Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁴ though I have whereof I might be confident in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has reason to trust in the flesh, I have much more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the kindred of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of the Hebrews; as concerning the law, a Pharisee, ⁶ and as concerning zeal, I persecuted the congregation. And as for the righteousness that is in the law, I was unrebukable.

⁷ But the things that were of advantage to me, I counted worthless for Christ’s sake. ⁸ Yea, I think all things worthless for the sake of the supreme and precious knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For him I have counted all things a waste, and do judge them but dung, so that I may win Christ, ⁹ and may be found in him – not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith that is in Christ. I mean the righteousness which comes from God through faith, ¹⁰ in knowing him, and the power of the resurrection, and the fellowship of his passions, so that I may be conformable to his death, ¹¹ if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.

¹² It is not as if I had already attained to it, or were already perfect. But I press on, if so be that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me. ¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself as having gotten it. But one thing I say: I forget that which is behind and reach for that which is ahead, ¹⁴ and press on to that mark appointed, to obtain the reward of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Mary anoints Christ’s feet. Judas murmurs. Christ defends her, and rides into Jerusalem.

12 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, and whom Jesus raised from death. ² There they made him a supper, and Martha served. Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. ³ Then Mary took a pound of oyntment called nard, perfect and precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oyntment.

⁴ Then one of his disciples, named Judas Iscariot (Simon’s son, who afterward betrayed him), said, ⁵ Why was this oyntment not sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor? ⁶ He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and kept the bag, and carried that which was given. ⁷ Then Jesus said, Let her alone. She kept it for the day of my burial. ⁸ The poor you will always have with you, but me you will not always have.