Gospel:  The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

(John 18:1-19:42)

Read the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.  

Reflection:  Today is “Good” Friday. Question is always asked why this day is called “Good?”  In John’s account of the Passion, nothing “good” happens to Jesus.  In fact, all that happens to Jesus is very bad.  It begins with Judas’ betrayal, one of his apostles, who walked with Jesus for 3 years, heard His preaching, saw His miracles, had his feet washed, and yet he betrayed him.   After his arrest, Jesus is scourged, crowned with thorns, repeatedly struck and tortured.  When he needs them the most, all of Jesus’ closest friends flee.  Peter denies Jesus 3 times.  Jesus carries his cross on the way to Calvary.  He is mocked, spit upon, whipped.  Jesus is stripped of his clothes.  He is then crucified and he suffers for 3 hours and dies an agonizing and horrible death.  So, how can this be called “good?”

At the beginning of John’s passion, we heard that “Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him.”   Jesus knew what God called him to on this day.  Jesus lived out his Father’s plan and did his father’s will through obedience, true humility and self-sacrificing love.  Jesus placed all of his hope and trust in God his Father.  This is “Good.”  While on the cross, before he died, Jesus entrusted his mother to John and to us so Mary could be our mother.  On this day, we see how Jesus completed his mission on earth.  He showed us how to live, love unconditionally and serve others.  This is “Good.”  We learn that through the suffering of Jesus we receive the greatest of all blessings.  We receive forgiveness for our sins and eternal life.  This is “Good.” 

Several years ago, there was a B.C. cartoon strip, by Johnny Hart.  This strip is set in pre-historic times with cavemen and cavewomen as characters.  Two cavemen are sitting on a rock.  One says, “I hate the term “Good Friday.”  The 2nd caveman asks “Why?”  The 1st says, “My Lord was hanged on a tree that day.”  The 2nd asks, “If you were going to be hanged on that day, and He volunteered to take your place, how would you feel?”  The 1st replied, “Good.”  The 2nd says, “Have a nice day” as he walks away.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, “The law he gave us was clear, life is a struggle.  Unless there is a cross in our lives, there will never be an empty tomb; unless there is a crown of thorns, there will never be a halo of light.  Unless there is a Good Friday, there will never be an Easter Sunday.” 

When Jesus was crucified and as He hung on the cross, WE were on his mind.

Back to the original question, why do we call this day “good?”  Today and everyday we can say, “Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free.  You are the Savior of the world.”  And that is GOOD!

Action for the day:  Even though it is not a “Holy Day” of obligation, attend a celebration of the Lord’s Passion at your church.

Audio Reflection:

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John 13:1-15

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come
to pass from this world to the Father.
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.
The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper,
fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power
and that he had come from God and was returning to God,
he rose from supper and took off his outer garments.
He took a towel and tied it around his waist.
Then he poured water into a basin
and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later.”
Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him,
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
Simon Peter said to him,
“Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
Jesus said to him,
“Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,
            for he is clean all over;
so you are clean, but not all.”
For he knew who would betray him;
for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when he had washed their feet
and put his garments back on and reclined at table again,
he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?
You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’  and rightly so, for indeed I am.
If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

(The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!)

Reflection:  Follow the model of Jesus

Today we hear the scripture readings of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Let’s imagine that we are there among the twelve apostles. It is evening, and we are getting ready to have supper with Jesus, then we  see him get up to do something. The following questions may have gone through our minds:  What is my master doing?  Why is he tying a towel around his waist? Why is he preparing a wash basin? 

Then we see Peter questioning Jesus and our Lord tells him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later.” Then we see Peter first refused to have his feet washed, but then relents when Jesus tells him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”, as Peter then wanted almost his whole body washed, but Jesus then shared, that only his feet needed to be washed.

The twelve apostles must have been astonished as they watched Jesus wash their feet. Why would he do that?  

Then Jesus then shared to the disciples, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

What a beautiful example our Lord Jesus is teaching us. Jesus is showing us how to truly serve one another, what we should do… that the way to truly following Him, is to lead a life of humility, to be willing to wash one another’s feet, to be willing to get on our knees in order to wash one another’s feet. To really help one another by allowing the light of kindness and gentleness to begin from within our hearts and to love everyone, to be willing to wash one another’s feet, even to a poor person who may have walked all day searching for food, without any sandals…no shoes… to help provide medicine… to dress one another’s wounds, to provide water for the thirsty, food for the hungry, provide our presence for the grieving, to find help, to sfind shelter for the ones who have no home, or refuge for the ones seeking safety away from the violence occurring in their home country.  To share of our blessings and humbly serve and love one another.  Let’s follow the model of Jesus.

Action for the Day:

In prayer, ask God to continue to increase our faith, to help us to overcome any reservations or discomforts we may have that prevents us from following Jesus’ example of humility, service and love. Ask our Lord Jesus to strengthen and guide us through His Holy Spirit, to be willing to help one another, even the stranger who approaches us, and everyone that we meet.

DEACON5 website link: https://deacon5.com/

To listen to today’s reflection, click the link below.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew (26:14-25)

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot,
went to the chief priests and said,
“What are you willing to give me
if I hand him over to you?”
They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
the disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Where do you want us to prepare
for you to eat the Passover?”
He said,
“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him,
‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near;
in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘“
The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered,
and prepared the Passover.

When it was evening,
he reclined at table with the Twelve.
And while they were eating, he said,
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Deeply distressed at this,
they began to say to him one after another,
“Surely it is not I, Lord?”
He said in reply,
“He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me
is the one who will betray me.
The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply,
“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”
He answered, “You have said so.”

REFLECTION: Dear brothers and sisters, as I mentioned in the opening, this day of Holy Week, is also known as “Spy Wednesday”. It is the day Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests, and temple guards, acting as a spy among the twelve disciples, and negotiated the betrayal of Jesus, for thirty pieces of silver.

Some traditions consider “Spy Wednesday” a day of preparation, and I can see why. In the case of Judas, there was some time of detail preparation and planning, for the moment when he would betray Jesus. As for us, in this day and time, when we already know the outcome of this day, in human history, lets focus and make today, a day of detailed planning and preparation, of our hearts, for the Passion.

There is also a central challenge, of “Spy Wednesday”, for the “small Judas” within each of us. Pope Francis warned us of this**—when we choose our own interest, our greed, or our comfort, over our loyalty to Christ, we too, sit at the table of the Eucharist, yet sometimes, through our sins, we “sell” Jesus out, for our own “thirty pieces of silver”—be it power, money, or reputation.

Therefore, lets pause and prepare our hearts, by stepping away from whatever tempts our hearts, and enter into the stillness of prayer, as I invite you to pray along with me, by repeating each phrase after me, on the following prayer.

Heavenly Father, in this sacred time of Holy Week,
we implore Your divine guidance and wisdom.
We meditate on the profound mysteries of our faith,
especially the paschal mystery of Christ’s
passion, death, and resurrection.
Grant us clarity to articulate the beauty
of these truths to those seeking answers.
Strengthen our resolve to defend our beliefs
with charity and conviction.
May the grace of this season,
transform hearts and minds,  
leading souls closer to your truth and salvation.
We humbly ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you
forever and ever. Amen.

https://www.catholic.com/tract/holy-week-catholic-answers-guide-to-holy-week

ACTION FOR THE DAY:  As we enter the end of our Lenten season, our spiritual pilgrimage, to the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, I invite you today, to walk along with Jesus and his disciples, witnessing the unfolding drama, of salvation history. Make this Holy Wednesday, a time of deep reflection, transformative worship, and a renewed commitment, to the merciful love and sacrifice, of Jesus Christ.

** Homily of Pope Francis “Judas, where are you?” April 8, 2020.

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/cotidie/2020/documents/papa-francesco-cotidie_20200408_tra-lealta-e-interesse.html

AUDIO REFLECTION:

The Gospel according to John (13:21-33, 36-38) 

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified,

“Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant.

One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved,

was reclining at Jesus’ side.

So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant.

He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him,

“Master, who is it?”

Jesus answered,

“It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.”

So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas,

son of Simon the Iscariot.

After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him.

So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him.

Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him,

“Buy what we need for the feast,”

or to give something to the poor.

So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

When he had left, Jesus said,

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself,

and he will glorify him at once.

My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.

You will look for me, and as I told the Jews,

‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?”

Jesus answered him,

“Where I am going, you cannot follow me now,

though you will follow later.”

Peter said to him,

“Master, why can I not follow you now?

I will lay down my life for you.”

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me?

Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow

before you deny me three times.”

Reflection:

As I was pondering this Gospel, a line struck me that I had not really thought too much about before – at least, not as one to focus on: Jesus said, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.”  That line has all sorts of depths of meaning we can think about.

First, Jesus is speaking of His suffering and death, which the Apostles all (except John, the “beloved disciple”) would experience in a very real way, like Jesus.  He was reminding them that they would all be asked to suffer and lay down their own lives for the faith they were taking on.  Second, Jesus is speaking of His resurrection, which we celebrate again this coming weekend during the Sacred Triduum.  He was reminding His closest followers that they, too, would be raised up, no matter what happened to them on earth. 

Third, He is saying those same words to you and to me – we will follow after Him, but not before whatever mission He has given us on earth is done.  Back in the early days of email, folks would have cute little sayings or quotes as part of their “email signatures”.  Remember those?  So, I recall one that I favored (and this was quite early in my IT career): “I believe that God has placed each of us here for a purpose.  I am now so far behind, I will never die.”  Kind of presumptuous of me to dare to suggest such a thing, right?

The point is that Jesus does invite us to follow Him and to share His love as our main mission in life.  Just like Peter in today’s Gospel asks why he can’t follow Jesus *now*, we may have that same question.  His answer is that He wants us to participate in His mission of salvation for the world, so that we can do our small part of ensuring that the Gospel is indeed proclaimed to every creature, and not just by our words, but by our very lives.

As we walk through Holy Week, may we be even more attentive to how God is calling each of us to follow His Son, and make Him known to all.  May we see that the cross truly is the triumph for each of us in that it paid the price for us to be able to follow after Jesus through our work sharing His love, through His death and resurrection and ultimately to the glory of the heavenly kingdom, where we long to be with our Lord and all of the Saints forever.  I pray that you all have a blessed Holy Week!

Action for the Day:  

Maybe you’re not feeling worthy of this amazing gift we are given.  I’m there with you!  If that’s the case, we have a chance this week, prior to Holy Thursday, to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Don’t hesitate to approach our Lord for His pardon and strength, and then go forth to Easter with true Easter joy, and shine the light of Jesus for all to see.

Link to the DEACON5 website: https://deacon5.com/

If you would like to hear this reflection, click the link below! 

The Holy Gospel according to John 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. 
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil
made from genuine aromatic nard
and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;
the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,
and the one who would betray him, said,
“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages
and given to the poor?”
He said this not because he cared about the poor
but because he was a thief and held the money bag
and used to steal the contributions.
So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.
Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,
not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,
whom he had raised from the dead.
And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
because many of the Jews were turning away
and believing in Jesus because of him.

Reflection: This passage gives us a good deal of meaning through its examples. Mary’s gift of love, along with Judas’s deceitfulness, has greater significance because of how it contributes to a series of developments.

Jesus’ “hour” is near, so He spends time with His friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus right after the crucial scene of Lazarus’s rebirth. That is the “sign” that brings many to believe in Jesus, many to flock to him, yet others plot his death. When Jesus mentions his burial, this confirms that his end is coming. Yet Lazarus’s presence at the table confirms that death does not speak the final word.

Jesus forges the connection between the anointing and his burial. Jesus suggests that Mary’s keeping the perfume in her possession and using it on him now have consequently achieved a greater, more meaningful purpose that she perhaps intended: announcing the nearness of Jesus’ death and preparing for his burial.

The sweet smell of Mary’s perfume counters the stench that came from Lazarus’s tomb. Life and death or wholeness and corruption remain contrasted throughout both scenes. Mary’s wiping of Jesus’ feet foreshadows the time when he will wipe the feet of his disciples. This makes her as a model disciple, for the washing and wiping of feet expresses a unity with Jesus and reflects his command.

Readers know that Judas is “a devil,” but John chooses this point in the narrative to reveal him as a thief. This creates a clear opposition between him and Mary. He is false; she is true. He is greedy and self-serving; she is generous and enthusiastic in her devotion.

St. Paul of the Cross says, “Since we, as Catholics, know the end of the story, there is a temptation to gloss over the grim reality of Holy Week. Although Jesus has indeed conquered sin and death and has in fact opened up the gates of Heaven to us all, his suffering and death–this act of perfect love–was an integral part of the process. Have a continual remembrance of the agonies of your crucified Love, and know that the greatest saints, who now, in heaven, triumph in holy love, arrived at perfection in this way”.

Action of the Day: Reflect, today, upon the depth of your own adoration of our Lord.  Are you willing to “spill” your whole livelihood upon Him?  Is He the most central part of your life?  Do you daily humble yourself before Him and pour out your heart to Him in prayer?  Reflect upon this humble act of worship that Mary offers Jesus and seek to imitate her beautiful example. Whose feet will you wipe?

Audio Reflection: