Homily | March 30, 2026 | Are You Loving Or Managing Jesus? (Episode 71)

Monday of Holy Week always feels like the church slows everything down, and at the same time intensifies everything.

You're standing right at the edge of the passion, and the readings don't shout, they draw you in.

The first reading from the prophet Isaiah gives us that haunting image of the servant, a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smothering wick he shall not quench.

That's not how we usually think power works.

Power in our world dominates, it crushes, it proves itself.

But here's God's power, gentle, patient, almost hidden.

He doesn't break the weak, he doesn't extinguish what is barely alive, he restores it.

Then if we go to the gospel, it gives us a scene that feels almost out of place in Holy Week, intimate, quiet, deeply personal.

Jesus is at the table in Bethany, Lazarus is there, living proof that death does not get the final word.

Martha's serving as she always does, and Mary well, Mary does something extravagant.

She takes a year's wage that it'll be gone in a moment, and pours it out at the feet of Jesus, pours it right on his feet.

No calculation, no restraint, just love.

And immediately Judas objects.

And let's be honest, his argument sounds reasonable.

Why not give it to the poor?

Sounds responsible, it sounds like good stewardship, it sounds even righteous.

But the gospel unmasks him.

It's not about the poor, it's about control.

It's about the heart that has already begun to close in on itself.

That's the tension of the gospel.

Two ways of relating to Jesus.

Mary gives everything, Judas calculates everything.

Mary wastes herself in love.

Judas reduces everything to utility.

Mary sees Jesus for who he is.

Judas sees only what he can get out of it.

And here's where it hits us because this is isn't just about them, it's about us.

You can be physically close to Jesus and still be far from him.

Judas was at the table right there.

Judas heard the teaching.

Judas saw the miracles, and yet his heart was already drifting.

Mary, on the other hand, says nothing.

She doesn't preach, she doesn't argue, she just loves.

And that love fills the whole house.

The gospel says the house was filled with the fragrance.

Real love always does that.

It changes the atmosphere.

It lingers.

Something real, something tangible.

Holy Week is asking something very simple but very uncomfortable.

Which one are you?

Or which one have you been lately?

Are you still measuring your generosity with God?

Still calculating how much is too much?

Still holding back, still trying to control every narrative?

Or are you ready to pour it all out?

Because here's the truth.

Jesus is about to pour himself out completely on the cross.

No calculations, no holding back, total give, total love.

The only response is, or the only real response to that kind of love, is to stop negotiating, stop trying to control everything, and give him everything.

Amen.