This year, two people that have been part of the Passion of Jesus caught my attention when I was reading the Gospel. They were probably very close friends to Jesus because they were among those who Jesus had spent his last days with. I’m talking about Mary of Bethany and Judas Iscariot who had relevant participation in Jesus’ passion.
According to Mark, two days before the Passover, Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Lazarus, who he had raised from the dead, when his sister Mary came in with an alabaster jar of very costly perfumed oil, pure nard. She broke the jar and poured it on Jesus’ feet. Some of those who were at table with him were outraged at what they considered a waste of money. Actually, the worth of the oil was about a year’s worth of wages, about 300 denarii, currently $54,509 in U.S. dollars. Maybe, the woman had offered all she had, her own heart. As so, she prepared her beloved friend for his passion.”No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn15,13)
The day after, Jesus was at the table again with his disciples, it was a special occasion which has been prepared by the disciples to celebrate the Passover. This time, one of them, who used to dip his hand into the dish with Jesus, meaning they were very close, a friend, would sell his master. And so, he exchanged his friendship for thirty silver pieces, as though he was less worth than the value of a slave.
In one hand, is offering and self-giving. On the other hand, is sale price and betraying. Two friends but two different choices. These stories moved me to consider the Holy Week as a moment of choices for the Christians. We could say that Judas and Mary were Christians and disciples. However, to be close to Jesus does not mean to be faithful. Our choices will reveal which role we will play.
