Holy Week

Man, where'd it go?

It's Wednesday of Holy Week. If we retraced Jesus's steps, it would be this, essentially: Three days ago, he entered Jerusalem with his peasant entourage on a colt to the excitement of the crowd. Two days ago, he came to the temple and shut it down, keeping the machinery of business from running. Yesterday, he came back to the temple to teach an ever-expanding crowd about the amazing things we could be doing if only we listened to God. The truth is, yesterday, Jesus was a rock star. He was standing out in the open-air entrance to the temple just a couple of days before the holiest day of the year in a space bigger than three football fields, surrounded by cheering fans, doing what? Trashing the temple's chief priests.

Wednesday, however, is different. Jesus spent it, not with the adoring crowds, but with his disciples and select few. The main action for the day is done by a woman whose name was never recorded. She anointed Jesus in advance of his death and burial. She understands what Jesus is talking about in a way that none of the disciples did, and he commends her for it.

Think of the unpopular people you know. Have you ever seen a true act of kindness from them? Have you ever watched someone do something that caused you to say "I should've thought of that?" How did that make you feel? Do you ever think about it now, when faced with similar situations?

The example of the "unnamed woman" is one of true discipleship--but the main thing is that it shows us how to love. That we can be so incredibly giving and generous for its own sake; we don't need to expect anything in return.

What can you do today to prepare Jesus for burial? What can you do today to be there for someone you love?

PS--Here's an article I found that can liven up what we're really in the midst of: Into Holy Week.
Read it and enjoy!