Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
[John 12, 1-3]
Jesus also had friends. The family of Martha, Maria and Lazarus was certainly a point of reference, and he loved being in this house where he felt welcomed and loved. During the last supper with them, Maria makes a surprising gesture. Her love for him is so profound that she finds no other way to express it than with this very expensive perfume, poured out with exaggerated abundance, applied with gestures of extreme tenderness. It is the last real consolation for Jesus, before His Passion.
I would like to learn from Martha how to serve you,
from Lazarus to be with you,
from Maria, to show you my generous love
poured out like precious oil with exaggerated abundance.
I would like your presence to smell in my home, in my family, in my community …
Jesus, let me live each day in deep friendship with You.
Fiorenzo Salvi
Giampietro Polini