Daily Gospel Reflection
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April 6, 2020
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.
Even in my senior year, I still experience awe when I enter the Basilica on campus. The ceiling is painted with vibrant blue, the stained glass glows with color, the tabernacle is lavished with gold. The Basilica appropriately reflects and reminds me of the splendor and glory of God.
Yet in today’s gospel, I find myself tempted by Judas’ rebuke of Mary’s extravagance towards Jesus. Jesus is supposed to be selfless and humble. Why does he allow Mary to anoint his feet with costly perfume and wipe his feet with her hair?
Jesus is not egotistical; he is God. Mary recognizes this and her actions communicate Jesus’ divinity. Perhaps her gestures are extravagant, even unnecessary. But they speak truth. If Jesus is God, it is fitting to honor and praise him. Why else would we design such beautiful churches and adorn them with lavish decoration and sacred art?
Today’s gospel challenges us to acknowledge and honor God’s presence in our lives. While we might not wipe Jesus’ feet with our own hair, we can try to be more focused on him when we pray. We can make the sign of the cross when we pass by a Catholic church. When we genuflect in front of a tabernacle, we can pause and remember it is God whom we reverence with that movement of our bodies.
It is radical to believe that God became human. It is radical to believe that God loves us enough to die on a cross for us. It is radical to believe that in every tabernacle across the world, God is truly present. But if this is what we believe, praising and honoring God seems only right and just. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s resurrection this Easter Sunday, let us prepare to give God honor and praise.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, ever present at our table, grant that we may receive a share of the great love that Mary had for you and, through humble service to the poor, may we encounter you, face to holy face. We ask this through your name, as you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Peter of Verona was famous for moving people with his preaching and miracles and was eventually killed because he proclaimed the truth so effectively.
Peter was born in the year 1205 in Italy, and when he went to study at the University of Bologna, he was offended by the behavior of his classmates. At the same time, he met the great St. Dominic and decided to follow him and entered the Order of Preachers.
Peter dedicated himself whole-heartedly to religious life—he spent his days in study or prayer or serving the sick. He grew into a successful preacher and traveled the region speaking to crowds.
He was falsely accused of scandalous behavior, and was exiled to a distant monastery until his name was cleared. He nearly despaired from the crisis, complaining that he had done nothing to deserve this trial. The insight came to him that Christ did not deserve his passion and death, and this thought restored his courage. When his name was cleared, he was even more effective as a preacher.
His eloquence and wisdom encouraged those struggling with their faith and brought back those who had wandered. He often spoke against those who professed to be Christian with their words, but who did not support those beliefs with their behavior.
He was given the gift of working miracles to accompany his preaching, and so many people were eager to hear him and be near him that he was often nearly crushed by the crowds that rushed together when he appeared.
In 1234, the pope appointed Peter as an inquisitor for the territory around Milan, which gave Peter an even wider context in which to defend and promote the faith. In addition to his preaching, he confronted heresy and reconciled those whose beliefs had strayed from the Church's.
His efforts created a number of enemies, as can be imagined, and they soon began to threaten his life. When he preached on Palm Sunday in 1252, he announced that a price had been placed on his head. “Let them do their worst,” he said. “I shall be more powerful dead than alive.”
On this date in 1252, Peter was traveling with another Dominican brother through the woods between towns when they were followed by assassins. One of the killers, a man named Carino, struck Peter on the head with an axe. Peter fell to the ground, wounded terribly but still conscious. Carino then attacked Peter’s companion. Peter began to recite the Apostle’s Creed before he was struck again and killed (which is why he is depicted with the word credo above, “I believe”). The other Dominican brother died five days later.
Carino, the assassin, fled to a distant town but was overwhelmed with shame at his actions. He repented of his crime and turned from the heresy that had inspired his opposition to Peter. He even later joined the Dominicans himself and was remembered as a holy man when he died.
Peter was canonized less than a year after his death, the fastest canonization ever. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Notre Dame's campus. Some calendars mark his feast on April 29, and he is also known as Peter the Martyr.
St. Peter of Verona, you were the wonder-working preacher who was assassinated for opposing heresy—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Peter of Verona is an illustration by Notre Dame alumnus Matthew Alderman '06, who holds exclusive rights to the further distribution and publication of his art. Used here with permission.