25 November 2011: The supper at Bethany

The conduct of Mary Magdalene, Judas and the Jews
Mary had previously anointed the feet of Jesus, in the house of Simon at Bethany. This time, eight days before the Passion, Lazarus was present.
“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (Jn 12:3)
This holy woman lost no opportunity of showing her love and gratitude to Jesus. She had formerly delighted in adorning her hair, and in rich perfumes. Now she sacrifices both in his service.
In imitation of this great penitent let us take every opportunity to show our love and generosity towards our Lord. Let us offer in particular what costs us most to give up, our judgment and liberty.
Let us be “the good odor of Christ” (2 Cor 2:15) diffusing it by our example of regularity, anointing our Lord’s feet by cherishing especially the suffering members of his mystical body.
Judas, far from favoring the holy prodigality of Mary Magdalene, vented his vexation in complaints under the guise of charity. “‘Why was this perfume not sold for three-hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put therein.” (Jn 12:5-6)
We are justly indignant at the behavior of Judas, who has become a thief and hypocrite though one of the twelve. While we admire the unruffled sweetness of Jesus, who, though he knew the hearts of all men, and that of Judas in particular, abstained from a word of reproach, as if, by sparing his reputation before men, he still hoped to win the traitor back.
He merely blamed him indirectly while praising Mary Magdalene. “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you ... Truly, I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.” (Mk 14:6-9)
The inhabitants of Jerusalem may fall in four classes:
1) Those having been converted by the resurrection of Lazarus, had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and flocked to Bethany to pay him homage;
2) those who had been drawn there by curiosity;
3) the majority, who remained at home, wholy indifferent about the miracle; and
4) the bitter enemies of Jesus, the chief priests, who “planned to kill Lazarus also, because on account of him, many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus” (Jn 12:10).
The triumphs of the Church are always followed by conversion of the well-disposed, and consolation of the faithful. An increase of hatred in the declared enemies of Christ; and indifference of the greatest number entirely absorbed in pleasure and mere material interests. Let us derive an increase of zeal for the glory of our Lord and conversion of sinners.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp735-7

Personal prayer
Prayer is indispensable for us; if we neglect conversing with God, our spiritual life slowly shrivels up. If you abandon prayer you may at first live on spiritual reserves, and after that, by cheating. (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 445)
On the other hand, prayer unites us to God, who tells us, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Let us keep on praying and not lose heart (cf Lk 18:1).
We are to speak with him and draw close to him in all settings of our life: “Without prayer, how difficult it is to accompany him!” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 89)
Jesus teaches us with the example of his life what our attitude is to be: “a filial dialogue with God” (St Theresa of Avila, “Life”, 8, 2). This dialogue should not be interrupted; but must continue amid all our undertakings.
This closeness must be more thorough in the times we reserve for mental prayer: meditating and speaking in his presence, truly knowing that he “hears and sees us”. To go forward on the path to holiness, especially when we are weighed down by our frailty, let us recollect ourselves in prayer, in intimate conversation with our heavenly Father.
Prayer overflows in warmth and strength: an apostolic fire that burns and purifies. “That’s why you go to prayer: to become a blaze, a living flame giving heat and light.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 92)
“Now as you pray, you realize that this is the source that wells up within the true children of God.” (Ibid, “Furrow”, 455)
Ref: Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, 121-2

Perseverance in prayer
St Theresa has written: “Mental prayer is nothing else, in my opinion, but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him Who, we know, loves us.” (“Life, 8, 7”)
Prayer gives us strength to sanctify our daily work, to turn contradictions into blessings, to win over all difficulties. We will draw strength if our prayer is authentic.
On making ‘our act of the presence of God’, we have begun the conversation with him. A short prayer made with devotion and attention may help to begin our dialogue.
We should pray: ‘I firmly believe that you are here, that you see me, that you hear me ...’ God sees us. Recognizing this reality is itself prayer without even saying a word.
We may not experience special feelings in our prayer. Never mind! “For the person who makes a serious effort there will, however, be moments in which he seems to be wandering in a desert and, inspite of all his efforts, he ‘feels’ nothing of God. These trials are not spared anyone who takes prayer seriously ...” (SCDF, “Letter on some aspects of Christian meditation”, 15 October 1989, 30)
We may think that our struggle in prayer is futile, while God is immensely happy at our progress. Let us ask Our Lady that she teach us how to deal with her Son. Let us firmly resolve never to neglect our prayer, and simply do our best to overcome distractions in this time of personal conversation with the Lord.
Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 5:327-9

• Our Lady of the Rock, in the territory of Fiezoli, in Tuscany. This image is placed in a rock where two shepherds retired to pray: Our Lady ordered them to build a church in this place. — Archangel. Janius, in Annal. PP. Servitarum. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady of the Rock. Fiezoli, Tuscany, Italy. 1028. ["This image is placed in a rock, where two shepherds retired to pray; Our Lady ordered them to build a church in this place. (Archangel. Janius, in Annal. PP. Servitarum.)"] (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Rock (near Fiezoli, Tuscany, 1028). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)