First Reading (Is 42,1-7)
Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
“Behold my servant—I receive him; behold my chosen one — my soul delights in him; I have put my spirit upon him, he will bring judgment on the nations. He does not cry out or raise his voice, nor does he make himself heard in the streets.
He does not break a bruised reed or quench a smoking wick; but he will provide judgment to obtain the truth. He will not weaken or be discouraged until he establishes justice in the earth; distant countries await teachings from him.”
This says the Lord God, who created the sky and stretched it out, established the earth and everything that grows from it, who gives breath to its inhabitants and the breath of life to those who move in it: “I, the Lord, have called you to justice and took you by the hand; I formed you and appointed you as the center of the covenant of the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to lead captives out of prison, to free from prison those who live in darkness.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 12:1-11)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom he had raised from the dead. There they offered Jesus dinner; Marta served and Lázaro was one of those at the table with him. Mary, drinking almost half a liter of pure and very expensive spikenard perfume, anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The entire house was filled with the perfume of the balm.
Then Judas Iscariot, one of her disciples, the one who was to hand him over, said: “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred pieces of silver to give to the poor?” Judas spoke this way, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he took care of the common purse and stole what was deposited in it.
But Jesus said: “Let her alone; she did this in view of the day of my burial. Poor people, you will always have them with you, while you will not always have me.”
Many Jews, having heard that Jesus was in Bethany, went there, not only for Jesus’ sake, but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Then, the high priests decided to kill Lazarus too, because because of him, many left the Jews and believed in Jesus.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, as we gather to meditate on God’s word, we bring with us the daily experiences that shape our lives. We carry with us the joys and the sadness, the victories and the defeats, the hopes and the challenges. In these experiences, we often ask ourselves: where is God? Where do we find strength and direction amidst life’s tribulations?
The Word of God that is proclaimed to us today answers these fundamental questions. In the first reading, from the book of the prophet Isaiah, we find an inspiring description of the Servant of the Lord. The prophet tells us that this servant will be a light to the nations, bringing justice and peace to the world. He will not raise His voice or crush the weak, but He will be compassionate and kind. He will not lose heart until he has established righteousness in the land. How wonderful is this servant, whom God sends to rescue and guide us!
This description of the Servant of the Lord reminds us of someone very special we meet in the Gospel of John, the passage we hear today. It is the story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, three dear friends of Jesus. Jesus arrives in Bethany and is welcomed into their home. Mary, in a gesture of love and gratitude, anoints Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. The perfume fills the room with its aroma and Maria is praised for her generosity.
But not everyone is satisfied with this act of love. Judas Iscariot, driven by greed, questions the waste of the perfume, suggesting that it could have been sold to help the poor. Jesus, however, defends Mary and says, “Leave her alone. She saved this for the day of my burial.” Jesus recognizes Mary’s act as a prophetic gesture, pointing to his own imminent death and burial.
In this story, we find an important lesson about love and devotion to God. Mary offers her best to Jesus, she does not skimp on what is most valuable to her. She doesn’t care about other people’s opinions, not even the appearance of waste. Her love leads her to act with generosity and sacrifice, without expecting anything in return.
Dear brothers and sisters, this story challenges us to reflect on the way we love and serve God. How many times do we hold back, offering only the minimum? How often do we worry about what others will think or what we might get in return? Jesus calls us to offer Him our best, to love Him with all our heart, without reservations.
But how can we do this in our everyday lives? How can we love God with generosity and sacrifice? Allow me to share a story with you.
There once was a man who lived in a small village. He had a modest home, but always found space for those in need. He opened the doors of his home to the poor and hungry, sharing his food and clothes. He didn’t have much, but he happily offered what he had.
One day, a visitor asked the man, “Why do you do this? Why do you care so much about others?” The man smiled and replied, “When I was young, I was lost and hopeless. It was then that someone reached out to me and showed me God’s love. Now, I do the same for others.”
Dear brothers and sisters, this story reminds us that our love and service for God is manifested in our actions toward others. We can offer our time, our attention and our resources to help those in need. We can be a beacon of hope to the lost and despairing, showing them God’s love through our actions.
When we give ourselves completely to God, we become instruments of his love in the world. Just like the Servant of the Lord described by Isaiah, we are called to be a light to the nations, to bring justice and peace where there is inequality and conflict.
Dear brothers and sisters, we cannot let fear or indifference stop us from taking action. Today’s message challenges us to step out of our comfort zone and embrace God’s call to be agents of change in our world.
To illustrate this point, allow me to share another story with you. One day, a man was walking along the beach when he saw a crowd of starfish on the sand. He realized that if they stayed there, they would die when the sun got too hot. So the man began to pick up one starfish at a time and throw them back into the sea.
Another man, who was watching the scene, mocked him and said, “Why are you doing this? There are so many starfish here, you won’t make any difference.” The man picked up another starfish, threw it back into the sea and replied: “I’ll make a difference to this one.”
Dear brothers and sisters, just like the man in the story, we can make a difference in the life of one person at a time. We can be instruments of love and compassion in a world that often seems indifferent and cold. We don’t need to solve all the world’s problems, but we can bring hope and relief to those within our reach.
As we apply these lessons to our daily lives, we must remember that we are not alone. God is with us, guiding and strengthening us every step of the way. When we surrender to Him, He empowers us to do things beyond what we can imagine. He gives us the courage to face challenges and the grace to overcome difficulties.
As we conclude this homily, I would encourage you to reflect on how the lessons from these biblical passages apply to your lives. Ask yourself: How can I love God with generosity and sacrifice? How can I be an instrument of his love in the world? What practical action can I take today to make the world a better place?
Dear brothers and sisters, remember that each of you is loved and called by God. You have a unique purpose in this world and you can make a significant difference. Give yourselves to Him, offer Him your best and see how He transforms your lives and the lives of those around you.
May God’s grace be with you, strengthening and guiding you every step of the way. May God’s love be manifested in your words and actions, illuminating the world around you. And may God’s hope fill your hearts, empowering you to be agents of change and builders of peace.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
