The Significance of Holy Wednesday
By michelle | April 15, 2009
Since Eastern Easter/Pascha isn’t until this coming Sunday, I will be posting on Holy Week for the next several days. I hope you enjoy these posts as we, in the Orthodox Church, prepare for the celebration of the coming of Christ.
On Great and Holy Wednesday, we are reminded of the sinful woman who poured precious ointment on Christ’s head at Simon the leper’s house (Matthew. 26:7).
The disciples complained about the wasteful extravagance, for the myrrh could have been sold and the money given to the poor. On this same day Judas agreed to betray the Lord for thirty pieces of silver. But the Savior declared that the woman’s actions would be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached (Mt. 26:13), for she had anointed Him in preparation for His burial (Mt. 26:12).
The woman who annointed Jesus’ feet, a sinful woman who is saved, is contrasted to Judas, a chosen apostle who is lost. One gives her wealth to Christ and kisses his feet while the other betrays Christ for money with a kiss.
1 Comment
lauren s. on April 15, 2009 at 4:56 pm.
i have always loved that reading. have a blessed holy week and a joyous pascha!