Praying through Holy Week 2020 with our 5 senses

These Holy Week reflections were prepared by the St Beuno's retreat house in Wales.and adapted by me.The pictures are by Arcabas and because of uncertainty over copyright they are not reproduced here but can be found at

https://www.pathwaystogod.org/resources/praying-holy-week-senses ,

BIBLE READING - MARK 14 V 3-9

While Jesus was Bethany, reclining at the table of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume over his head. Some of those prersent were saying indignantly to one another, Why this waste of  perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year' wage and the money given to the poor. And they rebuked her harshly. 'Leave her alone', said Jesus. 'Why are you bothering her ? She has done a  beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you and you can help them anytime you want. but you will not always have me. She did what she coul.  She poured perfume over my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the Gospel is preached throughout  the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. 

You can sense the indignation of the guests when their meal was interrupted  by the intrusion of this woman  who proceeded to pour perfume over Jesus' head. The scent would have filled the room and Jesus quickly changes the conversation towards the impending crucifixion.Holy Week this year is different from any we have experienced in the past. Death is not subject we can avoid as we learn daily of

more and more victims of the virus. The Queen's heartfelt message yesterday was welcome and yet it was delivered as

many people we're returning from s day out,  ignoring the urgent pleas to stay at home.  May this week bring us news that we are turning the corner and can begin to look ahead to a return to normality.