26/03/2024

This is the week when Jesus' "hour" arrives. All that was known from the beginning is culminating now and yet it seems that it is not set in stone and even at the Last Supper there could have been another outcome. In this world Father, Son and Holy Spirit have trusted us as their "image and likeness" with perfect human freedom so that we can use our lives by our own choice to love, serve and obey.

"I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation will reach the ends of the earth" was uttered by Isaiah more than 800 years before the Incarnation and will be read and pondered upon today by millions of Christians throughout the world as will the Psalm sung in thanks and praise.

The Apostles have noticed that Jesus is not his usual self and this has disturbed them. He responds to their unvoiced question, "I tell you solemnly that one of you will betray me". Now it is the Apostles who are well and truly disturbed. John asks the question that all of them are thinking, "Who is it Lord"? The reply, which must have been unheard by some of them, as no-one would have wished to take any more food if doing so would reveal him to be a traitor. 

Judas in reaching out for food reveals the treachery of his heart. Judas had for some time been doing "a deal " with the Sanhedrin and had agreed to deliver up "The Son of Man" to them this evening but "Satan had entered him" to complete his evil only at the instant he reached out for food. Judas could have refrained from cooperating up to that moment he let in Satan by committing the last act that sealed sin in his heart. He soon regretted his deed but compounded the sin by refusing to believe that God's mercy extends even to him.

Dear Lord, help me to live always aware that it is I who am responsible for all my deeds. I have a will that is completely free to choose to follow or deny you. I also know that you want me to reflect the Love which you have lavished on all creation. The evil that mankind is creating on a daily basis has none of the reality or the power of the Love that you offer as your free gift to us all .We only have to ask and we can become fruit of the wood from which you poured out your blood and last breath. Let these words become a reality of my being and may these my prayers, be accepted as sincere,  as are  those of Mary and all the saints, offerings of my entire being to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.