Reading
John 12:1-8 (NRSV)
Mary anoints Jesus for his burial
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
Mary anoints Jesus for his burial
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
Reflection
Judas was a thief and Jesus was a thief. They both took what was not theirs. Judas stole from the common purse and Jesus stole from what all men had in common. Judas stole what was thought to be of great value. Jesus stole what we deserved for our sin. Jesus paid the price for the sin we committed.
What were the results? Judas faced death. Jesus faced death. Jesus brought forth life eternal. Judas faced the results of betrayal. Jesus transformed that betrayal into faith and hope and love and a community of the redeemed.
I too am a thief, but thanks be to God, I can turn to Jesus and what he did for all of us, and be transformed by the creator of life.
Prayer
Lord, take my sin from me and change me into what you would have me be. Take my life and make it what you wish it to be. Take me and transform me into your delight. --- Amen
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