Mary anoints the feet of Jesus

Yesterday we began Holy Week with the Palm Sunday re-enactment of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The words from the gospel at the blessing of the palms that keep ringing in my ears are those that Jesus said to the two disciples whom he sent to untie the colt. ''If anyone asks you why you are doing this, just say, 'The Lord needs it.'' I can hear Jesus saying to each of us during this special week, ''I need you to accompany me.'' He asked Peter, James and John to be with him as he prayed in the garden of Olives and we can hear the disappointment in his voice when he found them sleeping, ''Can you not keep awake for one hour?'' Then, Judas, one of the chosen disciples, betrayed him. The others deserted him and fled and finally Peter denied that he knew him. On Friday, we will hear the chief priests and those in league with them shouting, ''Crucify Him.'' ''No one has greater love than this than to lay down one's life for one's friends,'' (John15:13). But at the very moment when Jesus gave his life for us, he felt alone and abandoned. In today's gospel (John 12:1-11), we see how Mary made an extravagant gesture, anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume. It was her response to all the love that Jesus had shown her. The ceremonies of Holy Week give us an opportunity to make our response to all the love that Jesus has shown to us. May I not fail you, Lord.