We are called to worship Jesus with all we are and all we have. Mary was doing that. Judas saw it and was annoyed, claiming it was a waste of expensive lotion. Jesus rebuked him. Jesus’ remark that “you always have the poor with you” has been used as an excuse to not help the poor. That’s not what Jesus meant. He had often commanded His followers to help the poor. But the poor are not our top priority. Jesus is. Just as Jesus tells us that our families must be a distant second priority, the poor have to be as well. Jesus tells us the most important commandment is to love God and the second is to love our neighbors. We are to care for our families, our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to care for the poor, but our top priority, the object of our worship, is Christ.
Can you see yourself sitting on the floor, spending your life savings to anoint Jesus’ feet? Mary was moved by her love for Jesus and her gratitude at what He had done for her. That outpouring of emotion and devotion should be part of our faith and worship.
How do you show this kind of devotion to Jesus? How should you? Pray about it.