Holy Wednesday 2014

Today's Gospel Reading - John 13:21-32

Announcement of the betrayal

After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.”

His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. After Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” No one sitting at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. Some thought that, since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus told him, “Go, buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So when Judas took the bread, he left immediately. And it was night.

Love commandment

When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately.

Let us pray:
Lord,
Is it I?  Am I the one who betrays you?
Am I the one who doesn't notice the poor in our midst?  Or am I the one that does notice ... and does nothing.
Who sees starving children and does nothing.
Who sees those who are vulnerable around me and keeps going on my way.
How can I live a life that glorifies you, God? 
I need your help.
Amen.

Holy Tuesday 2014

Today's Gospel Reading - John 12:20-36 - Jesus Teaches About His Death

Some Greeks were among those who had come up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and made a request: “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” Philip told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 

Jesus replied, “The time has come for the Human One to be glorified. I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever. Whoever serves me must follow me. Wherever I am, there my servant will also be. My Father will honor whoever serves me. 

“Now I am deeply troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? No, for this is the reason I have come to this time. Father, glorify your name!” 

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 

The crowd standing there heard and said, “It’s thunder.” Others said, “An angel spoke to him.”
Jesus replied, “This voice wasn't for my benefit but for yours. Now is the time for judgment of this world. Now this world’s ruler will be thrown out. When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.” (He said this to show how he was going to die.) 

The crowd responded, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Human One must be lifted up? Who is this Human One?” 

Jesus replied, “The light is with you for only a little while. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn't overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness don’t know where they are going. As long as you have the light, believe in the light so that you might become people whose lives are determined by the light.” After Jesus said these things, he went away and hid from them.

Let us pray:
Majestic Jesus, shine a light in our hearts today as we walk with you towards the cross.  Can we give our lives over to you?  Can we walk the path that you've set before us?  Speak into our lives today, strengthen us to overcome the ways of this world that we might magnify your light for those around us.  Amen.

Holy Monday 2014

Today's Gospel reading - John 12:1-11 - Mary anoints Jesus’ feet

Six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, home of Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  Lazarus and his sisters hosted a dinner for him. Martha served and Lazarus was among those who joined him at the table.  Then Mary took an extraordinary amount, almost three-quarters of a pound, of very expensive perfume made of pure nard. She anointed Jesus’ feet with it, then wiped his feet dry with her hair. The house was filled with the aroma of the perfume.  Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), complained,  “This perfume was worth a year’s wages! Why wasn't it sold and the money given to the poor?” ( He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would take what was in it.)
Then Jesus said, “Leave her alone. This perfume was to be used in preparation for my burial, and this is how she has used it.  You will always have the poor among you, but you won’t always have me.”
Many Jews learned that he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  The chief priests decided that they would kill Lazarus too.  It was because of Lazarus that many of the Jews had deserted them and come to believe in Jesus. [CEB]

Let us pray:
Almighty God, the world tells us not to believe in miracles, that they can't be, that you can't be.  The world also tells us to look out for number one, to focus on our own gain.  God, help us to show the world that the miracles of Your Son were just a foreshadowing of glory divine.  Help us to show the world that the extravagant generosity of the life of Jesus, not an extravagant life focused on self, is the true call of Christ.  We seek a holy life, closer to you this week especially, as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the good of the world.  Amen.