In the Gospel reading we see the love and devotion of Mary who anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume and wiped his feet with her hair: “was she not keeping it for the day of my burial?”

Judas, who was a thief and would betray Jesus, dared to complain about the “waste,” “This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins and turned over to the poor.”

For Mary the expensive perfume was but a sign of her love and respect for the Lord who had taught her and others so much, who had been such a help for so many. For Judas the expensive perfume was a waste because, despite their years and time together, he did not really love and respect the Lord. If one loves, nothing is too expensive for the beloved.

In the first reading the prophet Isaiah reminds us of the key mission of the Messiah, “as a light to the nations, to open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in darkness.”

Lord, come and save us.