Holy Week is introduced with a reading from Second Isaiah in which we have the first of the Songs of the Suffering Servant. At this time the writer, "Second Isaiah", lived in exile in Babylon. Cyrus the Persian was growing in power and was about to conquer Babylon. This came at a time when many of the exiles in Babylon were growing tired of captivity and felt deserted by Yahweh. Second Isaiah had a message of hope and encouragement for them. He saw Yahweh as a merciful God ready to pardon His wayward people.

This hope is seen in a prophetic way in the Gospel Reading from John (12:1-11). Mary of Bethany is the one who plays the prophet in her action of anointing Jesus' feet with expensive ointment and proclaims the mercy of God. She thus gives, unconsciously, a preview of His burial revealing and emphasising His dignity and glory in death and burial by her action of deep, loving faith. The aroma of the ointment's perfume spreads through the room, similarly the message of her act spreads to all. Its prophetic meaning is not lost and indeed is reinforced by Jesus' own words (v.v. 7, 8): "She had to keep this perfume for the day of my burial ... you will not always have me." Mary's testimony of faith is contrasted with the unbelief of Judas who cannot see the forest for the trees and who eventually topples into betrayal because of his greed for money and lack of recognition of God hidden in their midst.