His Word Today: Pride

Good morning everyone,

Yesterday, we entered into Holy Week.  With pageantry that is more than we would normally observe, we celebrated the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, recalling the moment when Jesus entered into Jerusalem, riding on a colt.  Like those crowds who welcomed him and shouted out their Hosannas, we too can take pride in the fact that Jesus is with us today, leading us toward the celebration of Easter that will take place this coming weekend.

The prophet Isaiah conveys words of pride today as well: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.  Upon him I have placed my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations (Is 42:1).  As we read these words, which God spoke through the prophet, we can easily see that God takes delight in his servant.  These words would be repeated on the day of Jesus' baptism (cf Mt 3:17).

Further evidence of the virtue of pride is shown in the gospel for today's liturgy: six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, at the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary ... Mary took a litre of costly perfumed oil ... and anointed the feet of Jesus (Jn 12:3).  On another occasion, when Jesus and his disciples had visited this house, Mary had sat at Jesus' feet listening to his teachings.  At this time too, she was present and the pride that she had in him was evident in her gesture.  The words Jesus had spoken had evidently found a place in her heart and she had grown to trust him.  On other occasions, he had probably spoken to them about the same teachings that he also shared in public about his Father, our Father ... and about heaven.  On this occasion, knowing that he was coming to Jerusalem and that the Son of Man would suffer (cf Mk 8:31), he was probably speaking with them about this at the very moment when Mary was anointing his feet.

Did Mary understand at that moment that Jesus would be glorified through his suffering?  Did she understand that this friend of hers was truly God's son?  Were the words of Isaiah's prophecy echoing in her heart?

Today, let us ask this humble woman to pray with us too.  As we prepare for the celebrations of Easter, let us also pray for the grace to take pride in our faith, pride in Jesus, pride in his self-sacrificing love ... and let us ask him to help us to love others in this way as well.

Have a great day.