Friday and Saturday of the Fifth week in Lent, March 30-31,2007
256:
"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice." This psalm
response is our prayer throughout the day as we approach the last week of
Jesus' life. We know that the Passion Narratives will soon be heard and we
will follow the last days of Jesus' life from these historical and inspired
accounts. We have this last novena of time to prepare for new birth at the
Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Jeremiah gives us the reason for our
prayer, namely, we all feel discouraged or disappointed at times and
sometimes even rejected or betrayed. The prophet Jeremiah never conceals
his feelings but lets us in on them by his agonizing. We can feel his pain.
The unfortunate situation is caused by the leaders of his own people.
Jesus, too, is somewhat in the same circumstances as he dialogues and
engages in heated discourse with his own leaders and those who are
interpreters of the law. He is ever aware that he is the "Apostle" of God
since he has been sent on mission by his Father whom he is always in
communion with and even identifies himself with. This causes conflict and
becomes a burning issue of blasphemy--a crime punishable by death. He has
come not to condemn the world he lives in but to save it, but this does not
fit the worldview of his opponents. He has said, " And if I be lifted up
will draw all persons to myself." Yes, in these final days of his life
which we vividly recall during this latter part of Lent we sense his
sacrificial death is looming up in front of him and us. The sequence of
readings will lead us to his crucifixion by the Roman soldiers. We will
experience his agony, his scourging, his crowning with thorns, and then the
horrible way to Calvary. Nothing will stop this now. Like the Paschal
Lamb which is being led out for slaughter so, too, is he being led to his
denouement with crucifixion as the instrument of execution. We all are
being prepared by these readings for the solemn celebration of the days of
Holy Week. It is our last chance to renew and refresh our Ash Wednesday
resolution to follow the Lord Jesus more closely. It is never too late for
this. So let us "Carpe Diem" --seize the day; seize the moment. Amen.
Saturday of the Fifth Week in Lent, March 31, 2007:
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:21-28. Jeremiah 31:10-13. John 11:45-47. Lectionary
# 257:
Scriptural prophesies often can be summed up as having two effects and
these more traditional words sum them up: weal or woe. Another way of
looking upon them are blessings or curses for either our following them or
rejecting them. Ezekiel's prophecy is one of those blessings or weal
prophesies. It is hopeful, visionary, and consoling. The prophecy of
Caiphas, the highpriest, is a prophecy of woe and curse that indicates that
Jesus is to die. The Sanhedrin, or, at least, some of them are trying to
see how this can happen and are interested in seizing Jesus.
Paradoxically, the woe will be turned into a blessing on all of humankind
through his death and resurrection. Here is the prophecy of Caiphas which
sets in motion a woe and a weal, a curse and a blessing: "You have no
understanding whatever! Can you not see it is better to have one man die
{for the people} than to have the whole nation destroyed?" Then the
Evangelist interprets the prophecy for us: "He (Caiphas) prophesied that
Jesus would die for the nation--and not for the nation only, but to gather
into one all the dispersed children of God." We learn that the Passover
Feast is near and that this will be the last time Jesus celebrates it on
this earth with his intimate group of disciples. We are called to join
them in chapter 13 of the Gospel of John and to learn the important last
lessons Jesus gives us just before his death. We are being prepared for
the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. Let us
pray fervently the traditional prayer, "Lord, by your Cross and
Resurrection you have redeemed the world." Amen.
posted by Fr. Bert SM at 8:00 AM
<< Home