Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 14, 2025

Monday of Holy Week

Scripture Text: John 12:1-11

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. 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."

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today highlights the different relationships with Jesus and their sources. Whereas Lazarus, Martha and Mary loved Him and welcomed Him as Messiah, Judas used his relationship with Jesus for personal, material gain and the religious leaders saw Him as a threat to their power.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

As Holy Week unfolds, who is Jesus to me? What is my reason for being a Christian, a follower, a disciple?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, as we observe this holy week and recall the events of our redemption at table, at Calvary, and at the tomb, we pray that our understanding of your love for us will increase as we remember and celebrate. Send your Spirit to stir within us and tenderize our minds and hearts and souls so that we might more fully comprehend the depth and breadth of your love for us expressed most perfectly in the gift of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that as we make this journey from the home of Lazarus in Bethany, to the Last Supper, to Calvary and to the tomb, we will allow the love of your Son to illuminate our lives. May the moments of this holy week draw us closer to You, closer to being the children You created us to be, and closer to being the disciples Jesus calls us to be. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen