Cristy Li

Blessed Monday of Holy Week -Image Courtesy: St Paul Street Evangelization 

Mary Anoints Jesus

Six days before Pesach (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 anointing Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with fragrance of the perfume.

Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples (the one who was about to betray Him) said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denari and the money given to the poor?” (Judas said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; Judas 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.”

The Plot To Kill Lazarus

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, many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. –John 12:1-11

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit: -USCCB

“As we enter Holy Week, let us fast and pray for our country, our leaders and for a new spirit of religious liberty in our times.” –Archbishop Jose Gomez

Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary  -Image: Archbishop Jose Gomez

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary and Mary was the Mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generation.

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about this way:When His Mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss (divorce) her quietly but just when he had resolved to do this, am Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said:

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife for the Child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit, she will bear a Son and you are to name Him Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel,” (Isaiah 7:14) which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke from sleep he did as the Angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. –Matthew 1:16-24

Related: For Today’s Bible Readings and More Visit: -USCCB