Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the 5th Sunday of Lent: Year C
“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (John 12: 5)
This reading from John about Mary is like the one in Luke about Mary. Judas’s intention is explained to us by the evangelist. The evangelist informs us that Judas is not really concerned about the poor. Perhaps Judas took his eyes off of Jesus when he looked at Mary. The Evangelist writes that Judas kept the common purse and would steal from it. How the Evangelist knew this opens up another discussion. The evangelist may have even taken his eyes off Jesus for a moment. It is easy to pick on Judas because in all of the Gospel stories Judas is identified as the traitor who sold out Jesus.
But in this particular setting, in the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, we have Judas who took his eyes off Jesus for a moment to look upon Mary and what she was doing for Jesus. And when he did this he had nothing good to say about her. He was critical of her use of money. Judas failed to look at Mary through the heart and eyes of Jesus.
This Gospel story is like the ending of chapter 10 of Luke’s Gospel account where Martha takes her eyes off Jesus and looks at her sister Mary and becomes angry because Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and not helping with the preparations for serving Jesus and the guests that are with him. She says to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40) Of course Jesus tells her that Mary is making the best use of her time.
Both of these reflections took place in the same house in Bethany. They are witnessed from two different perspectives. But both are examples of what happens when we look upon another person without seeing them through the eyes and heart of Jesus. The heart and eyes of Jesus softens our hard edges and brings our compassion to the forefront of our awareness. We must always recognize Jesus in the room and see the others in the room through Jesus. That’s why we have Jesus; so that we might love one another better.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (BCP p. 219)
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 