NOTES for Ин 12:1-11
Let us picture the little town of Bethany, where Jesus and His disciples have gathered for another supper. Lazarus, whom Jesus had recently raised, is there too, as are his sisters Martha and Mary and perhaps some other close friends. Bethany still remembers the sisters’ grief, the disciples’ bewilderment, the tears of Jesus, and the astonishing miracle of resurrection. And now many who probably took part in and witnessed that miracle have gathered at one table. As always, there is conversation: Jesus tells them something or, on the contrary, listens to those close to Him, supporting them with a glance, a smile, or a word. The meal has already begun. Then one of the sisters performs an act that will be heard about by every person who listens to the preaching of the Gospel (see Mt 26:13). The house fills with the fragrance of the myrrh and of the love offered to Jesus. Everyone is silent. Jesus Himself is silent, and so are all those present, not knowing how to respond—or perhaps realizing that no response clothed in words is needed. Only the emptiness in Judas’s heart, unfilled by love, cries out. It can be called anything—betrayal, hypocrisy, calculation, greed, treating one’s own opinion as the most important, and so on. Moreover, the list may include qualities that are quite necessary and useful to people. But one thing is clear: this is “non-love.” Love can be displaced or replaced; one can act correctly and righteously, as the Pharisees did, for example, yet without love. Then it has no value, because it sweeps away everything in its path. During the coming Holy Week, before doing anything, let us try to invite Love—and therefore Christ—into our hearts. For where Love is, there God is also.