One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

- Luke 10:38-42

 Yesterday we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said:  "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  Mary and Martha are the sisters of Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Jesus (see John 11:1-44).  All the stories of these sisters and brother reveal a family to whom Jesus was very close, even a deep and personal love between all of them.  Moreover, the stories that involve these sisters all reveal consistent and distinct characteristics belonging to each one.  In both John's Gospel and here in Luke, Martha is the one concerned with the duties of hospitality, while Mary is the more contemplative, paying attention to duties of spiritual devotion.  My study bible says that Martha is not rebuked for serving, but rather for complaining and for being distracted, worried, and troubled.   In following Christ, it notes, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the gospel (see Acts 6:1-4).

Martha and Mary give us two distinct "types."  Both are close to Jesus, and beloved of Jesus.  Even in the narrative of Lazarus' death and resurrection (John 11:1-44), it is Martha who goes out to meet Christ as He is approaching their home, while Mary remains seated inside, the proper position for mourning.  This story here in Luke gives us a picture of another time, when Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, and stays in their home.  The stories of Martha and Mary, and Jesus' evident deep connection to them (John tells us that Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus; see John 11:5) give us a picture of women's roles within Jesus' ministry.  Although women played mostly supportive roles, and were not given the role of apostle, their presence in Jesus' ministry and in the early Church is exceptional and notable.  Also in John's Gospel, it is Mary Magdalene to whom Christ first reveals Himself as risen Lord (John 20:11-18).  She is called the Apostle to the Apostles, a title of the greatest honor.  Moreover, the Gospels make it clear that not only were there always women traveling with Christ throughout His ministry, and supporting that ministry (see, for example, Mark 15:40-41), but also the Epistles of St. Paul teach us the prominent place of women in the early Church.  When Paul sends loving greetings with each letter, the majority of these are directed to women in the Churches, indicating their important role.  Indeed, in the Roman Empire, when the Church was a growing and persecuted sect, one of the most common criticisms of Christianity was that it was a religion of "women and slaves."  Many of the greatest early Church Fathers were children of pagan fathers and Christian mothers.  From these historical facts we can conclude that this story of Martha and Mary is a perfect example of the organic workings of Christianity and its growth.  Jesus' intimate moments with these women reveal a closeness and tenderness that is all about this beautiful spiritual gift that was precious to women, just as Mary's role here in this particular story reveals the soul of a woman every bit as important and essential to God through Christ as any man's.  When Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her, it is a clear statement of approval, and filled with meaning for each one of us.  It teaches us about Mary's good judgment, her deep desire for the wisdom and truth He teaches, and a soul whose true longing must be accounted as good.   In the stories of the early Christian martyrs, we find as many -- if not more -- stories of women as men, many of them young women who, rather than be married and play a traditional prominent role as matron, prefer death for their faith to life without it.  These are stories not only of devotion and extraordinary faith, but they are also stories of powerful choices made by women.  It is these women, as much as any other factor, who were responsible for the spread of Christianity within the Roman Empire.  At heart is the capacity for being like Mary -- choosing that good part, which would not be taken away from them.  We have perhaps lost the thread of understanding of what it means to possess and choose for one's own soul that good part, and the powerful role women were offered through Christianity.  But let us never lose sight of what Christ brings to us,  His love and true friendship for both of these sisters, and the powerful choice for that good part that feeds our souls remains on offer to all of us.   The results of such a choice will always be extraordinary, even as the historical times shift and change.  It's important to note that throughout the Middle East, hospitality is of the utmost importance, and therefore the honor due to Martha that is understood here.  But Jesus offers us what He calls that good part, which shall not be taken away from us.

Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

- Luke 10:38-42

Yesterday we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said:  "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy to him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  In the stories of Martha and Mary, we find a great consistency in the depiction of their characters.  Both are essential to the story of Jesus and His ministry, both beloved by Christ as friends, along with their brother Lazarus.  It is Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11).  My study bible makes clear here that Martha isn't rebuked by Jesus for serving.  Rather He rebukes her for complaining and for being distracted, worried, and troubled.  In following Christ, my study bible tells us, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the gospel (see Acts 6:1-4).

What can we make of Mary's act of sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word?  We suppose that she is sitting there along with the men who are Jesus' disciples and have come to hear the famous Teacher speak.  Her sister's complaint is that Mary has left Martha to do all the serving herself, in a busy household of a rather prominent family as we gather from the Gospels, who is hosting their friend Jesus.  We can read Psalm 99, and understand that Mary is in fact doing just as the Psalm proclaims we should do:  "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool— He is holy" (verse 5).  In Luke chapter 9, we've read about the cost of discipleship:  nothing stands between the call to Christ and the gospel message, not even responsibilities to family.  Jesus says to one who wishes to go home and bury his father, "Let the dead bury their own dead."  He says to another who wishes to return home to say good-bye first, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  The call to discipleship takes priority, and Mary is answering that call.  Both Mary and Martha are recorded in the Gospels are those who form a core group of women essential to the ministry of Jesus.  They form deep bonds with Jesus, who weeps with them when their brother dies.   We must recall also Mary's anointing of Jesus, which He says is in preparation for His burial (John 12:1-8).   Each of these stories that have been given to us illuminate something of the character and devotion of this woman, for whom His Person, His message, His ministry is clearly paramount, primary to whatever else is happening in her life.  The two sisters form a core set piece of the lives of women; the duties belonging to social and daily life are juxtaposed against a deep devotion to the word of God, the "good part" that Mary has chosen.  Both are necessary and good, but we may see in the story a parallel for women that is equal to the demands of discipleship as expressed to the men called by Christ to "Follow Me."  Luke gives us a depth of true devotion expressed by Mary, consistent with what we know of her character, and returned in the compassion and love of Christ for both sisters.  In a time when the roles of women and men were far more segregated than many of us understand now, the Gospels teach us, through these sisters and others, not only the essential roles of women in the society, but the deeply meaningful and compelling nature of faith for all.  We must pause, however, to consider that no matter what differences we may think there are between Mary and Martha's time and ours, we still take pride in and make a priority of hospitality and our homes -- at times to distraction, worry, and trouble.  That Mary has chosen "that good part," which engages her mind, body, and soul, elevates all of us to the role of disciple, on no uncertain terms.

I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little

 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."   Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  And those who sat at table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."

- Luke 7:36-50

Yesterday, we read that the disciples of John the Baptist reported to him concerning all the things that Jesus was doing.  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"  And that very hour He cured many infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits, and to many blind He gave sight.  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard:  that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."  When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John:  "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  But what did you go out to see?  A man clothed in soft garments?  Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  But what did you go out to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written:  'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."   And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.   And the Lord said, "To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?  They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:  'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; We mourned to you, and you did not weep.' For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'  But wisdom is justified by all her children."

  Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."  So he said, "Teacher, say it."  "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"  Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."   Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."   This passage has many interesting commentaries by Church Fathers.  It is clear that the sinful woman has a great love for Christ.   This story reminds us of another banquet, this one in the house of a tax collector rather than a Pharisee.  There, Jesus taught, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."  But something new is entered into this particular banquet, and that something new is love.  With forgiveness comes great love.  The woman, in contrast to Simon the Pharisee, shows Christ great love.  Ambrose of Milan comments that this woman shows great love and in so doing, represents the Church.  He writes, "The Church has innumerable flowers of different fragrance," which form the oil of anointing of Christ's feet, love and blessing for Him.  Clement of Alexandria suggests that Christ's feet symbolize the apostles, the sweet odor prefiguring the anointment by the Holy Spirit.   She loves and receives His love, but the Pharisee is intrigued by Christ the man.  He doesn't show Christ the same love she does, nor even common hospitality.  My study bible says that the encounter with this sinful woman is an icon of the grace found in the Church.  Through her, and her evident love, the Church is shown to be greater than the Law, according to St. Ambrose, because the Law doesn't know the forgiveness of sins nor "the mystery in which secret sins are cleansed; therefore, what is lacking in the Law is perfected in the Gospel."

And those who sat at table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"  Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."  To forgive sins was beyond the bounds of the Law as understood by the Pharisees (see also 5:21).  Christ, however, isn't a mere human being but also the very Lawgiver Himself.  Cyril of Alexandria writes, "Who could declare the thins that were above the Law, except the One who ordained the Law?"

In the past two readings, we see a Jesus who vigorously defends those who are criticized or 'put down' by the powers that be, by the established in the society.  He defended John the Baptist in yesterday's reading, although John is by now in prison (and will die as a prisoner of Herod).  He scathingly replies to the crowd in yesterday's reading, asking them what they expected of a prophet like John, and telling them he was a prophet and the greatest of all prophets.   But, he added, the lowest in the Kingdom is greater than this.  In today's reading, we see this woman, an apparently notorious sinner, symbol of those who enter the Kingdom.  His defense of her is also open and complete, even contrasting her graciousness with Simon's.  But key to all of this is love.  She responds to Christ with profound love.  This is not a story only of Christ's love, but it is an understanding of love between creature and Creator, or Physician and the one who needs healing, of sinner and the One who forgives sin.  It's a depth of encounter and relationship that goes far beyond any requirement of the Law, or a definition of practice, or prescription for social order.  Love can't really be contained.  But it is the currency of the Kingdom, it is the one thing we can truly share with our Creator, it is true communion.  St. Ambrose writes of her as image of the Church, "She fittingly assumes the likeness of a prostitute, because Christ also took upon himself the form of a sinner."  In the depth of love we find a communion and understanding that touches the heart, for which measurement and rule and Law can't make a complete equivalent.  Grace works in the secret depths of understanding, that mystery that St. Ambrose writes about, as cited above.  Jesus knows this, and teaches us that love is the great key of communion and communication; it's the myrrh of forgiveness.   The woman's wordless entry, her great humility and show of love, all take place without negotiation but in the fullness of an understanding of the depth of the heart.  There is so much more to forgiveness of sin than crossing off an error; there is healing, there is the taking away of suffering by the One who has suffered with us.  That remains a mystery.  Going to Him in our own secret prayer with the hurts our lives we will find the same, and also the courage to face our own sins, imperfections, and ignorance with His grace.  But everything starts with love and ends with love, is fulfilled with love.

The poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always

 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.  Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, "What do you think -- that He will not come to the feast?"  Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom he had raised from the dead.  There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair.  And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.  But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"  This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.  But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.  For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."

- John 11:55-12:8

On Saturday, we read that many of those who had come to Mary from Jerusalem, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.  [For the story of the raising of Lazarus, see the readings of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.]  But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.  Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do?  For this Man works many signs.  If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation."  And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish."  Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.  Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.  Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

 And the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.  Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, "What do you think -- that He will not come to the feast?"  Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.  My study bible says that because Jesus is the Lamb of God, the connection between the Passover, when  lambs were slaughtered to save the Jews from death (Exodus 12:1-13), and the death of Jesus, which saved mankind from sin and death, is continually emphasized.  And yet again, John's Gospel gives us the controversy surrounding Jesus, the differing opinions among the people, and the fear provoked by religious authorities.

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom he had raised from the dead.  This is the third Passover spoken of in John's Gospel.  (For the earlier Passover years, see 2:13, 6:4.)   This Passover is the setting for the last week of the earthly ministry of Christ, and it is narrated in careful detail.  My study bible says that Jesus had already been glorified through His signs and words.  Now it is time for Him to be glorified through His death and Resurrection.

There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair.  And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.  But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"  This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.  But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.  For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."   My study bible here speaks of Judas.  It points out that the other disciples said the same thing he did, but with a very different motive (see Matthew 26:6-13).  John tells us that Judas spoke from greed.  My study bible says the fact that Jesus put a thief in charge of the money shows that by every means He attempted to save Judas:  He fulfilled Judas' lust for money; He allowed Judas to exercise apostolic authority (6:11; see also Mark 6:7); He washed Judas' feet with the other disciples (13:5); and He allowed him to partake at the table of the Mystical Supper (13:26).  Yet Judas could not overcome his greed.

It's striking the contrast of attitudes and details here in today's reading.  There is first of all the astonishing fact that Lazarus, a man brought back from the dead, is sitting here at this table with Jesus. One might possibly imagine people tempted at least to stare at him, or to look for signs of this experience in his face and manner.  And then there is the second fact of Mary's anointing of Christ.  Not only is the act itself something unusual and astonishing, but it is greatly remarked upon.  What is striking is John's detail, that the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.  One can't help but think about the vivid and strong picture we're given here, of not one but two extraordinary things happening, and a whole house filled with the scent of this extremely expensive fragrance.   Not only would the scent have been powerfully present and remarkable to the apostles (most of whom did not come from backgrounds where they would have been frequently exposed to anything like this costly beautiful ointment), but the oil was fragrant enough so that it fills the entire house.   We know the power of scent as something that can be potent and overwhelming, stunning to the senses.  But despite all this that is going on, there is one thing in Judas' mind:  and that is the cost of this fragrant oil.  He clearly sees it as a "waste."  John tells us that Judas is a thief, and he cares for the money that could have come into the funds of the apostles, from which he used to steal.  But there is just so much more here that is missing from Judas' perspective.  There is the tremendous love expressed by this woman for Christ.  This story appears in all four Gospels, but it's not clear if we are talking about the same woman in each.  Certainly it's not clear that each incident involves Mary of Bethany.  In Luke's Gospel (Luke 7:36-50) this woman is called a great sinner by the Pharisee who hosts the dinner.  But in the accounts of Mark and Matthew, Jesus says that she is anointing Him for burial, and that "wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her" (see Mark 14:8-9, Matthew 26:12).   So that we understand a true impulse to help the poor is important and good, Jesus says, "For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."  But again, this statement goes to emphasize the importance of her act of love and care.   And love and care must be the root of what we are motivated to do.  In Matthew 9:13, Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6:  "Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."  If we look closely, it seems to me that Judas is self-righteously speaking of (someone else's) sacrifice, while the woman is responding to her own deep sense of love and mercy.  And it's in this contrast between mercy and sacrifice that we understand Jesus and what He's trying to say, and what the Gospel story is teaching us.  One is a kind of duty, even detached from oneself, something done to fulfill a rule, possibly even calculated through an intellectual understanding of what seems to be required from oneself.  But the other is an act of love, motivated from compassion, a depth of response in the heart.  That is not to imply or invoke a kind of sentimentality.  Rather it is a depth of genuine response in the fullness of ourselves.  This woman senses a true need, and she responds with love.  The world -- and all of the men and women who are His followers -- are about to suffer a tremendous loss.   Mary of Bethany is the one to whom Jesus responded in her suffering at the loss of her brother by weeping Himself.  There's no doubt about the depth of feeling between Jesus and the family of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha.  Mary is also the one who sat at his feet, and earned praise from Jesus for doing so when her sister complained that she was not being helpful (Luke 10:38:-42).  He said on that occasion, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  Let us consider what it means for the Lord to desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the depth of fullness in us that asks.  When we are capable of truly responding with the one thing necessary, that good part, then perhaps we also will truly understand as she did.