In the Gospel this morning, we see the stark contrast between the generosity of Mary of
Bethany and the avarice of Judas Iscariot. We see the love of God that filled the heart of Mary and the
love of money that filled the heart of Judas. Mary loves our Lord and so she's willing to sacrifice
great things for him. She sacrifices the expensive ointment. Judas, on the other hand,
he loves money and so he's willing to use even deception in order to obtain it.
While Mary's act of generosity and love merits for her an increase of grace and glory,
Judas' act of miserliness and self-love causes him to lose God's grace and renders his heart
ever more cold to Christ and sets himself more firmly on the path of self-destruction.
All of this confirms the truth of our Lord's words when he says that we cannot love both God and money.
We will either love the one and hate the other, or we will despise the one and love the other.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.
Amen.