I have slacked off this week. Here are the meditations for Holy Week.
Holy Monday, March 17
Lessons for the Day: Isaiah 42:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11
The three readings for today, taken together, make an extraordinary, connected line from the presage of Jesus in Isaiah, predicting God's 'chosen one', 'a light to the nations', 'new things not yet come'. In John, Jesus has not only come but fulfilled the prediction, becoming a light to many. He is in the house of Lazarus whom he raised from the dead. But here one sees the divisions among those who hear his word. Mary is anointing Jesus feet with expensive ointment. Judas asks why the money it cost wasn't given to the poor. And we hear of all those who come to hear Jesus because he raised the dead (not for his Word of Love). Finally, the letter to the Hebrews first speaks of Jesus as ' The High Priest of the good things that have come'. Then his death is defined as the perfect sacrifice to redeem mankind from all transgressions.
Looking at all three together I see the prophecy revealed but also the hostility to the new message; taught in parables, shown in miracles, based not on the law but on unconditional love. Since it did not change every life, it was for those whose life it DID change to carry it on. Many of the early saints sacrificed their lives to spread the Good News of Jesus. St. Patrick who we honor today spent his life traveling and spreading the word of Christ. The lives of the saints and their words give amazing testimony to the lengths of sacrifice they endured gladly for their Lord.
We may be far weaker vessels, but, in these disquieting times, it is for us by our actions, our personal choices and our love of one another to spread the Jesus' message of Peace and to be the Light of Jesus' Love in the world. I'm constantly reminded of
the song many of us know and used to shout out - ' This Little Light of Mine, I'm going to Let it Shine'. Its not only immensely cheering, but, really, its the whole point and message.
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Holy Tuesday: March 18
Lessons: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36
From Isaiah – The Lord called me from the womb…
From 1 Corinthians – God chose what is foolish in the world [and] God chose what is weak in the world…
From John – Shall I say ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, for this purpose I have come to this hour.
Meditation
Doesn’t it seem we all have a calling? Whether it is listening, working tirelessly, or sharing song, healing, wisdom, leadership, good food, or simple affection. When we examine ourselves closely, we all do have unique gifts. Lent seems a good season to reflect on why the Lord called each one of us from the womb.
These callings need not be magnificent - God chooses from among the foolish and weak - but rest assured that we are called.
But how do we respond to our calls?
Often I respond: Father, save me from this hour!
But that is not the best response, because it is for these purposes that we were called.
Amen
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Holy Wednesday: March 19
Lessons for the Day: Isaiah 50z;4-9; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 13:21-32
This passage deals with the disciples at the Last
Supper finding out that one of them was going to
betray Jesus and them wanting to find out who it was.
I could imagine how they felt - physically - when they
heard this information. I imagine they had a true
pain in their guts because of the way they felt toward
Jesus. Certainly an uneasy feeling and maybe a
generally nervous-shaking body. The way one feels
when you know or think something awful is going to
happen to you or a loved one. The way you feel when
you just avoided an accident on the highway - a
tension that occurs then slowly goes away when you
realize that you are safe. It makes me wonder how
they could have even eaten under those conditions.
I'd like to finish with the next words Jesus will
say as written by Tim Rice in Andrew Lloyd Weber's
"Jesus Christ Superstar" "For all you care, this
bread could be my body. For all you care, this wine
could be my blood. The end. This is my blood you
drink, this is my body you eat. If you will, remember
me when you eat and drink."
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