Wednesday of Holy Week
Readings for Wednesday of Holy Week
First Posted: Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Instant Replay
Reflection:
Scripture is acting like super slow motion and instant replay as we approach the Triduum that begins tomorrow. Today we hear the Judas story again, this time from Matthews Gospel. Here we are given the sum he was paid and the explicit whisper is omitted. The story is essentially the same. Notice it is again set against the back drop of the Suffering Servant passage from the Prophet Isaiah. This passage prefigured Christ is so many ways and is key to Gods communication to us about the true nature of the Messiah.
The upper room where the Last Supper will be eaten is being prepared, again a slow motion replay of what we heard just days ago. It is building suspense in us as we faithfully follow the path of Jesus towards its inevitable conclusion.
And the Suffering Servant reminds us; 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. (Is 50;6)
As for us, we steel our hearts and pray more intensely that this kind of trial is not placed before us or if it is, we have the courage and strength to accept Gods will as our Lord does. We remember why he is doing this. It is for us! It is to establish our covenant with God the New Covenant that, for all people and all time, will give us a path to eternal life with the Father. It is the greatest gift ever given and the greatest promise ever made and it requires the greatest sacrifice to seal it.
Now, at the very heart of Holy Week we see once more all of the inner workings of the plot to take and humiliate the Lord of Life. We hear the words of wicked men: What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you? and we think; How could the Father have let this happen to his only Son? And again we remember; this is for us! In our weakness we are constantly at risk of falling from grace. And God so loves us that he sends the man Jesus to show us the way back to him and the God Jesus to seal the promise. True God and true man he comes, willingly but with trepidation into the trap we have set for him and our hearts try to shout down those two thousand years dont go, but has done this, for us and it will never be taken back. Pax
Readings for Wednesday of Holy Week
First Posted: Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Instant Replay
Reflection:
Scripture is acting like super slow motion and instant replay as we approach the Triduum that begins tomorrow. Today we hear the Judas story again, this time from Matthews Gospel. Here we are given the sum he was paid and the explicit whisper is omitted. The story is essentially the same. Notice it is again set against the back drop of the Suffering Servant passage from the Prophet Isaiah. This passage prefigured Christ is so many ways and is key to Gods communication to us about the true nature of the Messiah.
The upper room where the Last Supper will be eaten is being prepared, again a slow motion replay of what we heard just days ago. It is building suspense in us as we faithfully follow the path of Jesus towards its inevitable conclusion.
And the Suffering Servant reminds us; 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. (Is 50;6)
As for us, we steel our hearts and pray more intensely that this kind of trial is not placed before us or if it is, we have the courage and strength to accept Gods will as our Lord does. We remember why he is doing this. It is for us! It is to establish our covenant with God the New Covenant that, for all people and all time, will give us a path to eternal life with the Father. It is the greatest gift ever given and the greatest promise ever made and it requires the greatest sacrifice to seal it.
Now, at the very heart of Holy Week we see once more all of the inner workings of the plot to take and humiliate the Lord of Life. We hear the words of wicked men: What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you? and we think; How could the Father have let this happen to his only Son? And again we remember; this is for us! In our weakness we are constantly at risk of falling from grace. And God so loves us that he sends the man Jesus to show us the way back to him and the God Jesus to seal the promise. True God and true man he comes, willingly but with trepidation into the trap we have set for him and our hearts try to shout down those two thousand years dont go, but has done this, for us and it will never be taken back. Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 12:29 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home