Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 15 April 2019 Monday of Holy Week.
‘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 into it.) John 12, 1
The man of our days has a tendency to explain everything , to adorn it , to dip it some sort of sweet coating so it becomes more palatable ! One can read a lot about the dilemma of Judas , why in fact does somebody stand on the dark side , why does someone become a base traitor ? Unfortunately everything is very subjective these days , everything can be interpreted in different ways , obscene , ugly things with a bit of psychological beating about the bush can be made presentable!! How much easier would it be to say that sin is bad that destroys body and soul , like the rust the metal ! lies , hypocrisy , stealing , betrayal are sin, evil things that cannot be explained but one has to repent it , we can only be free of them if we distance ourselves by honest, heartfelt repentance, remorse !
John knew his companions well , that is why he is not trying to obscure the truth, but calls a spade a spade :Judas was a thief , a greedy, money hungry man ! Sin does not have to be hushed up, glossed over , explained but has to be called by its name! Especially then when we recognise that sin within ourself !! Holy Week is the time of repentance ! We should not be covering up our own sins and especially we should not cherish it , but as we a toothache we run to the dentist , the same way we should turn to our father confessor and lets open up our spiritual wounds that were caused by sin !! Lets trust in our Redeemer , because quite certainly if we feel sincere repentance , make a strong vow, deliberate turning away from evil, then we’ll be saved !
Lets do our Easter reconciliation ! Our Heavenly Father awaits with love His prodigal children as well.
Father Csaba .
translated by dr k.e.
Photo : Jesus Christ accepted the death on the cross for the sinners , for us.
The Word of God
Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘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 into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’
When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.
John 12:1-11
Father Csaba’s reflection on the gospel Monday 15 April 2019 Monday of Holy Week.