Palm Sunday (Mk. 14:1-15:47) “The Oil of Gladness”
Palm Sunday (Mk. 14:1-15:47) “The Oil of Gladness”
Every Passion Sunday we read the story of Jesus’ final days from one of the Gospels. How do we determine when the story of the Passion starts? The church seems to want us to reflect on different aspects of Jesus’ final hours. The narrative begins at a different point in each year’s Passion Sunday readings. Each Gospel strikes a slightly different chord.
Mark’s Passion begins in its own unique way. His Passion narrative is rather curious in that it begins with an unnamed woman who comes into the house of Simon the Pharisee. She anoints Jesus with oil.
How did she happen to come into the house? Houses were not laid out like they are today. Usually, the front door, off the street, opened onto a courtyard. The door was more of a gate than a door. When a celebration was happening people would gather at the gate, standing in the street to watch the invited guests dining inside. Jesus was a rather famous personality, so people came to see this miracle worker, this preacher from Galilee. The woman described had the audacity to walk into the dinner. She came up behind Jesus who was lying on his side eating as all people did at such banquets.
She had a jar of nard which was an oil that came from India. The oil was worth 300 denarii. A denarius was one day’s wage so the oil in the flask represented a year’s salary. She broke the jar so there was no way any of the oil could be saved. She then poured it on our Lord. She obviously loved the Lord. The men gathered were critical of her. Couldn’t this money feed the poor? We would think that this argument would have resonated with Jesus, but he says she has done a lovely thing.
In Greek there are two words for good. One word is ag a thos which is a morally good thing. The other word is ka los which denotes something that isn’t only morally good but something that is captivating and lovely. The woman had demonstrated through her anointing the extravagance of love.
Someone once said that the greatest demonstration of love in history was our Lord’s passion and death. He gave his life away to show us how we can give ourselves away. Too often we as Christians just are satisfied with doing what were supposed to. We don’t go beyond what were supposed to do to do the heroic act. We often talk ourselves out of doing what no one would expect. When we do an extra generous feat people remember it. And we do as well. And it feels right.
Jesus was getting ready when he was at Simon’s house to do fulfill his mission. His mission in this world was to die in the service of humanity. He had shown his disciples how to live virtuously. Now he would show them how to die with dignity.
How might we keep Holy Week well. We might pray fervently. We can attend the liturgies of the church. But we might also ponder the lovely things that we might do. Is there an apology that we might make? Is there a dying friend who we might reassure? Is there someone who is struggling with failure that we might lift up? We have been anointed so that we might be agents of Jesus Christ.
When someone was buried in the ancient world friends would gather to anoint the dead body before placing it in the tomb. After the anointing the flask would be broken. The broken vessel would be placed in the tomb never to be filled again. The women went to the tomb on Easter morning to anoint the Body of Jesus with oil, but they never completed the task. Because Jesus wasn’t dead. He was alive. The flask remained full for each of us to use. May we be aware he lives in us. May we then go out to anoint the world with an oil of gladness in the name of Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I ever done a charitable act that was unexpected? What did that feel like?
2. Has anyone ever gone the extra mile for me? Who was it and when?
Dear Parishioners,
Happy Easter! This past week we have celebrated the high holy days of the church year. This liturgy is a moving experience in so many ways. Each year there is new meaning and life. The most impressive part of the celebration is the reception of new Catholics into the church community. This year we have thirteen people who are receiving Easter sacraments.
The stories of all these individuals are different. As I sit and listen to them, I realize that the Holy Spirit works in varied ways. When I hear the stories of conversion, I am part of a privileged conversation. The main truth that resonates repeatedly is that God is always reaching out to each person wanting to begin a friendship. The good news is that the people who receive the sacraments of initiation have responded.
But the story of faith does not end with the reception of the sacraments of initiation. No, it goes on. Each year every Catholic Christian renews their Baptismal promises on the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. Hopefully, this is a recognition of how Jesus continues to impact our lives.
I once again thank all the liturgical ministers who helped make the Easter Triduum so meaningful. This is truly an act of love that touches many lives.
May Our Lady pray for us as we contemplate the resurrection of her son,
Fr. Mark