John 12:1-11

Isaiah 42:1-7

Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14

John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,

where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,

while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil

made from genuine aromatic nard

and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;

the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,

and the one who would betray him, said,

“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages

and given to the poor?”

He said this not because he cared about the poor

but because he was a thief and held the money bag

and used to steal the contributions.

So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.

Let her keep this for the day of my burial.

You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,

not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,

whom he had raised from the dead.

And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,

because many of the Jews were turning away

and believing in Jesus because of him.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, you have called me and chosen me out of love. I did nothing to deserve this vocation and election. Strengthen me to respond generously to your call, to resist the temptations of this world, and to be your humble servant.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Four Servant Songs During Holy Week: During Holy Week, we read the four Servant Songs of Isaiah. The first song, which we read today, introduces us to the Servant of the Lord, who is chosen and called by the Lord God to establish justice upon the earth. The second song, which we will read tomorrow, tells of the Servant being chosen from the womb to restore not just the twelve tribes of Israel but to bring God’s salvation to all nations. The third details how this restoration will come about through the Servant's suffering. The fourth, proclaimed on Good Friday, reveals how the Servant’s affliction and suffering, offered for sin, leads to life and the justification of many.

2. The Servant Pleases God: Today’s song first reveals that the Servant, who is chosen by God and does what is pleasing to God, will be anointed by the Spirit. This anointing of the Servant occurred on the day of Jesus’ Baptism when John the Baptist saw the Spirit descend in the form of a dove and rest on Jesus. The voice of the Father is heard: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). In the Gospel today, Jesus is anointed by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The anointing of the Spirit prepared Jesus both for his public ministry of teaching, healing the blind and the lame, casting out demons, working miracles, and for his passion; the anointing of Mary is an immediate preparation for Jesus' passion and death as the Suffering Servant. Jesus tells her to keep the rest of the oil for the day of his burial.

3. The Servant’s Mission: The first reading continues and, in it, God declares that his Servant will succeed in his mission to establish justice on the earth. He will not falter or be discouraged, for the Lord is his light and salvation, for the Lord sustains him. Jesus invites us to pray without ceasing for the establishment of justice: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The prayer for the kingdom is a prayer that God reign over all nations. In his mission, Jesus will not seek notoriety for his accomplishments: he will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. Nor will Jesus promote violence toward the oppressed: a bruised reed he will not break. The Servant will bless and forgive, not destroy and condemn. God, Isaiah proclaims, is the Creator of heaven and earth. God is the creator of all men and all living beings. He is the one who is able to empower his Servant for his mission of restoring justice to the world, an original justice that was lost through the sin of Adam. The restoration of justice entails a new doctrine, a teaching that will reach to the coastland, to the ends of the earth. The Suffering Servant will be a light for all nations, open the eyes of the blind, and free those who live in darkness. But, above all, the Servant will himself be set as a covenant for the people. This Servant is Jesus, who, as our merciful and faithful high priest, will establish the new and everlasting covenant and promulgate the new law of charity.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, teach me everything I need to be a servant like you. You humbled yourself through your Incarnation, birth, and hidden life. Your public ministry was one of humble service. Your death on the Cross was the supreme example of humble obedience. Even now, reigning in heaven, you are the Servant King, who intercedes for his people.

Living the Word of God: When we make an act of faith, it is also an act of humility. In it, we recognize who we are before God, how everything we are depends on him, how he has saved us, and how he sanctifies us as we journey toward him. How can I incorporate this humility into my daily prayer?