For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, today's reading holds so much that I had a million things running through my mind but first there is the continuation of the story of Martha who needed an attitude adjustment. Martha had a knack for cleaning, cooking and serving in a such a way that she was actually missing the real serving and that was a Jesus' feet where Mary happened to be! Jesus was in the house and Martha was essentially missing it because she was busy doing her impressive cleaning while company was there. Then there was the attitude adjustment that Judas needed. Being that he held the money bag (treasurer) for the group, he appeared to be more concerned about what could be done with the oil rather than what is was presently being used for. He was really more concerned about how he could skim a little off the top for himself than he was concerned for the poor.
Thank You for this wonderful attitude awareness that shows me where I was, where I am now and where I need to be. While it is easy to point fingers at others for their attitude and behavior, it is most important to be mindful of my own and take ownership when I have fallen off the enlightenment truck. I admit, it is not easy to go an entire day without complaining or whining about something, even so, I need to take note of what motivates me in that moment. Is it like Martha to be impressive or is it like Judas out of jealousy? Or is it something else? Thank You!
Through Jesus Christ's Most Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face, I thank You for this awareness. Amen~
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John
John 12:1-11
1 Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2 They gave a dinner for Him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with Him.
3 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.
4 Then Judas the Iscariot, one (of) his disciples, and the one who would betray Him, said,
5 "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?"
6 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.
7 So Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
9 (The) large crowd of the Jews found out that He was there and came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
11 because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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