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Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Meditation
Matthew 26:14-25

The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. (Matthew 26:23)

What a cryptic saying! Was Jesus really trying to reveal the identity of his betrayer? Or was he simply suggesting that all the apostles would betray him in some way or another? After all, each of them had dipped his hand into the bowl with Jesus at some point during the meal. It was only as Judas spoke up that he was singled out.

Like the twelve, each of us “dips into the bowl” with Jesus whenever we eat his body and drink his blood. Again, like the twelve, each of us has betrayed the Lord in some way at one time or another in our lives. And the chances are that we’ll do it again. Why? Because it’s part of our fallen nature.

This can sound so depressing, but there is good news: We are also forgiven. Whether we have committed great sins or small ones, it doesn’t matter. The Pharisees—who were trying hard but had become inflexible—needed forgiveness just as much as the prostitutes and tax collectors—who were notorious sinners. And so do we. Whether we have committed murder or are simply harboring a grudge against someone, we all need Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to set us free.

What hope we can have—not just for ourselves but also for one another! Every one of us who comes to the table is a forgiven sinner. The next time you are at Mass, take a look around at your brothers and sisters in Christ and recognize them as your family. You are all “dipping into the bowl” with Jesus. Thank the Lord that you are also all covered by his mercy and love.

May this realization bring us to unity with each other. Jesus’ greatest desire is that we would all be one as he and the Father are one. Let’s ask him today to teach us to be merciful as he is merciful, so that this deep longing of his might be fulfilled!

“Thank you, Lord, for your sacrifice on the cross. Please make us one in you, as you and the Father are one. Give us true humility and compassion for one another as we strive together to live for you.”

Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34

One Bread, One Body

<< Wednesday, April 12, 2006 >>

Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9

Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34

Matthew 26:14-25

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GORY GLORY DETAILS

"For Your sake I bear insult, and shame covers My face." —Psalm 69:8

Since the apostles ran away at the time of Jesus' crucifixion and those few who stayed would probably not want to talk about the gory details of Jesus' passion and death, the Gospel writers may not have known or did not want to express many of the details of Jesus' sufferings. However, some details of His sufferings have been revealed in prophecy and psalms, especially by Isaiah. When we see a crucifix, we always see the front of Jesus. However, Isaiah reveals the condition of His back in addition to His beard and face. The Messiah says: "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" (Is 50:6).

Jesus' back must have been bruised, almost shredded. Handfuls of hair were pulled out of His bloody beard. His face was beaten almost past recognition as a human being, with spit, blood, and dirt pasted on it, "so marred was His look beyond that of man, and His appearance beyond that of mortals" (Is 52:14). His heart was broken. He "looked for sympathy, but there was none; for comforters" (Ps 69:21) but found none. Rather, they put gall in His food and in His thirst they gave Him vinegar to drink (Ps 69:22). He suffered mercilessly to give us mercy. He suffered because He loves us. These details of His sufferings even more clearly manifest His love for us.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You...

Promise: "My appointed time draws near. I am to celebrate the Passover with My disciples in your house." —Mt 26:18

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who suffered untold miseries and pain for our sake.