Jn 12:1-11
Mary: The one who anoints Jesus’ feet is Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. All three are friends of Jesus.
In the gospel, the anointing expresses Mary’s loving gesture for the Master who has restored her brother Lazarus to life. The fragrance of the ointment signifies the abundance of affection. Contrast is made of a stench that came from the tomb of the dead Lazarus, as exposed by Martha (Jn 11:39), with the fragrance of life that Mary gives out of gratitude for the resuscitation of her brother.
Another contrast is made with the objection of Judas that the wasteful spending on the precious ointment has no place in the ministry of Jesus. But Judas is a thief and has helped himself from the money bag he is supposed to administer. This juxtaposing of Mary’s abundant generosity, reflecting her great love, with the hypocritical objection of Judas reveals that a woman—not a chosen disciple—has understood the significance of Jesus.