Gospel in Art: Monday of Holy Week: Mary anointed the feet of Jesus

Mary Anoints Jesus' Feet, German, 16C © Christie's. 11/04/2013

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 25 March 2024
John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment. Then Judas Iscariot - one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him - said, 'Why wasn't this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?' He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions. So Jesus said, 'Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.'

Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.

Reflection on the painting

Our painting by an unidentified 16th century artist, depicts Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. In the background we see the start of today's Gospel reading, depicting the raising of Lazarus. The dining table features a fish and loaves. Jesus is seen in a blessing pose, with directly above him, on a shelf, a copy of the Bible.

We are at the beginning of Holy Week during which we reflect on the final days of Jesus. Most of the people Jesus encountered during this week were hostile to him. Yet, according to this morning's gospel reading, six days before the feast of Passover during which Jesus was crucified, he experienced great kindness. Not only is he the guest at the table of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, the family that he loves, but one member of them, Mary, went to great expense to render him a very thoughtful, tender service. She anointed his feet with very expensive ointment and dried them with her hair. A little later in the same gospel of John, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, anticipates that servant gesture of Jesus himself.

Mary gives herself to Jesus in a way that corresponds to how Jesus would give himself to his disciples, and to all of us. We are there to serve one another. Furthermore, Jesus interprets Mary's action as preparing him for his death and burial. He thus tells Mary 'she had to keep some scent for the day of my burial'.

We too can anoint people by our attentive and caring presence at a time when things are stacked against them. The Jesus of Holy Week, the suffering Son of Man, comes to us in many guises, and it is Mary, rather than Judas, who shows us how to respond to his presence.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-12-1-11-2024/
Competition: The Laudamus Award 2024 for Sacred Art - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49310