Sequel to yesterday’s reflection, Fr. Chidube Ubili, OP reflects today on Jesus at a dinner party taken from Jn. 12:1-11.
- We recalled Jesus’ Triumphant Entry Into Jerusalem, which we celebrated as Palm Sunday on Sunday 5th April, to begin the events of Holy Week, 2020. But, before Jesus rode high on a Donkey to Jerusalem, he took time off to visit Bethany, about 2miles(3.2kms) away from Jerusalem. While at Bethany, he was a “distinguished guest” at a dinner organized to honour and thank Him for raising Lazarus from the dead.The trio siblings; Martha, Lazarus and Mary(MaLaMa) were His hosts(We never knew nor heard who their parents were). Lazarus, the “come-back-to-life” was at table with Jesus, while Martha waited on them. Mary did the unthinkable, by anointing the feet of Jesus with an expensive and highly scented oil and wiped it with her hair.
- This happened six(6)days before the Jewish passover. So, Jesus must have by now been anticipating and mentally previewing the onset of His passion. Jesus might have honoured the Dinner invitation at that “passion imminent period”, to enable Him relax, wind down stress and ease tension. Why not, afterall He was human. Hence, Mary’s gesture of love must have been a great soothing relief and comfort for Him. No wonder, He quickly rebuffed the mischievous attempt by Judas Iscariot to discredit Mary’s charity – a selfless and sacrificial service.
- We now live in a “Lock-Down”(LD) time and are confined to Stay-At-Home (SAH). With anxiety stress and deprivation, we wonder about “what worse thing may happen next”. We all should become “loving and caring” to one another more than ever before, as Lazarus, Martha or Mary. Lazarus was a faithful companion at table; keeping Jesus company with his presence – the gift of “Time”. Martha was active in diligent service; providing what was needed for the comfort of Jesus, the family guest – the gift of “Talent”(or skill). Mary exhausted her reserve of an expensive oil on the feet of Jesus – the gift of “Treasure”.
- Likewise, with the 3Ts(time, talent and treasure), we should support one another with the succor and soothing balm of love and care for the strength, hope and courage we need to overcome this difficult time. What the Martha-Lazarus-Mary (MaLaMa) family did was a magnanimous act of solidarity with Jesus who was anticipating His passion and therefore in need of love and care.
- Living in the LD and SAH conditions, is akin to being in Passion with Christ. “Passion”, from the Latin verb, “patio” which means “to suffer, bear, endure”; which also correlates to “patience, patient”. We are in Passion with Christ because as He suffered in Jerusalem to save humanity, so we are suffering in LD and SAH to “Stay Alive” and “Stay Safe” from COVID-19.
- Passion Time calls for a human solidarity in bearing pains and synergy in seeking solutions to identified problems. So, let everyone try to do something; no matter how small, to reduce the pain and suffering of the LD and SAH: say some kind soothing words to encourage a depressed family member or neighbour, make some jokes or fun to ease tension and stress, give a token in cash or kind to support a needy person around, gently correct any misinformation that heightens panic and tension. Indeed, be positive and cooperate with others in the family or neighbourhood, in devising ways or means to live through the LD and SAH.
With this solidarity and synergy in Passion with Christ, we shall rise with Him at Easter, over and above the torments and pains of COVID-19. Amen.