Pope John Paul the Second ( The Peoples Pope)

When i learned about Pope John Paul II's beatification, I felt so happy and blessed that I was able to see him in person. So blessed to be a part of the World Youth Day here in Manila and in Rome, Italy. The youth, faith and love that I've learned will always remain and shared. Thank you Pope for being a God's instrument.

World Youth Day

Way back 1995, I'm a second year high school student when the  youth leader from our church invited me to be a  part of the World Youth Day 1995 here in Manila .With its theme " For God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life "- John 3:16. , my favorite verse. And also  the theme song Tell the world of His love, one of the best song  ever composed. The first time I saw Pope, his Pope mobile just passed by, cant remember if its along Espana or Dapitan street. There's a different feeling in me  when I saw him, I was  touched  and  moved, it's  seems that there's an angel flying throwing some of heaven's dust. Just  cant explain the feeling, just feel like crying , like tears of joy. Pope's mobile  is a  bullet proof  because  of the  incident that Pope was  shot. But instead of hating the man  who almost killed him, He still embrace  and forgive  him. I admire him for reaching out to all nations, for respecting all religions. He is  truly a  People's Pope. After  the  WYD 1995, I became  an active  member  of the  Lectors  and Commentators group and   Parish Youth Ministryl. Serving God through the ministry became my passion. I was  inspired because of the WYD. The youth of the world gathered with  one  reason,to become  a  pilgrim, to know  and share God's  love! Pope loves  the young people, he believes that the  world  must be entrusted  to the  youth  and  through the  WYD, different nations with one  God  will be united. 

5  years after the WyD in  Manila ,  I was given another chance to be a part of the WYD, this  time in  Rome with the theme “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). I was so blessed because it is the Jubilee Year. From the days  in the diocese  up to the  World Youth Day proper celebration, it was  all a meaningful a experience for me.Passing on the Jubilee door is  unforgettable, I  was lucky enough to be  a  part of the  animators where in we animate  the  Jubilee theme  song and we are on the same stage as Pope. He is just a  step away, I was  starstruck, I kept staring at him, I really want to  run  and hug him. I  remember his face, he is really old then but looks  like a child,has a holy  face. Of course I also remember his messages to the world especially to the youth.I remember when he said " Do not be afraid  to be a saint" , that we can all be  a  saint in our own ways. From then, I knew it, there's  really something about Pope, His holiness, now a Saint.

Here's  a link from the Vatican, you can see Pope John Paul II's autobiography,homilies, prayers and all his significant  events.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/index.htm

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Ioannes Paulus PP. II
Karol Wojtyla
16.X.1978 - 2.IV.2005
 

Beatification 1 May 2011

Holy Week Reflection : EASTER SUNDAY

Scripture: John 20:1-9  [alternate readings: Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12 and Luke 24:13-35]
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Mag'dalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken  away from the tomb. 2 So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3 Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; 5 and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Meditation:  On Sunday morning the women went to the tomb to pay their last tribute to a dead body. The disciples thought that everything had finished in tragedy.  Neither were ready to see an empty tomb and hear the angel's message,  Why do you seek the living among the dead (Luke 24:5)? Mary Magdalene is the first to report the startling news of the empty tomb! She assumed that Jesus' body had been stolen! She was not yet prepared to meet the risen Lord who would reveal himself to her while she later lingered in the garden near the tomb (John 20:11-18).

"Lord Jesus Christ, you have triumphed over the grave and you have won new life for us. Give me the eyes of faith to see you in your glory. Help me to draw near to you and to grow in the knowledge of your great love and victory over sin and death."

a Blessed Easter Sunday to everyone :)

Holy Week Reflection : BLACK SATURDAY

Gospel Reading: Luke 23:50-56  [for Easter Vigil see Matthew 28:1-10]
50 Now there was a man named Joseph from the Jewish town of Arimathe'a. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their purpose and deed, and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud, and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid; 56 then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Meditation: Jesus not only died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3); he also, by the grace of God, tasted death for every one (Hebrews 2:9). It was a real death that put an end to his earthly human existence. Jesus died in mid afternoon and the Sabbath began at 6:00 pm. Since the Jewish law permitted no work on the Sabbath, the body had to be buried quickly. Someone brave enough would have to get permission from the Roman authorities to take the body and bury it.  The bodies of executed criminals were usually left unburied as carion for the vultures and dogs. Jesus was spared this indignity through the gracious intervention of Joseph of Arimethea. Who was this admirer and secret disciple of Jesus? Luke tells us that Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council that condemned Jesus. We are told that he did not agree with their verdict. He was either absent from their meeting or silent when they tried Jesus. What kind of man was Joseph? Luke tells us that he was "good and righteous" and "looking for the kingdom of God". Although he did not stand up for Jesus at his trial, he nonetheless, sought to honor him in his death by giving him a proper burial. This was to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah had foretold: "He was cut off out of the land of the living ..and they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth" (Isaiah 53:8-9).
In the Book of Revelations, the Lord Jesus speaks: "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one: I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades"(Revelations 1:17-18). No tomb in the world could contain the Lord Jesus for long. His death on the cross purchased our redemption and his triumph over the grave on Easter morning defeated death. What preserved the Lord Jesus from corruption? He was kept from decay and he rose from the dead by divine power. "My flesh will dwell in hope. For you will not let your Holy One see corruption" (Psalm 16:9-10). The mystery of Christ's lying in the tomb on the sabbath reveals the great sabbath rest of God after the fulfillment of our salvation which brings peace to the whole world (Colossians. 1:18-20). Is your hope in this life only, or is it well founded in the resurrection of Christ and his promise that those who believe in him will live forever?
"Lord Jesus, you died that I might live forever in your kingdom of peace and righteousness. Strengthen my faith that I may I know the power of your resurrection and live in the hope of seeing you face to face for ever."

The Seven Last words

The First Word:
“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
(Luke 23:34)


Forgiveness. That 's what Jesus meant on His  first word.  Most  of us, find  it difficult to forgive  and to ask forgiveness. We always hear the  saying "forgive  and forget". But in reality we easily say the word forgive  but  we tend not  to forget. I should say that forgiveness is  not just  a word , we  should  always think of the times  that we did something wrong, the time we need to ask for forgiveness. what if they will not forgive or they will but  they will not forget. By simply putting our shoes in others we can understand the word forgiveness. Like Jesus, may we be  humble and  forgiving to others.


Prayer

Lord, May we live today as a forgiven person, opening my heart to you, choosing not to sin because the power of sin has been broken by your salvation.

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your matchless forgiveness! Amen.

The Second Word:
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)


Just realized how lucky  the  thief on the other cross was because he is now  in paradise with Jesus. The man is a total stranger to Jesus but he believes that He is the Son of God. There comes  Faith, when you believe in Him , it happens. Like in praying, sometimes  we think that theres unanswered prayers, but there's none because all our prayers are answered in the way that its best for us. In praying I always say "Let your will be done my Lord". There may be answers that at first  I cant  understand, but for sure at the end He is showing me the  answers. 
Paradise and Heaven...those are the names  of His dwelling place, and just like the man Jesus will take us there in our time, we just have to believe and keep our faith. But while we're still here on earth, our own homes can be a  paradise, just have to make Jesus the center of our lives and homes.


Prayer

O Lord, Today I live, trusting you and you alone. My life, but now and in the world to come, is in your hands. And so I pray:

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom! Jesus, remember me today as I seek to live within your kingdom! Amen.

The Third Word:
“Dear woman, here is your son.”
(John 19:26)

 To see her son, Jesus dying on the  cross, is a  very painful experience for Mary. The son that she loves so much  and her son that God  entrusted to her.  The death of a child is one of the most painful of all parental experiences. That any parents  doesn't want to experience. I admire Mary for her grace under pressure, She is  a mother who cried for His son but she accepted her Son's fate.As Jesus  uttered those words, its like saying that  He  is  her son  and  he embraced  his  fate because its God's will and He is not dying for nothing but to save  the  the people. And  he will always  be a  son to her that she can be proud of.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, the presence of your mother at the cross engages my heart. You are no longer only the Savior dying for the sins of the world. You are also a fully human man, a son with a mother.

O Lord, how can I begin to thank you for what you suffered? My words fall short. My thoughts seem superficial and vague. Nevertheless, I offer my sincere gratitude for your suffering. Thank you for bearing my sin on the cross. I give you my praise, my love, my heart . . . all that I am, because you have given me all that you are.

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, fully God and fully human, Savior of the world . . . my Savior! Amen.

The Fourth Word:
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
(Mark 15:34)

Jesus  express himself thru these words.Why had God abandoned him? Why did his Father turn his back on Jesus in his moment of greatest agony? Jesus  is also human , who wouldn't feel pain on all the physical pain and especially the emotional hurt got  from the  people. But Jesus  understands His sufferings, why He is  nailed to the cross. We are the reason that He gave His life, the reason why He suffered and died.That the Father abandoned the Son for our sake, for the salvation of the world. During Holy week, we  reviewed the Passion of Christ but we should always remember His salvation is for us. This is well explained in this verse John 3:16 ‎"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." It's unconditional love for us.

Prayer

Lord,we thank you for what you suffered. Thank you for taking my place. Thank you for being forsaken by the Father so that I might never be.Thank you for your unconditional and selfless love.

The Fifth Word:
“I am thirsty.”
(John 19:28)

Jesus is thirsty, They stuck a  sponge of soaked in wine  and  raised it to His lips.  Sad to think that when He is thirsty , he  was just given  a  drink on a sponge soaked, is that the drink He deserve for saving the world?  I know  its not about the  kind of  drink that we should reflect on  to these words but the message. We are all being thirsty  from time  to time  but after  drinking , we're all refreshed. Jesus said “I am thirsty,” not only as a statement of physical reality. For us , I believe we are all thirsty with His words, let's try  to give a time on reading  the  Bible verses and  will  feel refreshed and nourished. In modern world, we  can  always subscribe  on our email and other social networking sites the bible verses. 

Prayer

O Lord, once again I thank you for what you suffered on the cross. Besides extraordinary pain, you also experienced extreme thirst. All of this was part and parcel of your taking on our humanity so that you might take away our sin.

Dear Lord, in your words “I am thirsty” I hear the cry of my own heart. I too am thirsty, Lord, not for physical drink. I don’t need sour wine. Rather, I need the new wine of your kingdom to flood my soul. I need to be refreshed by your living water. I yearn for your Spirit to fill me once again.

I am thirsty, Lord, for you. Amen.

The Sixth Word:
“It is finished!”
(John 19:30)

When Jesus said “It is finished,” surely he was expressing relief that his suffering was over. “It is finished” meant, in part, “This is finally done!”  World Saved! It is a cry of Victory. again , We are the reason for  the Salvation. We must  be thankful everyday for what He  gave  us and  share  the  love. We must tell the  world of His greatest love. The sixth word means not the end but just the beginning of His greatest love. 

Prayer 

Lord thank you for the  gift of life  and salvation, thank you for the beginning. May we always share the greatest love you have given and taught us.

All praise be to you, gracious Lord, for finishing the work of salvation. All praise be to you, dear Jesus, for saving me! Alleluia! Amen.

The Seventh Word:
“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”
(Luke 23:46)

It was  now around midday, and darkness came over the whole land until mid afternoon with an eclipse of the  sun. Jesus said He was thirsty, they stuck a sponge soaked in wine to His lips and  said It's finished, and  He uttered  a loud cry and said "Father into your hands I commend my spirit".

Prayer

Gracious Lord, even as you once entrusted your spirit into the hands of the Father, so I give my life to you. I trust you, and you alone to be my Savior. I submit to your sovereignty over my life, and seek to live for your glory alone. Here I am, Lord, available to you, both now and in the future.

How good it is to know, dear Lord, that the cross was not the end for you. As you entrusted your spirit into the Father’s hands, you did so in anticipation of what was to come. So we reflect upon your death, not in despair, but in hope. With Good Friday behind us, Easter Sunday is on the horizon. Amen.

Holy Week Reflection: GOOD FRIDAY

Gospel Reading: John 19:17-30  ( for fuller passage see: John 18:1-19:42)
"So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.  Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews'.  Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.  The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, 'Do not write, The King of the Jews', but, 'This man said, I am King  of the Jews'.  Pilate answered, 'What I have written I have written'.  When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic.  But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be'.  this was to fulfill the scripture. "They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots".  So the soldiers did this.  But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!'  Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!'  And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.  After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the scripture), 'I thirst'.  A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth.  When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, 'It is finished'; and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit"
Meditation: The cross brings us face to face with Jesus' suffering. He was alone – all his disciples had deserted him except for his mother and three women along with John, the beloved disciple. And his death was agonizing and humiliating. Normally a crucified man could last for several days on a cross. Jesus' had already been scourged, beaten with rods, and a crown of thorns pressed into his skull. It is no wonder that he died mid-afternoon. Pilate publicly heralded Jesus  "The King of the Jews" as he died upon the cross, no doubt to irritate and annoy the chief priests and Pharisees.
Jesus was crucified for his claim to be King. The Jews had understood that the Messiah would come as king to establish God's reign for them. They wanted a king who would free them from tyranny and foreign domination. Many had high hopes that Jesus would be the Messianic king. Little did they understand what kind of kingship Jesus claimed to have. Jesus came to conquer hearts and souls for an imperishable kingdom, rather than to conquer perishable lands and entitlements. We can find no greater proof of God's love for us than the willing sacrifice of his Son on the cross. Jesus' parting words, “It is finished!" express triumph rather than defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife was now over and the battle was won. Even on the cross Jesus knew the joy of victory. What the Father sent him into the world to do has now been accomplished. Christ offered himself without blemish to God and he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (see Hebrews 9:24-26).


"Lord Jesus Christ, by your death on the cross you have won pardon for us and freedom from the tyranny of sin and death. May I live in the joy and freedom of your victory over sin and death."

Holy Week Reflection : HOLY THURSDAY

Gospel Reading: John 13:1-15
1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. 5 Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. 6 He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand." 8 Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me." 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "You are not all clean." 12 When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 "This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household; 4 and if the household is too small for a lamb, then a man and his neighbor next to his house shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old; you shall take it from the sheep or from the goats; 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening. 7 Then they shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste.  It is the LORD's passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 14 "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever.
Meditation: Does your love waver when you encounter bitter disappointments and injury from others? As Jesus' hour of humiliation draws near he reveals to his disciples the supreme humility which shaped the love he had for them. He stoops to perform a menial task reserved for servants – the washing of smelly, dirty feet. In stooping to serve his disciples Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of them and that the rest would abandon him through disloyalty. Such knowledge could have easily led to bitterness or hatred. Jesus met the injury of betrayal and disloyalty with the greatest humility and supreme love. Jesus loved his disciples to the very end, even when they failed him and forsook him. The Lord loves each of us unconditionally. His love has power to set us free to serve others with Christ-like compassion and humility. Does the love of Christ rule in your heart, thoughts, intentions and actions?
Saint Augustine in his sermon for this day, wrote: “He had the power of laying down his life; we by contrast cannot choose the length of our lives, and we die even if it is against our will. He, by dying, destroyed death in himself; we are freed from death only in his death. His body did not see corruption; our body will see corruption and only then be clothed through him in incorruption at the end of the world. He needed no help from us in saving us; without him we can do nothing. He gave himself to us as the vine to the branches; apart from him we cannot have life. Finally, even if brothers die for brothers, yet no martyr by shedding his blood brings forgiveness for the sins of his brothers, as Christ brought forgiveness to us. In this he gave us, not an example to imitate but a reason for rejoicing. Inasmuch, then, as they shed their blood for their brothers, the martyrs provided “the same kind of meal” as they had received at the Lord’s table.   Let us then love one another as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us.”
"Lord Jesus, your love conquers all and never fails. Help me to love others freely, with heart-felt compassion , kindness and goodness. Where there is injury, may I sow peace rather than strife."

Holy Week Reflection : HOLY WEDNESDAY

Gospel Reading: John 13:21-38
21 When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; 24 so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." 25 So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor.30 So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.  31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; 32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.' 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." 36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward." 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
1 Listen to me, O coastlands, and hearken, you peoples from afar.  The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me;  he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." 4 But I said, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;  yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God." 5 And now the LORD says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength -- 6 he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel;  I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Meditation: Jesus' disciples were put to the test as Jesus prepared to make the final and ultimate sacrifice of his own life for their sake and for all the world. What was different between Peter and Judas? Judas deliberately betrayed his Master while Peter, in a moment of weakness, denied him with an oath and a curse. Judas' act was cold and calculated. Peter, however, never meant to do what he did. He acted impulsively, out of weakness and cowardice. Jesus knew both the strength of Peter's loyalty and the weakness of his resolution. He had a habit of speaking with his heart without thinking through the implications of what he was saying. The treachery of Judas, however, is seen at its worst when Jesus makes his appeal by showing special affection to him at his last supper. John says that Satan entered into Judas when he rejected Jesus and left to pursue his evil course. Satan can twist love and turn it into hate. He can turn holiness into pride, discipline into cruelty, affection into complacency. We must be on our guard lest Satan turn us from the love of God and the path which God has chosen for us. The Holy Spirit will give us grace and strength in our time of testing. If we submit to Jesus we will walk in the light of his truth and love. If we turn our backs on him we will stumble and fall in the ways of sin and darkness. Are you ready to follow Jesus in his way of the cross?
"Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.  Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord."  (Prayer of Thomas Aquinas)

Holy Week Reflection : HOLY TUESDAY

The Servant of the LORD

Isaiah 49:1-6

1 Listen to me, you islands;

hear this, you distant nations:

Before I was born the LORD called me;

from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.

2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,

in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me into a polished arrow

and concealed me in his quiver.

3 He said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”

4 But I said, “I have labored in vain;

I have spent my strength for nothing at all.

Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand,

and my reward is with my God.”

5 And now the LORD says—

he who formed me in the womb to be his servant

to bring Jacob back to him

and gather Israel to himself,

for I am[a] honored in the eyes of the LORD

and my God has been my strength—

6 he says:

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant

to restore the tribes of Jacob

and bring back those of Israel I have kept.

I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,

that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

John 13: 21 - 33, 36 - 38

21 When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."

22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.

23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus;

24 so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks."

25 So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?"

26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

27 Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly."

28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him.

29 Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor.

30 So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified;

32 if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.'

36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward."

37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.

Holy Week Reflection : HOLY MONDAY

On Holy Monday, the stories about Jesus cursing the barren fig tree and the driving out of vendors of temple are reflected on.



On the morning after the Triumphal Entry, Jesus and the disciples return to Jerusalem. On the way, Jesus sees a fig tree some distance from the road. Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves.Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.. The fig tree withers, but the disciples have passed the tree and don't yet notice that it withered.

Jesus and the disciples return to Bethany in the evening; likely it's too dark to see the tree. The next morning, they return to Jerusalem along the same road. As they near the fig tree, Peter points it out, and he and the disciples express amazement that it's already withered. 

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." 

Jesus Drives the Vendors out of the Temple

Matt 21:12-13

12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.

13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'"