Jesus’ presence in Jerusalem on the week before Passover brought rejoicing on Palm Sunday, but terrified Jewish leaders plotted to kill Jesus. The week before his death, Jesus was in Bethany, near Jerusalem, at the house of Simon the Leper (identified by some with Lazarus of Bethany). While at dinner, a woman anointed Jesus’ head and feet with expensive ointment and her tears. John’s Gospel account says this was Mary of Bethany. Luke identifies her as a “sinful woman” (a woman forgiven of notorious sins). An ancient interpretation conflates Mary of Bethany with Mary Magdalene and says that Mary and the sinful woman are one and the same. In either case, this extravagant display of love was met with indignation from Judas Iscariot who may have fomented disgust among other disciples. “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denaraii and given to the poor?” Judas asked. The Gospel of John notes that Judas “said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” Jesus answered, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” This event was the last straw for Judas. He left the gathering and met with the chief priests on the Wednesday before Passover, pledging to betray Jesus over to them in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.
Assist us mercifully with your grace, Lord God of our salvation, that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty acts by which you have promised us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
Art & history by Ben Lansing
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