Holy Monday

Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, “Why this waste? It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor.”

Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, “Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me. In pour- ing this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.”

—Matthew 26:6–13

In this passage, Jesus allows an unnamed woman to anoint him with oil, which was traditionally done for priests, prophets, and kings, as well as the dead before burial. Jesus accepts this anointing because he is our priest, prophet, and king, who gave up his life to save us.

The Chrism Mass is celebrated in Catholic cathedrals throughout the world this week. During that celebration the holy oils used in Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick are blessed. Through these and all sacraments we participate in the identity and ministry of Jesus as priest, prophet, and king

Today, pray for all who lead and minister to others in the name of Christ, that they may find joy and strength to persevere in the face of challenges.

 This reflection from Messages of Trust for Lent, originally published by Ave Maria Press, was reprinted with permission of the authors, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. For more parish resources, visit https://www.rebuiltparish.com/.

Responsorial psalms are excerpted from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be reproduced by any means without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Other scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC, and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.