Let your fragrance do the talking

John 12:1-11

Make Our Daily Gospel Reading

Like it and share it!

Fr.

Jhack Diaz rounds of arbitration hearings. The three players selected for this year’s competition were Arizona Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse, Edmonton Oilers forward Kailer Yamamoto and Anaheim Ducks forward Isac Lundeström. TRU’s team represented the team side for the Arizona Coyotes regarding Lawson Crouse and the NHL Players Association for Kailer Yamamoto and Isac Lundeström. Teams then exchanged briefs and prepared oral arguments for a hearing in front of experienced arbitrators.

There are three points that I would like to share. First, the poor are the most generous people in the world. Nobody can beat the generosity of the poor because they give not the surpluses but the very best. They will offer their best and the “first class” of what they have. They are willing to give everything they have to serve their guests. “Mary took a litre of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair.” Judas sees this as a waste, Jesus sees it as love. Friends, when we give our everything to Jesus, it will not be wasted because everything belongs to Jesus.

Team TRU received valuable feedback from an experienced panel of arbitrators and judges in the sports industry. Notable arbitrators at the competition included Brandon Pridham (assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs), Amir Torabi (director of legal and business affairs and legal counsel for the Toronto Blue Jays), Rand Simon (NHLPA certified agent), and numerous partners at national law firms in downtown Toronto.

Throughout the competition, the arbitrators recognized the strength of TRU’s written submissions and excellence in oral advocacy. The HACC provided the opportunity to gain insight into NHL salary arbitration, sport and entertainment law, and the chance to meet professionals working in the NHL industry.

Second, I was deeply moved by this line in the gospel “The house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” We need to have an experience of brokenness to let the smell of fragrance flows. We need to break ourselves before God so that in our brokenness God’s mercy and blessings will overflow. When we imitate Mary’s generosity and passionate love to Jesus the whole world will always remember the kindness we have done. When we have a genuine heart for the needy our kindness will never be forgotten. Even if you choose to give anonymously, your kindness will develop its own wings to remind the world to spread your splendid example. Acts of kindness is like a perfume that people can smell. Charity and goodness are like a perfume. Let your fragrance do the talking.

Finally, let us be careful of the attitude of too much attachment to money. Friends, money is a horrible master. Never be a slave to money. Rather, be the master of your money. Judas was a very materialistic person. The gospel tells us that Judas was only after the money, not the poor. Friends, be watchful of people who are more interested in getting money for themselves than sharing it with those in need. The secret to a wealthy life is to love the poor. Like Jesus, let us empty ourselves to fill the needs of the less fortunate. Brethren, use money to help people. Avoid using people to earn more money.

Blessings, Fr. Jhack