Who is the Lord's servant? The one who is gentle, compassionate, and merciful. He is not violent; he does not cause dissention and division; he does not destroy. God delights in such a person. The description from Prophet Isaiah was applied by the early Church to Jesus, but it also describes what we can become. That is the calling of everyone who claims to believe in and follow Jesus Christ. Make no mistake - there are no shortcuts to God. Technologies can do all sorts of tricks with our facial features and shapes, but inwardly it cannot do tricks on our compassion and patience.

Jesus schooled His disciples on compassion in the drama of anointing by a woman. He did not dismiss the woman and taught everyone not to judge quickly. Judas represents those who will always attempt to criticize and destroy the good that others do. Judas prejudged Mary of Bethany anointing the feet of Jesus through the lens of his fake concern of the poor, his own lack of mercy, and honesty. He condemned her for spending the money - it was expensive - and insisted that the money should have been given to the poor. Jesus knew he did not care about the poor at all. Mary was the only one anointing Jesus for His burial and comforting Him as He faced His Passion. Yes, we always have the poor with us - and we should treat them in the same way, for as we treat them, we also treat Jesus.