Yesterday, Jesus heard sweet acclamations of "Hosanna." Today He hears happy sounds of a meal shared with people who love Him dearly. In a few days, Jesus will hear the screams and curses of a raging mob shouting, "Crucify Him!" (Mt 27:22) Today Jesus feels the tender loving touch of smooth ointment and soft hair on His feet. In a few days, He will feel the painful pierce of metal nails in His feet.
So many people would be abusing Jesus' body a few short days after He ate with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Mary anointed Jesus' feet, which would soon be pierced with nails, and dried His feet with her hair. She did Jesus a kindness (Mk 14:6). She did what she could to love and comfort Jesus (Mk 14:8). Her loving acts toward Jesus filled the house. In a few days, Jesus will smell the smoke of a charcoal fire (Jn 18:19). His chosen leader and friend, Simon Peter, will deny that he even knows Jesus while standing by this fire.
This is the week of decision. Now is the acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation! (2 Cor 6:2) What is Jesus feeling, smelling, seeing from your life? Are you crucifying Him again (Heb 6:6) and adding to His pain? Or are you doing Him a kindness?
Repent deeply of causing Jesus any pain. Adore His Eucharistic body and receive Him in Holy Communion daily or as often as possible. Treat the members of His body, "the small and the great" (Rv 19:5), and the least of our brethren, with esteem (1 Pt 2:17). Do the body of Jesus a kindness (Mk 14:6).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, make me a "sweet-smelling oblation to" You (Lv 2:9). |
| PROMISE: | "The Lord is my Light and My Salvation." –Ps 27:1 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, Jesus, the Chosen, Beloved One (Jn 1:34; Lk 3:22). "You are the Son of God" (Jn 1:49). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College