Today is Monday, a day I affectionately love to begrudge and use as an excuse to drink too much coffee. But today is not any Monday, it’s Monday of Holy Week. .

In today’s Gospel, people ridicule the woman for pouring expensive oil over Jesus’ feet, rather than giving it to the poor. Jesus responds by saying, “Leave her alone.Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” .

This morning, as I stepped over a pile of dirty laundry(promising myself that I would do it *today*) I paused before this painting and prayer (that I got in Assisi, Italy) which hang next to my door, right above my light switch. I put it there with the the idea that it would cause me to look at them every time I wake up and every night before I go to bed; serving as a reminder to say “yes” to God like Mary and to sow peace like St. Francis. But so often I rush on by them, without a second thought, ready to tackle the things of the day. .

There will always be a to do list full of things like laundry, dishes, emails to respond to. But we do not always have this Holy Week. Next year you will enter into Holy Week a different person, there will be different circumstances surrounding your life, it will be a new season. .

So be with Jesus today, in this moment, just as you are. Enter into this week with everything you have.