Wednesday of Holy Week--The Holy Face

Today's first reading from Isaiah shows Christ's willingness to suffer for our sake.

I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
My face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The responsorial psalm goes further:

For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
because zeal for your house consumes me,
Rather they put gall in my food,
and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

The line "zeal for your house consumes me" has always touched me, especially in relation to being an "outcast to my mother's sons."  There will be times, especially now, when being a Christian will put you in direct opposition to those around you; when longing to be in the Presence of God in His house, will make you a laughing stock.  Remember that Jesus walked that road for us and before us. Our consolation *is* being in the Presence.

As always in the psalms, though, it ends praising God.

I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.

Hang onto this hope. God will be praised.

Tuesday of Holy Week--Do Not Despair

In today's gospel, Jesus predicts the betrayal of both Judas and Peter.  The stories are parallel but differ in important points.  Judas betrays Christ and later despairs while Peter repents.  Judas does not think that God is great enough, or merciful enough to forgive him.  Peter, on the other hand, weeps for his sins, but repents and goes on to lead the Apostles and the new Church.

We see these differences symbolically in this painting by Andrea del Castagno (1423-1457)Judas is shown in dark garments sitting across the table from Jesus.  Peter, shown as the traditional wise old(er) man and future pope, sits on Jesus' right hand and John the Beloved Disciple sits on his left.

As long as we stay with Christ, we will be saved.

Let us fight against despair and always remember God's mercy is for us individually.

Monday of Holy Week--Take Courage

Today's gospel reading is the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church tells us that in this story, Jesus is shown as both God and man.  His divinity is shown by his raising Lazarus from the dead and his humanity by his weeping at the death of his friend.

The raising of Lazarus gives us hope in some very real ways.  Lazarus was a human.  Lazarus, doubtless, sinned.  But Jesus nevertheless, raised him from the dead and Jesus, our God, wept for him.

Today's psalm (27) tells us to "wait for the Lord with courage.  Be stouthearted and wait for the Lord."

Hat tip to Vivificat for the link.

Suffering with Christ

The psalm for yesterday's Mass was taken from Psalm 69.

For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons,because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.

Obviously, we see this psalm as pertaining to the shame and humiliation Jesus suffered while on this earth.

But the last 2 lines jumped out at me while at Mass last night.

Does "zeal for the house of the Lord" consume us? Do we hunger for the Jesus in the Eucharist?

When someone blasphemes Christ, do those insults "fall on us"? When someone insults God, do we feel it? Do we hurt? Do we flinch in pain when we watch or hear something in the media that makes fun of Christ, His Church, or His values?

Do we ever consider making reparations for all the times when Christ is insulted and ignored?

The late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II asked the faithful for reparation in his letter, “Mane Nobiscum Domine” or “Stay with us, Lord”.

Eucharistic adoration outside Mass should become a particular commitment for individual parish and religious communities. Let us take the time to kneel before Jesus present in the Eucharist, in order to make reparation by our faith and love for the acts of carelessness and neglect, and even the insults which our Saviour must endure.

There is a lot going on during Holy Week. Many Masses and services, which many find difficult to attend. What better time, and in what better way is there to offer our sufferings with our Crucified Lord?