Monday of Holy Week

Mass begins with fighting words in the Entrance Antiphon: "Contend, O Lord, with my contenders; fight those who fight me." In the reading, we hear another excerpt from Isaiah's suffering servant discourse: ""he shall bring forth justice to the nations." The Psalm is hopeful, early in Holy Week: "The Lord is my light and my salvation." In the Gospel, Mary of Bethany pours costly oil over Our Lord, and weeping with remorse for her sins, wipes His feet with her hair. Jesus speaks of her great love which merits great mercy.