Today, we hear the bad news of the betrayal of Judas, together with the sad yet joyous good news of Jesus’ Passover meal with his disciples. “My time is near. I will keep the Passover with my disciples.” Jesus will eat the Passover meal surrounded by those who have followed him. The traitor leaves them […]
Today’s Gospel presents three persons to us: The first is a man preoccupied with himself, his own interests and needs, his selfish satisfaction. He is not a free person; he is not open to Christ, for he serves money and greed. He will betray Jesus. This man is Judas. Then, there is a second man,
Holy Week is for us the time when we meditate on the saving death of our Lord. The days of his suffering are approaching. The first reading gives us the first of the famous songs about the Servant of Yahweh. The liturgy of the Holy Week characterises Jesus as the Servant of Yahweh. This first
Until Where Do I Follow My Lord? One With Jesus in Suffering and Triumph Blessing Of Palms And Procession Introduction before the Blessing of Palms Until Where Do I Follow My Lord? Today is a day of glory for the Lord, with people acclaiming him as God’s messenger: “Blessed is he who comes in the
At the time of the purifying trial of the exile, Ezekiel preaches God’s utopian dream: Israel will be gathered into one: one nation, one land, one sanctuary, ruled by one shepherd and a servant king under one God in a covenant of peace. After the resurrection of Lazarus, the cynical High Priest and leaders decide
Jesus, the Son of God, showed in his life and actions that he was no ordinary human being, even in the face of contradiction. Christians, sons and daughters of God without a capital s or d, who take their faith seriously, will also meet contradictions. They cannot compromise if that would be tantamount to betrayal
Our communion with God, our salvation, depends on faith. God makes his offer of a covenant; we have to trust the Word of God. Abraham believed in God’s word, and his faith changed his destiny (hence the new name) and his people. Many Jews did not believe and cut themselves off from their ancestors and
Today, we celebrate the solemn feast of the Annunciation. “Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” said the old missal. That was correct, in a way, for the angel came to announce glad tidings to Mary. “Annunciation of the Lord,” says the new missal. Yes, this is the day that the Good News is announced that
An incontestable truth is that only faith saves. In the history of the Israelites, they demonstrated their belief in this truth. While they were wandering in the desert, they became rebellious to God. They were punished by God by sending them poisonous snakes. Eventually, they repented and asked God to deliver them. They have shown
The first reading is an addition from a later period to the Book of Daniel. Probably, Shushanna (Lily) stands for faithful Israel. And so, in the form of an allegorical tale, the story comments on the faithfulness of the pious Jews to Yahweh, notwithstanding corruption among (some of) the leaders. This popular tale was a
