Friday, April 3, 2026

 

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

(Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16.5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42)

Every Good Friday we read the Passion according to John.  This account of the death of Jesus differs dramatically from the others.  Unlike those of Matthew and Mark Jesus does not suffer the worse of deaths imaginable – cruelly tortured and completely isolated.  Nor does Jesus continue performing acts of kindness until his dying breath as in the Passion of Luke.  In John, Jesus dies triumphant having outclassed his adversaries and transcending any pain.

We see this victory in the garden where the Roman soldiers fall to the ground when Jesus identifies himself as the great “I AM.”  He shows his authority again before the high priest Annas.  When Annas questions him about his orthodoxy, Jesus tells him truly that he has always talked openly and no one has faulted his doctrine.  With Pilate Jesus is absolutely masterful.  When he is threatened by the governor, Jesus tells him that the only power that Pilate has over him was given to him by his Father.  God granted Pilate this power so that the Father’s love might be shown when His Son is crucified to justify sinners.  As he dies, Jesus declares that his mission is complete.

This is not the time for sorrow as if we have lost a loved one.  Rather it is a moment of awe and gratitude.  Jesus Christ, the Lord, who became our brother, has won for us the promise of eternal life.  We were doomed to sin and damnation, now we can live in righteousness and hope.

Thursday, April 2, 2026

 

Holy Thursday – Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

(Exodus 12:1-8.11-14; I Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-11)

The Holy Thursday Eucharist begins the triduum of liturgies that celebrates Jesus’ achievement.  It foreshadows his death and resurrection and allows us to hope for the same end for ourselves.

Today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus gives context to the second and the gospel.  It describes both the origin of the Passover and the liturgical meal which recalls that historical event.  God punishes Egypt for abusing His chosen people; then saves the Israelites from both the horrific plague killing all first-born and from the siege by Pharoah’s army.

St. Paul writes of Jesus celebrating the Passover with his disciples the night before he died.  He tells of how during the meal Jesus reinterpreted the historical event.  For his followers it no longer refers primarily to God’s victory over Egypt but to his triumph over sin and death.  The bread and wine he blesses become his Body and Blood that will be sacrificed to atone for the sins of the world.

The gospel shifts attention from the food to the meaning of the meal.  Like most festive meals, the Lord’s Supper expresses the host’s love for his guests.  The degree of Christ’s love is signified by his removing his outer garments to wash his disciples’ feet. As he stripped himself of divinity to become human, Jesus now strips himself of all status so that he might serve all.  His action symbolizes Baptism which forges a relationship between the soon-to-be crucified and glorified Christ and those who follow him.  This relationship, in which we share, will lead us past our sins and beyond death to eternal glory.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Wednesday of Holy Week
(Isaiah 50:4–9a; Matthew 26:14–25)

The four “Servant Songs” of Second Isaiah constitute the Old Testament readings on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday of Holy Week. Although today’s passage does not mention a servant explicitly, it is so similar to the others that it belongs with the group. Some commentators identify the servant with Jeremiah the prophet, a contemporary of Second Isaiah. However, for all the trauma described in the poetry -- his back beaten and his face buffeted -- he clearly resembles to Jesus.

One of the great indignities that Jesus suffered is Judas’s betrayal. Judas is an intimate disciple, trusted with the community’s treasury according to John. After spending at least a year listening to Jesus and watching him dispense mercy, delivering him to his enemies is as unconscionable as spitting in his face.

The drama of salvation is ready to unfold. Tomorrow, we remember Christ forging a New Covenant, his Blood given to drink. On Friday, we witness how Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross brings about our justification. And on Saturday, we experience his passage from death to life so that we may share in the fullness of life.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

 

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. 

Monday, March 30, 2026

 

Monday of Holy Week

(Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11)

There is a rabbinic saying that contextualizes Mary’s anointing Jesus in today’s gospel. It goes,  “Good ointment spreads from bedroom into the dining room, but a good name spreads from one end of the world to the other.”  Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, is remembered throughout the world for her gracious deed.

Mary is even better known as the woman in Luke’s gospel who sits as a disciple at Jesus’ feet.  She carefully listens to his every word.  It would be a mistake, however, to brand Mary as solely contemplative.  As a true disciple of Jesus, she also serves.  Burying the dead has always been considered a Corporal Work of Mercy. Here Mary takes the first step of the process.

Our names may spread throughout the world as well.  Ironically, this takes place not when our good deed is recorded on a video that goes viral, but when we do it so that only God sees it.  God, who is everywhere, will take note and bless us in return.