Daily Gospel Reflection for April 10, 2017

Today's Gospel: John 12:1-11

Yesterday, on Palm Sunday, we joined the crowd greeting Jesus with palm branches. Now it is Monday of Holy Week, and we know the dreadful events that loom on the horizon. In these last days before Jesus gives his life for us, we can consider what kind of disciples we are. This Gospel presents Martha, who as usual is busy serving others as only she can. Mary, too, is doing what she does best: waiting on the Lord in quiet prayer and contemplation, anointing his feet with oil. Their brother Lazarus is simply reclining at table with Jesus, happy to have returned from the realms of the dead. During this week, which of these three disciples will I be most like? Is God calling me to more active service, or to anoint the Lord’s feet, or to simply be with Jesus during His sufferings?

Perhaps I was like Martha last year, but this year I may wish to be like Lazarus. When someone is suffering, it can be very hard to simply stay by that person’s side. Yet often that is what they most need. If a person in hospice care is near the point of death, holding their hand and whispering a prayer may be all they need. To be present to others is so important in a world where people are often abandoned. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says that we will not always have Him in person, yet in another place He also said that whatever we do to others, we do to Him. Live this Holy Week with Jesus. Then, when the time comes, you will be able to live with others the Holy Weeks that they may endure.

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Ponder:

This year how do I want to live Holy Week with Jesus?

Pray:

Jesus, thank you for giving your life for us. Help me to love you with my whole heart and soul.

Sr. Marianne Lorraine Trouvé is a Daughter of Saint Paul with wide experience in editing and writing. She is the author of Angels: Help from on High; Mary: Help in Hard Times; and books on saints for children. Her blog, Thomas for Today focuses on Marian topics and themes from St. Thomas Aquinas.