Daily Reflection

March 28, 2018 Wednesday

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)

Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 & 33-34
Lord, in your great love, answer me.

1^st Reading: Is 50:4-9a

The Lord Yahweh has taught me so I speak as his disciple and I know how to sustain the weary. Morning after morning he wakes me up to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear. I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn. I offered my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pulled my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace. I have not despaired, for the Lord Yahweh comes to my help. So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced. He who avenges me is near. Who then will accuse me? Let us confront each other. Who is now my accuser? Let him approach. If the Lord Yahweh is my help, who will condemn me? All of them will wear out like cloth; the moth will devour them.

Gospel: Mt 26:14-25

Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “How much will you give me if I hand him over to you?” They promised to give him thirty pieces of silver; and from then on, he kept looking for the best way to hand Jesus over to them.

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” Jesus answered, “Go into the city, to the house of a certain man, and tell him, ‘The Master says: My hour is near, and I will celebrate the Passover with my disciples in your house.’”

The disciples did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, Jesus sat at table with the Twelve. While they were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you: one of you will betray me.” They were deeply distressed, and they asked him, one after the other, “You do not mean me, do you, Lord?”

He answered, “The one who dips his bread with me will betray me. The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that one who betrays the Son of Man: better for him not to have been born.”

Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “You do not mean me, Master, do you?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

Reflections

IF THE LORD YAHWEH IS MY HELP, WHO WILL CONDEMN ME?

This is an unwavering conviction of one’s security if we are in God. One of the basic instincts of the human being is security, not only physical security but also psychological security. We want to be in good relationship with everybody. We want to be thought of as good and innocent. One of the worst experiences of a person is the experience of condemnation, not necessarily of a court or a judge but just condemnation of any other human being but most especially those one holds in high esteem. Sometimes a person feels helpless to protect himself or herself from the unjust judgment of others. We need people to support us when we are in that situation, people who will side with us, people who will agree with us, people who will not condemn us. But if we have no one, does that mean we are completely helpless? That is when we have to fall back on the assurance that God is with us, God will help us, God will deliver us from our situation. And even if the whole world is against us, if we are with God, then we feel secure and the world’s condemnation will count for nothing.

Daily Reflection 2018

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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

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March 27, 2018 Tuesday

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)

Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 & 17
I will sing of your salvation.

1^stReading: Is 49:1-6*

Listen to me, O islands, pay attention, people from distant lands. Yahweh called me from my mother’s womb; he pronounced my name before I was born. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword. (…)

I am important in the sight of Yahweh, and my God is my strength. And now Yahweh has spoken, (…) I will make you the light of the nations, that my salvation will reach to the ends of the earth.

Gospel: Jn 13:21-33, 36-38

After saying this, Jesus was distressed in spirit, and said plainly, “Truly, one of you will betray me.” The disciples then looked at one another, wondering whom he meant. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining near Jesus; so Simon Peter signaled him to ask Jesus whom he meant.

And the disciple, who was reclining near Jesus, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “I shall dip a piece of bread in the dish and he, to whom I give it, is the one.” So Jesus dipped the bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. As Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus then said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

None of the others, reclining at the table, understood why Jesus had said this to Judas. As Judas had the common purse, they may have thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or, “Give something to the poor.” Judas left as soon as he had eaten the bread. It was night.

When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. God will glorify him, and he will glorify him very soon.

My children, I am with you for only a little while; you will look for me, but as I already told the Jews, now I tell you: where I am going you cannot come.“

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but afterward you will.” Peter said, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I am ready to give my life for you.” “To give your life for me?” Jesus asked Peter. “Truly I tell you, the cock will not crow, before you have denied me three times.”

Reflections

THE COCK WILL NOT CROW, BEFORE YOU HAVE DENIED ME THREE TIMES

St. Peter is known for his impulsive character but also his truly loving heart. So I think he sincerely meant it when he said he would give his life for Christ. But his self knowledge is somewhat defective because he does not take into consideration that he is sometimes cowardly that even a servant maid can intimidate him. It must be terrible to be denied by a friend, one of your best friends as Peter was to Jesus. In our own lives, we sometimes experience the betrayal of friends who in a moment of weakness do not defend us, do not side with us, do not admit being friends with us when threatened by someone that intimidates them. How about we ourselves? Were there not times when we pretend we do not know somebody who is being criticized by a group for fear that we will be aligned with those they are criticizing. It takes guts to contradict people talking negatively about other people, to say something good about them, to clarify things that are being muddled in the conversation. I am always comforted when a friend stands up for me when I am being maligned. I remember a Sister friend who was listening to a priest criticizing me for disagreeing with an Archbishop. She said, I am sorry I agree with Sr. Mary John in this matter. Which made him stop talking. I think that took guts. And I am grateful for her loyalty and her courage in defending me publicly. Having such friends is really a gift from God.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

March 26, 2018 Monday

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)

Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

1st Reading: Is 42:1-7
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.
I have put my spirit upon him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
He does not shout or raise his voice. Proclamations are not heard in the streets.
A broken reed he will not crush, nor will he snuff out the light of the wavering wick.
He will make justice appear in truth.
He will not waver or be broken until he has established justice on earth; the islands are waiting for his law.
Thus says God, Yahweh, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread the earth and all that comes from it, who gives life and breath to those who walk on it: I, Yahweh, have called you for the sake of justice; I will hold your hand to make you firm; I will make you as a Covenant to the people, and as a light to the nations, to open eyes that do not see, to free captives from prison, to bring out to light those who sit in darkness.

Gospel: Jn 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus, the dead man, to life. Now they gave a dinner for him, and while Martha waited on them, Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus.

Then Mary took a pound of costly perfume, made from genuine spikenard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Judas Iscariot — the disciple who was to betray Jesus — remarked, “This perfume could have been sold for three hundred silver coins, and the money given to the poor.” Judas, indeed, had no concern for the poor; he was a thief, and as he held the common purse, he used to help himself to the funds.

But Jesus spoke up, “Leave her alone. Was she not keeping it for the day of my burial? (The poor you always have with you, but you will not always have me.)”

Many Jews heard that Jesus was there and they came, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests thought about killing Lazarus as well, for many of the Jews were drifting away because of him, and believing in Jesus.

Reflections

A BROKEN REED
HE WILL NOT CRUSH

This verse of the Bible is quoted by St. Benedict in his Holy Rule in the chapter regarding the Abbot. He is describing how the Abbot should treat his monks and this is a beautiful example of compassion which St. Benedict demands from the Abbot. It means that you do not further humiliate a person when that person is already down. There is a tendency in all of us to be a bully who keeps on humiliating a person. A bully is actually a coward. If the person being bullied just meekly accepts the humiliation the bully is encouraged to continue the bullying but if the person fights back, the bully stops. Those of us who are in a position of authority and have the duty to discipline or reprimand people must remember that discipline is not primarily for punishing but for educating the person to learn from his or her mistake. Much less should it be an opportunity to show one’s power over the other person. There is also a point when one sees that the person is already suffering very much (like a broken reed) and St. Benedict admonishes the superior to stop at that point so that the person will not be totally crushed.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

March 25, 2018 Sunday

PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD‘S PASSION
Psalter: Proper / (Red)

Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

1st Reading: Is 50:4-7
The Lord Yahweh has taught me so I speak as his disciple and I know how to sustain the weary.
Morning after morning he wakes me up to hear, to listen like a disciple.
The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear. I have not rebelled, nor have I withdrawn.
I offered my back to those who strike me, my cheeks to those who pulled my beard; neither did I shield my face from blows, spittle and disgrace.
I have not despaired, for the Lord Yahweh comes to my help.
So, like a flint I set my face, knowing that I will not be disgraced.

2nd Reading: Phil 2:6-11
Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
But emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness and, in his appearance, found as a man,
He humbled himself by being obedient, to death, death on the cross.
That is why God exalted him and gave him the name which outshines all names,
So, that, at the name of Jesus, all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead,
And all tongues proclaim, that Christ Jesus is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel: Mk 14:1 — 15:47* (or Mk 15:1-39)

Early in the morning, the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the Law (that is, the whole Council or Sanhedrin) had their plan ready. They put Jesus in chains, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “You say so.” As the chief priests accused Jesus of many things, Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer at all? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus gave no further answers, much to Pilate’s surprise.

At every Passover festival, Pilate used to free any prisoner the people asked for. Now there was a man called Barabbas, jailed with the rioters who had committed murder in the uprising. When the crowd went up to ask Pilate the usual favor, he said to them, “Do you want me to set free the King of the Jews?” for he realized that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him out of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask instead for the release of Barabbas. Pilate replied, “And what shall I do with the man you call King of the Jews?” The crowd shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked, “What evil has he done?” But they shouted the louder, “Crucify him!”

As Pilate wanted to please the people, he freed Barabbas; and having had Jesus flogged, Pilate handed him over to be crucified. (…)

The soldiers led him out of the city to crucify him. On the way they met Simon of Cyrene, father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the country, and forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.

When they had led him to the place called Golgotha, which means the Skull, they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he would not take it. Then they nailed him to the cross, and divided his clothes among themselves, casting lots to decide what every man should take.

It was about nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The statement of his offense was displayed above his head, and it read, “The King of the Jews.” They also crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says: And with lawless ones he was numbered. (…)

When noon came, darkness fell over the whole land and lasted until three o’clock; and at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me?” As soon as they heard these words, some of the bystanders said, “Listen! He is calling for Elijah.” And one of them went quickly to fill a sponge with bitter wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink, saying, “Now let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.”

But Jesus uttered a loud cry and gave up his spirit. And immediately the curtain that enclosed the temple Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.

The captain, who was standing in front of him, saw how Jesus died and heard the cry he gave; and he said, “Truly, this man was the Son of God.”

Lectio Divina

Read: The Passion of our Lord, emerging out of a passion for his people. God undergoes human violence to protect and redeem us from our own violence. Though he was God, he assumed human condition to raise us to the divine.

Reflect: The greatest of suffering one can undergo is the suffering resulting out of betrayals by those whom one deeply loves. How great had been the suffering of Jesus! He, God, is betrayed by everyone around – his own beloved disciples, family members, those who received his favors, his own people, the entire humanity whom he had created. But he willingly bears it out of love and mercy.

Pray: Pray for true repentance for your sins against God and neighbor.

Act: Mend a broken relationship.

Daily Reflection 2018

Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57^th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL

With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

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