HOLY WEDNESDAY
Scripture reading: “When Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar full of very precious ointment; and she poured it out on his head while he was at the table.” Matthew 26:6 & 7
On this Silent Wednesday, we are reflecting on the beautiful gesture of the woman who poured precious oil over Jesus’ head. The story offers an excellent lesson on the essence of love and devotion. This woman exemplifies the meaning of putting love into action, immediately following Jesus’ teachings on mercy and caring for the needy through feeding and healing.
The disciples’ outraged reaction to the ‘waste’ of the precious oil emphasizes how easily we can overlook the value of an act of love when we let material considerations lead us. But Jesus explains the importance of the woman’s act. He understands that it is not about the price of the oil, but about the genuine love and recognition that comes with it.
The question we can ask ourselves on this Silent Wednesday is: Would we follow her example? Would we be willing to give the most precious thing we have, whether material or not, as an expression of our love and gratitude to Jesus? Today let us think about how we can express our love for Him in our daily lives, through acts of kindness, mercy and devotion to others.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, on this Holy Wednesday we think of the moving example of the woman who poured precious oil over your head. Give us the courage and the love to give you our heart and our resources, just as she did. Help us to reflect your love in everything we do. Amen