Mary Magdalene anointing the feet of Christ is depicted in a stained-glass window at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Greenlawn, N.Y. (OSV News photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
Source & Summit: Monday of Holy Week
(The faithful) taking part in the Eucharistic sacrifice, which is the source and summit of the whole Christian life, offer the Divine Victim to God, and themselves along with it.
-The Second Vatican Council fathers in Lumen Gentium, #11
Source & Summit is a feature of The Western Kentucky Catholic online, celebrating the National Eucharistic Revival: Year of Parish Revival. Intended to help Catholics of our parishes to probe the riches of our liturgical year and celebrate the liturgy well, the column will always start with the Bible readings for the Mass of the Day to help us reflect on, and help to “unpack” and expand our experiences at liturgy into the domestic church (the home) and the workplace.
Sunday reflections will be based on the Lord’s Day, the Liturgy, the Eucharist, and, occasionally, community.
Monday, March 25, 2024:
Monday of Holy Week
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032524.cfm
Isaiah 42:1—7
Psalm 27:1—3, 13—14
John 12:1—11
For this Monday of Holy Week, the Gospel of John gives us the beautiful story of Mary, the sister of Martha, anointing the feet of Jesus with costly perfumed oil followed by drying Jesus’ feet with her hair. Mary was a close friend and believer in Jesus. She knew there was something extraordinary about Jesus, very extraordinary in fact, because she had witnessed Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. In Jesus, Mary could see that he was the resurrection and the life. He would pour himself out, give everything he had and was, for the salvation of the world. Jesus truly loved others and was concerned for their well-being in this life, and the life to come. After witnessing such great acts of love modelled by Jesus, Mary in turn wishes to show her deep love for Jesus. She anoints the feet of Jesus with very expensive perfumed oil and dries them with her hair. Scripture tells us the room was filled with the beautiful fragrance of the oil. Jesus loved all people, and Mary loves Jesus. When we deeply, truly love someone, we go to great lengths to express that love as best we can. Love unites people together. Love unites humanity with God once for all when Jesus dies and is raised from the dead. No greater love is there than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. Jesus will prove this later this week when he goes to the Cross. During this Holy Week, how can you show your love for Jesus?
-Fr. Brandon Williams
Fr. Brandon is the Pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Grayson Springs, St. Anthony Parish in Peonia and St. Benedict in Wax, as well as Co-Coordinator of the Office of Worship.
To learn more about the Diocese of Owensboro’s celebration of the National Eucharistic Revival, visit https://owensborodiocese.org/eucharistic-revival/.
