Reflection: Mary of Bethany anoints the Feet of Jesus

Love comes down...

Mary of Bethany was a devoted disciple and friend of Jesus. She anointed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wiped them with her hair. There is no indication of why Mary did this act. It may have been her gratitude for what Jesus had done for her brother Lazarus. In John's Gospel, the focus on her anointing Jesus' feet points to Mary's great humility. As she realized more of how Jesus was a friend to her and her brother and sister, her faith deepened and she recognized her unworthiness.

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. John 12:1-3

The humility of Mary's act is a preparation for when Jesus washed His disciples' feet. This was also a prefiguration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus when the three women went to the tomb to anoint the Body of Jesus: Mary Magdalen, Mary, the mother of James and Salome.

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.'" John 12:4-11  

Let's ponder two souls in this scene: Mary and Judas. 

Judas was filled with self-love which kept him from looking at the love Jesus was offering. He did not care about others and he actually stole from the needy.  

Mary, on the other hand, poured out herself, and the costly oil, an extravagant gesture of love, the love she had for Jesus. She did not count the cost but stayed at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him, staying near Him and loving Him. May we be more like Mary.

Meditation:

Imagine Martha and Mary invited you to their home to have dinner with Jesus. Their hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the Lord who had raised their brother Lazarus from the dead. Your heart is filled with gratitude too because you have been following Jesus and you desire to be near Him. You watch Martha serving so lovingly. Mary is humbly sitting at His feet as she cracks open the liter of costly aromatic oil. The room is suddenly filled with the fragrant aroma of the oil. Mary lovingly washes the feet of Jesus and dries them with her hair. 

You are so moved you sit beside Mary and help her wash His feet. As you help her, you look up at Jesus. His Love comes down upon you, a love so great. Gaze into His eyes and speak to Him. Tell Him everything that is in your heart: your joys, sorrows, sufferings, worries, fears, troubles. Tell Him everything. Jesus places His hand on your head and Love comes down upon you. Love comes down. Then you hear Jesus speak to you, "You are my beloved child."

Mary of Bethany, pray for us and all those for whom we pray. Teach us to humbly sit at the Feet of Jesus as you did and to entrust our lives to Him.