Jesus came to proclaim justice and righteousness, and through obedience, he gave us freedom from sin and death. In today’s gospel, Jesus visited Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, where Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfumed oil, and she dried them with her hair. This humble and beautiful act of love towards Jesus was also a gesture of preparation for his death. We are to make Jesus the center of our adoration and love so that we may learn to do what is right at all times. Mary and Martha earned God’s grace and friendship because they knew and did the right things. Like Martha, who used her gift of hospitality, we must learn to accommodate and share with strangers, the poor, sinners, the rich and everyone around us, in God’s love. And like Mary, we should show gratitude and generosity to God and others through humble and kind gestures. In the same way, we should avoid judgmental criticisms borne out of envy or greed, like Judas’ resentment of Mary’s kindness.

PRAYER: Lord, help me always to know and do what is right, not for people’s appraisal but because it is the right thing which pleases you. Amen