COLLECT: “O GOD, WHO WILLED YOUR SON TO SUBMIT FOR OUR SAKE TO THE YOKE OF THE CROSS, SO THAT YOU MIGHT DRIVE FROM US THE POWER OF THE ENEMY, GRANT US, YOUR SERVANTS, TO ATTAIN THE GRACE OF THE RESURRECTION. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”
Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34 and Mt 26:14-25.
The scripture passages we meditate on today are (a) Is 50:5-9, in which the Prophet Isaiah in an oracle speaks about the ‘Obedient Servant of the Lord’, who does not shield his face from buffets and spitting. This oracle is fulfilled in Jesus the Son of God, and (b) Mt 26:14-25. In this passage, the hour of Jesus’ suffering is approaching and Jesus announces to the Twelve, “One of you will betray me”. Shock waves hit the group. Each asks tremulously if he is the one. Only one knows with certainty that it is surely himself.
What was the actual reason for Judas to betray his Master? Was it because he was greedy, or because he hated Jesus or because he did not see what he expected Jesus to do in the world and therefore he became disappointed and thus, had to betray Jesus? Did Judas actually wish or desire to betray Jesus? What about when he later came back in sadness with the money they paid him to betray Jesus, wanting to return it and when they refused to collect it back he threw it on the ground and went and committed suicide?
Whatever the reason might be, Judas betrayed the eternal Truth (“I am the Truth” Cf. Jn 14). He denied the goodness of Life and the Way. In our generation, we continue to have “Judaha”. Those of us who want to get rid of the truth, kill goodness and justice in the world, are the Judases of our time. When we betray others for personal gains and because we are greedy and selfish, we are worse than Judas. When we are tempted at any time to use God for our own purposes, or when we think that God must change or do things according to our needs, desires and wishes, whenever we want God to let his plan fit into our plans, we are simply demonstrating or manifesting the ‘Judas attitude’ in us. Judas had his own opinion about Jesus, and he wanted Jesus to do things according to his own desires and mind. Judas did not understand this and therefore he was disappointed, which led himhe had to betray Jesus. Has there been any time I am disappointed in God because what I want from him is not forthcoming?
Let us pray that the Lord, who suffered, yet obediently carried out the Father’s Will to the point of death on the cross, may forgive us for those moments we behave like Judas. May he transform us into his useful instruments and servants in the world.
NOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, most Dioceses in the Catholic world will celebrate CHRISM MASS. In the Diocese of Wa, we shall have it in the St. Andrew Cathedral, Wa. It is usually and normally during this Mass that the Bishop will bless and consecrate the three types of Oils we use in the Church:
- Oil of Catechumen, which we use in anointing those preparing for Baptism.
- Oil of the Sick, which is used in anointing the sick and the aged.
Oil of Chrism, which is consecrated and used at Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination and Consecration of Priests and Bishops as well as the coronation of Kings and Chiefs).
Another very important thing that takes place during the Chrism Mass is the ‘RENEWAL OF COMMITMENT TO PRIESTLY SERVICE’. After the blessing of the Oils, the Bishop invites all the Priests present to renew their priestly promises publicly. Also, continue to pray for your Priests as we renew our priestly vows and promises in the Chrism Mass. Stay blessed and have a good day.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, WEDNESDAY, ON THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES: ‘THE RESURRECTION, THE ASCENSION, THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE ASSUMPTION, AND THE CORONATION’. (WE PRAY FOR FAITH, HOPE, LOVE OF GOD, GRACE OF A HAPPY DEATH AND TRUST IN MARY’S INTERCESSION) “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 at the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “ENDOW US, ALMIGHTY GOD, WITH THE FIRM CONVICTION THAT THROUGH YOUR SON,S DEATH IN TIME, TO WHICH THE REVERED MYSTERIES BEAR WITNESS, WE MAY BE ASSURED OF PERPETUAL LIFE. 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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