Our Proper Response to the Lord Jesus Christ

April 3, Monday of Holy Week
Is 42:1-7; Jn 12:1-11

The first reading begins with the following words: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” These words are fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Matthew 12:8 says, “This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the Prophet Isaiah.” God, the Father, presents Jesus Christ, in whom the Father has put his Spirit, to the world, and he requires a proper response from his people. Such words are made clear in God’s own words at the event of the transfiguration: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Our question, then, is “How do we respond to the person of Jesus Christ?”

The Gospel reading gives us two models on how to respond to the person of Jesus Christ. Mary sets a good example of how to respond to the presence of Jesus. With great respect, she welcomes Jesus into her house, and, out of love, sacrifices an expensive oil to anoint his feet. Through this act, she pays her highest honor to the person of Jesus. She cherishes her moments with Jesus. Such an attitude is founded on her attentiveness to the teachings of Jesus and what Jesus has done.

Judas Iscariot, on the other side, has taken Jesus for granted. He has been with Jesus all the time and has been listening to his teachings and seeing the deeds of Jesus. However, those moments are not well-cherished by Judas because his heart is not on what Jesus teaches and does but on the material gain that he can avail himself of from his relationship with Jesus.

We may not respond well to the presence of Jesus in our lives because of the many concerns we have. The readings of today challenge us to give a proper response to our Lord Jesus Christ because he is our Lord and Our Savior.