Monday in Holy Week

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. 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.
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said,
“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?”
He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions.
So Jesus said, 

“Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him. (John 12:  1-11)

A thought: 

It is SIX days before the moment the created world (including us) will be reconciled to the Father: He who made the whole of creation in SIX days, begins today the preparations for that moment. For He who created mankind on the SIXTH DAY will redeem mankind on the SIXTH DAY hence.

Just as the preparation for this moment is made at table: at Bethany (which means 'house of obedience') so our redemption continues to be renewed at table: at the Altar of the Church- the place of the obedient.

At this table, Jesus, Mary and Martha rejoice together with Lazarus , who has been raised from the dead: so to at the Altar of Heavenly Grace, we are joined by those who having remained obedient, live in the presence of Truth.

The Collect:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, though in our weakness we fail, we may be revived through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

The Prayer over the People:

May your protection, O Lord, we pray, defend the humble and keep ever safe those who trust in your mercy, that they may celebrate the paschal festivities not only with bodily observance but above all with purity of mind. Through Christ our Lord.