Why is Mary's anointing of Jesus considered a beautiful work?

Mary's act is described by Jesus as a 'good work' because it stemmed from pure motives of love and gratitude toward Him. Unlike the criticism of the disciples, who saw it as wasteful, Mary understood the significance of Jesus' impending death and resurrection. Her action was a response of love, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God, and demonstrated an intrinsic understanding of the redemptive work He was about to accomplish. This signifies that true works for Christ are those done out of a desire to honor Him, rather than for personal gain or recognition.