Read St. Mark 14:3–11
1. The supper in Simon’s house was remarkable for St. Mary Magdalene’s act of devotion to our Divine Lord. She brought an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard, and poured it on His head as He sat at table. Her gift was very pleasing to Our Lord for three reasons: (a) she gave of her best; (b) she gave out of pure love; (c) she gave in presence of the assembled guests, fearlessly and knowing that men would ridicule and blame her. Are the gifts I give to God marked by generosity, supernatural love, absence of all human respect?
2. Some of those present, instigated by Judas, began to criticize what they regarded as waste. They had indignation within themselves and showed it in words. They veiled their grumbling under show of charity to the poor. This was very displeasing to Jesus. He hates the spirit that finds fault and criticizes and condemns, and all the more when it hides itself under the cloak of virtue. Yet is not this spirit strong in me?
3. Notice the gratitude of Jesus. A little box of ointment poured on His head earns for the donor a commemoration of her gift wherever the Gospel shall be preached in the whole world. And not only this: it obtains for her also many graces on earth and great glory in heaven. There is no one who is so grateful as Jesus Christ; no one who will reward with such divine generosity everything done from love to Him. Nothing will be forgotten, nothing is too small to be noticed and richly recompensed by Him.
Source: Clarke, R. F. (1889). The Sacred Passion of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations for Every Day in Lent (p. 9). Benziger Brothers.
1. The supper in Simon’s house was remarkable for St. Mary Magdalene’s act of devotion to our Divine Lord. She brought an alabaster box of ointment of precious spikenard, and poured it on His head as He sat at table. Her gift was very pleasing to Our Lord for three reasons: (a) she gave of her best; (b) she gave out of pure love; (c) she gave in presence of the assembled guests, fearlessly and knowing that men would ridicule and blame her. Are the gifts I give to God marked by generosity, supernatural love, absence of all human respect?
2. Some of those present, instigated by Judas, began to criticize what they regarded as waste. They had indignation within themselves and showed it in words. They veiled their grumbling under show of charity to the poor. This was very displeasing to Jesus. He hates the spirit that finds fault and criticizes and condemns, and all the more when it hides itself under the cloak of virtue. Yet is not this spirit strong in me?
3. Notice the gratitude of Jesus. A little box of ointment poured on His head earns for the donor a commemoration of her gift wherever the Gospel shall be preached in the whole world. And not only this: it obtains for her also many graces on earth and great glory in heaven. There is no one who is so grateful as Jesus Christ; no one who will reward with such divine generosity everything done from love to Him. Nothing will be forgotten, nothing is too small to be noticed and richly recompensed by Him.
Source: Clarke, R. F. (1889). The Sacred Passion of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations for Every Day in Lent (p. 9). Benziger Brothers.
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