As Jesus was going to Jerusalem, He visited the house of Simon the leper. A woman came and poured precious myrrh on the head of Christ and wiped His feet with her hair, serving Him at great cost to herself. This event is described because, according to the Christ's word, her act of great fervor shall be proclaimed to everyone everywhere. What moved her to do this? She had seen how merciful Christ was and how accessible to all; now, in particular, she saw Him enter the house of a leper, whom the Law deemed unclean and unfit for society. She thought to herself that He would heal the man's leprosy and likewise the illness of her own soul. Thus, while He was seated, she poured on top of His head myrrh, which was worth about "three hundred thirteen denarii in silver coin," that is, sixty assaria, and she wiped His feet with her hair." She placed her head at His feet, showing her zeal for repentance, but the disciples scolded her, particularly Judas Iscariot. Christ, however, welcomed her, not allowing them to scare her away.
We should know that today the deceitful Judas, that lover of money, Satan's child, began the negotiations with the wicked Sanhedrin to betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Being indignant after Christ rebuked him for showing concern for the cost of myrrh, he sought out the Jews who were at the court of Caiaphas. After taking council with the Jewish High Priests, he searched for an opportunity to betray the Lord when He was alone, for the Sanhedrin feared the multitude that followed Christ.
We see in today's Gospel (Matt. 26:6-16) that the sinful woman brought myrrh to anoint Christ, while Judas brought his greed to the Sanhedrin. She spread out her hair to wipe the Lord's feet, while Judas stretched out his hands for the money. She rejoiced to pour out the very precious oil on the Lord, while Judas made plans to sell the One who is above all price. By anointing Christ, she acknowledged Him as Lord, while Judas severed himself from the Master. She was set free of her sins, while Judas was entrapped and became a slave of the devil. She tenderly kissed the feet of Christ, asking for forgiveness, while Judas plotted to betray the Lord with a kiss, anticipating the silver.
Because the betrayal of Christ occurred on a Wednesday, the Orthodox Church has received the tradition from Apostolic times to observe Wednesday as a fast day throughout the entire year.
O Christ our God, Who was anointed with the noetic myrrh,have mercy on us and save us.Amen.
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