Tuesday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33.36-38)
Jack was a senior in college when he was diagnosed with
cancer. He battled the disease for two
and a half years. At the same time Jack embraced
the Catholicism of his youth. Whenever
he could, he attended daily mass. He
studied the Bible and theology, watched apologetic videos, and participated in
faith-sharing groups. Jack’s
reinvigorated faith lifted the hearts of everyone with whom he came in
touch. Even other cancer patients in the
hospital where he was treated were affected by his message of hope. Jack’s
serene death in the middle of the night with family and hospital staff around
him made all ponder God’s ways. How
could something so terrible as death become such a glorious blessing to others?
The answer, of course, is Jesus Christ. In today’s gospel Jesus anticipates his death
the following day. He is troubled not so
much by that fact as by his unerring intuition that one of his trusted friends
will betray him and another will deny him.
Night is closing in on Jesus. Yet
he does not speak with his disciples of doom but of glory. His death will atone
for sin and bring about eternal life.
Many will then lift their voices to God, his Father, in praise and
thanksgiving. In turn, he too will be blessed
and exalted.
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