The Cost of Pure Worship
Holy Week invites us into the most intimate moments of Jesus’ earthly ministry, asking us not just to observe—but to reflect, feel, and respond. On Monday of Holy Week, the Gospel reading centers on a woman who pours a jar of very expensive ointment over Jesus. Scripture tells us the ointment was worth nearly a year’s wages, underscoring the magnitude of her sacrifice.
During guided imaginative prayer guided by a devotional priest, I was invited to step into the scene—to see it unfold and notice my own reactions. Knowing the meaning of her actions through hindsight, I felt joy imagining the moment. Strangely, my first instinct was practical: grab a napkin so the oil doesn’t run into His eyes. Whether that was necessary or not, it drew me deeper into the humanity of the scene.
But the heart of this moment lies in something far more challenging: the cost of her worship.
“Who Is She?” — When Identity Doesn’t Matter, Only Love
At one point in the prayer, the question was asked: “You see the woman walk in—what do you think?”
Honestly, my first thought was: Who is she?
The Gospel never tells us her name. No background. No explanation. If we were sitting at a table and a stranger walked in and did this, we’d certainly want to know more about her. Yet Scripture is silent, which reveals something profound: who she was didn’t matter—only what she did.
Her anonymity highlights the purity of the act. This was not about recognition or legacy. It was about worship.
The Hidden Cost: Reputation, Judgment, and Criticism
Beyond the financial cost, this act carried a severe reputational risk. If the woman possessed such an expensive ointment, she may have been wealthy or connected to someone influential. If so, her actions didn’t just affect her—they also impacted her family, her husband, and her social standing.
Yet she walked in anyway.
She allowed herself to be seen, judged, misunderstood, and criticized. She chose love over approval. Reverence over reputation. My priest describes this moment as “an act of pure worship.” And that phrase has echoed in my heart.
What Is the Cost of Worship in My Own Life?
This Gospel doesn’t remain comfortably in the past. It presses forward and asks a deep personal question:
What reputational cost am I willing to pay for worship?
I wrestle with this honestly. Sometimes I don’t care what others think. Other times I hesitate, wondering:
- Is this worth it?
- Do people think I’m too fanatical?
- Should I be more discreet?
I recognize that many of these doubts are likely temptations meant to slow spiritual growth. Even knowing that, they still affect me. They can hinder progress and create hesitation. I sometimes tell myself that if my circumstances were different, I’d move forward faster—but the truth is, there will always be something testing resolve.
The cost is unavoidable. The only question is whether I face it with confidence and determination.
Jesus’ Example: Confidence, Determination, and a Fixed Mission
When reading about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, he is —confident, resolute, and unwavering. His eyes were fixed on the Father’s mission: the salvation of souls. He was not distracted by public opinion. He was not deterred by mockery, misunderstanding, or the horrors He knew awaited Him.
As the priest said so aptly: “We have fickle hearts.” One moment we are all in, the next we’re swayed by fear, comfort, or opinion.
Jesus never wavered.
Consider, in your own life, where you waver. Do you face problems with confidence and determination as Jesus did as he entered Jerusalem?
A Prayer for Steadfastness During Holy Week
Jesus,
You rode confidently and determinately into Jerusalem to save my soul and the souls of all Your children.
You were not swayed by fear, reputation, or accusation.
You never faltered, even knowing the suffering that awaited You.
Lord, grant me the grace to be steadfast as You were.
Help me overcome the temptations of reputation and perceived cost.
Give me the courage to worship freely, love boldly, and serve You wholeheartedly.
Amen.
Devotion in Motion 
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