the last word: worship
"Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the village of Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead." —John 12:1
During this Holy Week, we think of Jerusalem, including Gethsemani and Golgotha, that is, Calvary. However, we should also think of Bethany. Bethany is a place of love and hospitality (Lk 10:38; Jn 11:5), correction and contemplation (Lk 10:41-42), resurrection and freedom (Jn 11:44).
When we first heard about Jesus at Bethany, Martha was serving a meal and Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus (Lk 10:39-40). When we last hear about Jesus at Bethany, again Martha was serving a meal (Jn 12:2). Mary, however, was not only sitting at Jesus' feet but anointing His feet with large quantities of extremely expensive perfume (Jn 12:3). "Then she dried His feet with her hair" (Jn 12:3). At Bethany, the final word is "worship."
During Holy Week, may the scent of this worship fill the whole Church (see Jn 12:3). "An hour is coming, and is already here, when authentic worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth. Indeed, it is just such worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth" (Jn 4:23-24). This Holy Week, abandon yourself as never before to worship the Father through the Son and in the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, I offer my body to You as a living sacrifice and my spiritual worship (Rm 12:1).
Promise: "The coastlands will wait for His teaching." —Is 42:4
Praise: "We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world."
Reference: (For a related teaching, order Fr. Lauer's tape on Loving the Mass on audio AV 54-3 or video V-54.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000