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<v SPEAKER_00>Monday of Holy Week always feels like the church slows everything down, and at the same time intensifies everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You're standing right at the edge of the passion, and the readings don't shout, they draw you in.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The first reading from the prophet Isaiah gives us that haunting image of the servant, a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smothering wick he shall not quench.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's not how we usually think power works.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Power in our world dominates, it crushes, it proves itself.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But here's God's power, gentle, patient, almost hidden.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He doesn't break the weak, he doesn't extinguish what is barely alive, he restores it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Then if we go to the gospel, it gives us a scene that feels almost out of place in Holy Week, intimate, quiet, deeply personal.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus is at the table in Bethany, Lazarus is there, living proof that death does not get the final word.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Martha's serving as she always does, and Mary well, Mary does something extravagant.

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<v SPEAKER_00>She takes a year's wage that it'll be gone in a moment, and pours it out at the feet of Jesus, pours it right on his feet.

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<v SPEAKER_00>No calculation, no restraint, just love.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And immediately Judas objects.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And let's be honest, his argument sounds reasonable.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Why not give it to the poor?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Sounds responsible, it sounds like good stewardship, it sounds even righteous.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But the gospel unmasks him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's not about the poor, it's about control.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's about the heart that has already begun to close in on itself.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's the tension of the gospel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Two ways of relating to Jesus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Mary gives everything, Judas calculates everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Mary wastes herself in love.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Judas reduces everything to utility.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Mary sees Jesus for who he is.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Judas sees only what he can get out of it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And here's where it hits us because this is isn't just about them, it's about us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You can be physically close to Jesus and still be far from him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Judas was at the table right there.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Judas heard the teaching.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Judas saw the miracles, and yet his heart was already drifting.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Mary, on the other hand, says nothing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>She doesn't preach, she doesn't argue, she just loves.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And that love fills the whole house.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The gospel says the house was filled with the fragrance.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Real love always does that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It changes the atmosphere.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It lingers.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Something real, something tangible.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Holy Week is asking something very simple but very uncomfortable.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Which one are you?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Or which one have you been lately?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Are you still measuring your generosity with God?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Still calculating how much is too much?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Still holding back, still trying to control every narrative?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Or are you ready to pour it all out?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because here's the truth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Jesus is about to pour himself out completely on the cross.

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<v SPEAKER_00>No calculations, no holding back, total give, total love.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The only response is, or the only real response to that kind of love, is to stop negotiating, stop trying to control everything, and give him everything.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Amen.