COLLECT: “GRANT, WE PRAY, ALMIGHTY GOD, THAT, THOUGH IN OUR WEAKNESS WE FAIL, WE MAY BE REVIVED THROUGH THE PASSION OF YOUR ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Is 42:1-7; Ps 26:1-3,13-14 and Jn 12:1-11
We reflect today on the portion of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah that talks about the Suffering Servant of God (Is 42:1-7). This is fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of God, who works wonders and miracles, including the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The second passage is from the Gospel of John (Jn 12:1-11), where Jesus visits Lazarus and his sisters. Mary lavishes costly perfume on Jesus, while Judas Iscariot takes offense at the so-called wastage. Jesus attracts a large crowd here and as usual, the Jewish chief priests are plotting to kill not only Jesus, but Lazarus as well, because his resurrection makes many Jews to turn away from the company of the chief priests to believe in Jesus and to follow him.
Sin leads to another sin and eventually to many more sins. The only way to stop this is by repentance, where the Holy Spirit is given to the penitent to change his/her heart and behaviour, life and actions. However, when the person is stubborn and his/her heart is hardened, God, through the Holy Spirit will not be able to make any change in the person’s behaviour, life and deeds.
Both the chief priests (Jewish religious leaders in general) and Judas Iscariot were stubborn and heart hardened and therefore, they sunk ever deeper into sin. From envy and jealousy, the religious leaders moved on to false accusations and lies, several times they plotted to kill Jesus, several attempts were made to either stone Jesus or to push him down from a high mountain and eventually they got the chance to crucify Jesus, thus from one sin to many more sins. Judas for his part had evil motives and intentions. He was a money-lover. However, we are told that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil’. From this, Judas started pilfering and stealing the money from the purse. He became a liar as he pretentiously reacted to and took offense at the so-called wastage of the oil Mary used to anoint Jesus. Judas sunk more into sin when he sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He went more into sin when he committed suicide.
We still have a few days to complete our season of Lent, a special season of ‘come back to God’ in repentance. Those of us who have not yet done anything about it should do something from now till Good Friday. Let us not be stubborn and heart hardened. Let us take note that God is full of gentleness, encouragement, merciful, justice and truth. Therefore, when we feel broken or bruised or burnt out in life because of sin, God will never step on us or toss us aside as useless ones, but he will gently pick us up. God loves us and wants us. Stay blessed as you start your working week today. Happy Holy Week.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, MONDAY, ON THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE ANNUNCIATION, THE VISITATION, THE BIRTH OF JESUS, THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE AND THE FINDING OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE’. (LET US PRAY FOR HUMILITY, LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR, POVERTY IN SPIRIT, OBEDIENCE AND JOY IN FINDING JESUS) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “VISIT YOUR PEOPLE, O LORD, WE PRAY, AND WITH EVER-WATCHFUL LOVE LOOK UPON THE HEARTS DEDICATED TO YOU BY MEANS OF THESE SACRED MYSTERIES, SO THAT UNDER YOUR PROTECTION WE MAY KEEP SAFE THIS REMEDY OF ETERNAL SALVATION, WHICH BY YOUR MERCY WE HAVE RECEIVED. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
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