I WILL GIVE JESUS A PRECIOUS GIFT FOR HIS MISSION

⏰Monday of the Holy Week (26 March 2018)

📕Isa 42:1-7; Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14 (R.v.1a); John 12:1-11

My dear, we are already in the part of Lenten Season that is its summit, a time that summarizes the whole events of our Christian life. It is called the Holy Week.

In this Holy Week, we shall be commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus. By now, Jesus is sorrowful unto death (cf. John 12:27) and he needs us beside him. His friends at Bethany understood this. So they invited him to a dinner, probably to distract him from his sorrowful moments and keep him happy.

But Mary has more to give. Probably, she understood better what Jesus needed. His body was about to be buried and so needed to be prepared. She gave a very costly ointment for this (John 12:3).

As we commemorate the burial of Jesus in this Holy Week, what shall we present to him to prepare his body for burial?

I think the first Servant Songs in Isa 42:1-7 gives us a clue on what Jesus might need from us. Since his death and burial would mean life to those he came to redeem (see John 12:24), we can prepare his body for burial by giving meaningful life to those around us.

Hence, since he has come to bring justice to the nations (cf. Isa 42:1; Luke 4:18), we must resolve to fight injustice anywhere, not minding what it might cost us.

We must assist him in giving sight to the blind and providing light to those in darkness (Isa 42:7; Luke 4:18). Look around you and see if there is anyone around who has fallen away from God; pray for him and talk to him about coming to share the supreme love of God in this Holy Season.

Finally, Jesus wants our company at this period of suffering. Be with him by being part of all the events of this Holy Week. But more than this, try to see him in the face of those who suffer. Remember, whatsoever we do to the least of his brother, that is our neighbours, that we do unto him (cf. Matt 25:31-45).

May God give us the grace not to overlook any help we can render to help in his mission of bringing abundant life (John 10:10) to all. Amen.

Have a grace-filled Holy Week. Peace be with you.