Monday of Holy Week
Liturgical Colour: Violet
Year: A (II)
First Reading
Isaiah 42:1–7
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom my soul delights.
I have endowed him with my spirit
that he may bring true justice to the nations.
He does not cry out or shout aloud,
or make his voice heard in the streets.
He does not break the crushed reed,
nor quench the wavering flame.
Faithfully he brings true justice;
he will neither waver, nor be crushed
until true justice is established on earth,
for the islands are awaiting his law.
Thus says God, the Lord,
he who created the heavens and spread them out,
who gave shape to the earth and what comes from it,
who gave breath to its people
and life to the creatures that move in it:
“I, the Lord, have called you to serve the cause of right;
I have taken you by the hand and formed you;
I have appointed you as covenant of the people and light of the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to free captives from prison,
and those who live in darkness from the dungeon.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 26(27):1–3, 13–14
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is my light and my help;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
before whom shall I shrink?
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
When evil-doers draw near
to devour my flesh,
it is they, my enemies and foes,
who stumble and fall.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me
my heart would not fear.
Though war break out against me
even then would I trust.
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Hope in him, hold firm and take heart.
Hope in the Lord!
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel Acclamation
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Let us greet our king;
he alone showed mercy for our sins.
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Gospel
John 12:1–11
Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom he had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there; Martha waited on them and Lazarus was among those at table. Mary brought in a pound of very costly ointment, pure nard, and with it anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair; the house was full of the scent of the ointment.
Then Judas Iscariot – one of his disciples, the man who was to betray him – said, “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he was in charge of the common fund and used to help himself to the contributions.
So Jesus said, “Leave her alone; she had to keep this scent for the day of my burial. You have the poor with you always, you will not always have me.”
Meanwhile a large number of Jews heard that he was there and came not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. Then the chief priests decided to kill Lazarus as well, since it was on his account that many of the Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus.
Reflection
Holy Week begins quietly.
Isaiah presents the Servant of the Lord — gentle, steady, faithful. He does not crush the bruised reed. He does not extinguish the flickering flame. The Church recognises in this Servant a prophetic image of Christ (CCC 713). His mission is not domination, but restoration.
The Catechism teaches that Jesus fulfils the hope of Israel as the “light of the nations” (CCC 748). He opens blind eyes, frees captives, and establishes justice — not through force, but through obedient suffering (CCC 601).
The Gospel scene in Bethany is deeply intimate. Before the public humiliation of Good Friday, there is private devotion.
Mary anoints Jesus with costly perfume. It is extravagant. It is unnecessary in purely practical terms. Yet love rarely measures itself by efficiency.
Judas protests — but John exposes the motive. This contrast reveals something essential: worship can look wasteful to those who do not understand love.
The Catechism reminds us that Christ’s burial and anointing are part of the saving mystery (CCC 624–625). Mary’s gesture anticipates the Passion. She prepares his body for what is coming. While others plot death, she offers honour.
The fragrance fills the house.
In Scripture, fragrance symbolises sacrifice pleasing to God. Christ’s self-offering will be the definitive “fragrant offering” (cf. CCC 613–614). Mary’s act becomes a sign of the greater offering to come.
Holy Week is not rushed. It moves deliberately. The tension rises. The leaders plot not only against Jesus, but even against Lazarus — life itself becomes threatening to those invested in control.
And yet, beneath all of it, the Servant remains steady.
He will not break.
He will not shout.
He will not waver.
Monday of Holy Week invites us into quiet fidelity.
Before the Cross comes devotion.
Before sacrifice comes love.
One line to carry today
Love that recognises Christ is never wasted.
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