Genuine Service
April 10. 2017
by Andrew Domingo
by Andrew Domingo
Today’s gospel is centered on two of Jesus’ disciples:
Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, and Judas Iscariot, the one who will betray him.
Mary showed us the virtue of humility in serving the Lord.
She anointed the feet of Jesus, not just with any ordinary oil, but one that is costly and perfumed. And she did not stop from that. She also dried his feet with her hair.
This act of Mary is an act of genuine love and service to Jesus.
The oil which she used to anoint Jesus’ feet must’ve been the most precious thing she had in her possession. But she was willing to give it all out of her love for Jesus.
On the other hand, Jesus’ disciple, Judas Iscariot, was criticizing Mary for using a costly oil which he said could’ve been sold and used for charitable works. However it was mentioned in the reading that this wasn’t his true motive and intention. He did not really care for the poor. Being the “treasurer” of the group, he was in charge of their money bag which he would at times steal from the contributions being given.
Today, we are being reminded of what it means to serve genuinely.
The Lord sees clearly what is truly inside of our hearts –
the purity and the impurity of it.
Many of us go out of our ways to help another. But who is it that are we really trying to help? For whom is our actions directed? Are we like Mary who’s willing to give everything she has for Jesus or are we like Judas whose concern and generosity is misguided with impurity?
Let us examine the ways we serve the Lord and one another.
Let us look deep into our hearts: WHO AM I REALLY SERVING?
May we be like Mary of Bethany who for her genuine love and humility, gave it all for Jesus.
THAT IN ALL THINGS, GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED!
Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus, and Judas Iscariot, the one who will betray him.
Mary showed us the virtue of humility in serving the Lord.
She anointed the feet of Jesus, not just with any ordinary oil, but one that is costly and perfumed. And she did not stop from that. She also dried his feet with her hair.
This act of Mary is an act of genuine love and service to Jesus.
The oil which she used to anoint Jesus’ feet must’ve been the most precious thing she had in her possession. But she was willing to give it all out of her love for Jesus.
On the other hand, Jesus’ disciple, Judas Iscariot, was criticizing Mary for using a costly oil which he said could’ve been sold and used for charitable works. However it was mentioned in the reading that this wasn’t his true motive and intention. He did not really care for the poor. Being the “treasurer” of the group, he was in charge of their money bag which he would at times steal from the contributions being given.
Today, we are being reminded of what it means to serve genuinely.
The Lord sees clearly what is truly inside of our hearts –
the purity and the impurity of it.
Many of us go out of our ways to help another. But who is it that are we really trying to help? For whom is our actions directed? Are we like Mary who’s willing to give everything she has for Jesus or are we like Judas whose concern and generosity is misguided with impurity?
Let us examine the ways we serve the Lord and one another.
Let us look deep into our hearts: WHO AM I REALLY SERVING?
May we be like Mary of Bethany who for her genuine love and humility, gave it all for Jesus.
THAT IN ALL THINGS, GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED!