Reflection:

At Passover time, near the time of the Last Supper [John 12:1-11] the Gospel presents the contrast of the repentant Mary and the shameless Judas Iscariot. “Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” Jesus was first in her heart and she surrendered to him totally. She expressed her repentance in an extravagant way. On the other hand, Judas Iscariot - the betrayer - showed himself to be selfishly attached to money. Jesus taught, “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” [Matthew 6:21] Only a few days remain until the celebration of the infinite love of Jesus for us. This is a time to examine our hearts and our commitment to Jesus

Prayer:

Lord, the woman fallen into many sins, recognizing your Divinity, rises to the status of myrrh-bearer, and mourning, brings to you myrrh before your burial. Woe to me, she says, for night holds for me the ecstasy of intemperance, gloomy and moonless, a desire for sin. Accept the springs of my tears, you who with clouds spread out the water of the sea. Bend down to me, to the lamentations of my heart, you who made the heavens incline by your ineffable humiliation. I will tenderly kiss your sacred feet, I will wipe them again wit the hair of my head, the feet whose sound Eve heart in Paradise in the afternoon and hid in fear. Who can delineate the multitude of my sins and the depths of your judgment My Redeemer, savior of souls? Do not disregard me, your servant, you, whose mercy is infinite.
- St Kassia, Byzantine poet

Action:

Consider the infinite love and mercy of Jesus for you and his sacrifice on the cross. With remorse for all the sins of your past life pray -

Act of Contrition
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong, and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you, whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend, with you help,
to do penance, to sin no more
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered
and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.
Amen.