and also served as a parish Director of Faith Formation and consultant in the area of adult formation. Pam is on the boards of Catholics on Call, a young adult vocation program; Loyola Press and Lawrence Hall Youth Services.