”You have the poor among you always, but you will not always have me.” Jesus, in today’s Gospel John 12:1-8.
“He just dropped a nuclear bomb on the global trading system.” Ken Roggoff, former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, re Donald Trump’s tariffs.
”Today is America’s Liberation Day.” President Donald Trump, re his tariffs.
Today is Passion Sunday, the start of Passiontide, when the cross looms ever closer as Jesus continues to make his way to Jerusalem. The Gospel takes place at the home of siblings Lazarus, Martha and Mary who have already experienced death and restoration when Lazarus was raised from his tomb by Jesus after being dead for four days. It might be thought that they would realise that death could have no hold on Jesus but it is Mary who anoints his feet with expensive oil – according to St Mark, this cost 300 denarii or a year’s wage in those days – and wipes them with her hair. Contrasting with the stench of Lazarus ‘ tomb, on which Martha commented at the time, the fragrance of its perfume fills the whole house. It leads to the thief Judas complaining that the oil of pure nard could have been sold and the money given to the poor. In response, Jesus explicitly tells all present that she is preparing him for his burial – this is a prophetic act as well as a loving one. Mary also prefigures the washing of his disciples’ feet by Jesus at the Last Supper – she is a faithful and generous follower, whereas Judas is greedy and has been stealing from the common purse. What a contrast between them both!
John writes that this happens after the chief priests and Pharisees have ordered that anyone who knew where Jesus was should give information so that he could be arrested, which later leads to Judas agreeing to betray him for thirty pieces of silver. They also resolve to do away with Lazarus too, as so many people are turning to Jesus after what happens. This is a dangerous time for all involved as tensions increase and money plays its part in the considerations, for those who have the luxury of choice.
Money is a focus for many people currently, with worldwide tensions being increased by the consequences of Donald Trump’s tariffs and policies, with contrasting interpretations of them. However, this is creating an uncertainty which will affect more than the stock markets – as Simon Jack, the BBC’s Business Editor, commented: ‘The real warning sign here is not about the value of your pension but about the health of the economy in which we live and work.’
The health of the economy was a focus in the UK even before the recent tariffs with the whole benefit system, as well as government departments, being subjected to radical cuts and changes made by the Chancellor in her Spring Statement. Health and the cost of living, generosity and greed, poverty and wealth, passion and indifference – the contrasts of life today, as in the time of Jesus, arouse passions and reactions in many forms. Judas came to regret what he did – while there is still time, what do we feel passionately or indifferently about and is there anything we need to change our minds about this Passion Sunday?
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.