“Falling in love with the Lord and exhibiting it to the world, with courage, even in the face of hopelessness and humiliation!”
(Based on Is 42:1-7 and Jn 12:1-11)
One night, a little girl knelt for her bed-time prayer.
She was a good girl, who did a lot of good deeds – helping her Mom in her works, keeping the newspapers tidy for her Dad, sharing her chocolates with her younger brother etc.
The mother went close to the child and suggested things to be thankful for.
The Mother also added, “Won’t you ask the Lord to help you love Him more?”
The child lifted her large button-shaped innocent eyes with a puzzled look.
“What is it, dear?” asked the mother.
“Did you tell me to ask Him to help me love Him more, Mamma?” said the little girl, innocently. “Yes, my little dear.”
“But how can I love Him more, Mamma?” replied the little child, “I am already just so crazy
about Him!”
The little child had, very early on in life, grasped the meaning of “falling in love” with God!
Have I “fallen in love” with the Lord and remain faithful to the love-life in the Lord?
The Gospel presents a wonderful expression of love towards Jesus and the subsequent acknowledgement of this gesture of love, by the Lord of Love!
We have the Gospel wherein Mary anoints the feet of the Lord.
“Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped
his feet with her hair, and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.” (Jn 12:3)
The ointment represented her love for the Lord – and she gave Herself completely to the
Lord!
The fragrance of the ointment filling the house was symbolic of the deep love that
emanated from her heart for the Lord!
She is an example for all Christians to realise that “Loving Jesus” is not just an act of sentiment, but ought to be publicly displayed – even in the face of humiliation and criticism.
She exhibited to the world that no one can deter or discourage a person “who has fallen in
love with the Lord!”
Judas Iscariot, however, tried to dissuade this gesture of love by presenting “an alternative act
of piety” – serving the poor.
But St John, the Evangelist would uncover the real motive of this statement of Judas: “This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it.” (Jn 12:6)
Judas represents all people who demonstrate the danger of materialism and duplicity that has
been neatly covered-up by the cloak of piety.
He characterizes all people whose focus have moved from “Following the Lord” to “Plotting against the Master.”
We need to check and examine:
Is my love for the Lord, losing its sheen and getting corrupted with worldliness?
Chiding Judas Iscariot, who exposed his avaricious motives, Jesus would sternly tell, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial.” (Jn 12:7)
The Lord acknowledged the tremendous and daring love of the woman for Him!
He accepted the loving actions of Mary and gave a big message to the people around:
… He is the One worthy of receiving the highest and deepest love
… He is the One deserving the sweetest and the most priceless affections of our hearts
… He is the One meritorious of every expression of endearment and fondness.
What is my level of love for the Lord?
Am I courageous to express my love for Him in actions that trespass humiliations or shame
or guilt?
Am I bold to show that I truly love Him by living a life in accordance with the virtues of
the Gospel?
Am I credible enough to say that I really love Him by extending His care to all those who
are in need?
This Holy Week is a special time when we dwell on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the
Lord…
… the Lord Who is “deeply in love with us!”
Prophet Isaiah reminds us of Jesus, the Suffering Servant, who underwent many trials, for love of each one of us. He is the True Light of our lives, and it’s in Him, that we ought to place our complete trust – especially in this time of struggle and sickness:
“Thus says God, the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, Who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people…
… a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness!” (Is 42:5-7)
Let us take extra effort and time, this week specially, to grow in our “falling in love” with God!”
May we be inspired by the words of St Robert Bellarmine:
“The school of Christ is the school of love.
On the last day, when the general examination takes place…
… Love will be the whole syllabus.”
God Bless! Live Jesus!
Reflection Capsules 