Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Wednesday in Holy Week
April 12, 2006
Wednesday in Holy Week - Yr II
ISAIAH 50:4-9A
The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how
to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after
morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have
not turned back. 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. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have
set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is
near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear
together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD
is my help; who will prove me wrong?
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
Judas Iscariot had been with Jesus throughout his public ministry. He
had personally seen and heard many things that had changed and shaped
the lives of many people. Yet, instead of allowing the truth to set him
free, Judas held on to his doubts, greed and other forms of human
weaknesses that overtook his judgment and betrayed his friend and
master, Jesus.
This betrayal eventually led to the torture and passion of Jesus that
was depicted vividly in today's first reading under the prophetic
description of the "Suffering Servant". Jesus knew what was to come;
yet in his prayer, he allowed the Holy Spirit to guide him into
fulfilling the will of his Father, even to the point of death. This is
a stark contrast to the reactions of his disciples who had earlier made
all sorts of bold promises to follow Jesus wherever he goes, and when
difficulties arose, they all went into hiding. While one disciple
betrays Jesus, another denies him in front of others. Understandably
these are normal human reactions under danger and pressure; yet the
fact still remains that there is no compromise when justice demands it
and it can only be done with divine help.
As we enter into the Triduum this Holy Week, let us reevaluate
ourselves. Have we kept faith? Up to what degree? Have we been
effective witnesses to the truth of the Gospel? Or are we just paying
lip service? If the price were right, would we also betray Jesus and
deny him? Let remember him today and ask for his mercy, because he had
first shown us his Love
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for the speedy recovery of Mother Dolores Santos, O.P.
- for the speedy recover of Rita delos Reyes.
- for the personal intentions of Dr Cip delos Reyes and Jose delos
Reyes.
- good health to Mila San Juan, Yolanda Legaspi and Alejandro Legaspi.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Christine Lim
- Birthday: Benedicto de Jesus
- In Memoriam (+): Chio Too & Seria Chio
- In Memoriam (+): Pablo A. Tan
- In Memoriam (+): Msgr. Paul Lu, P.I.M.E.
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "DAILY-HOMILY" group.
To subscribe email: dailyhomily@gmail.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to Daily_Homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Daily_Homily
HOME: http://www.stjosephkingston.org/
Feel free to forward this to your frie nds, family and associates!
� 2006 Daily-Homily
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
