.....Of One Heart & Mind

Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

Acts 4:32-37

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the Apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.

I'm completely and totally exhausted today!  Turns out the month of April will be just as busy as the month of March.  I'm piled high with work at the office.  I've been invited to several church and family events.  On top of all this, the house needs much-needed maintenance.  Next week just so happens to be my birthday.  I'm trying not to think too much about growing a year older....

We read this passage from the Acts of the Apostles on Divine Mercy Sunday.  Scripture passages repeat themselves frequently during the Easter Season as well as other times of the year.  The Church likes to emphasize important themes.

Christians as a community of believers should be of one heart and mind.  They should care of one another; think of the needs of one another; spread the good news to each other.  We are all part of the body of Christ. No part is better than the other.  No part is necessarily more deserving than the other.  We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. 

 Our broken society likes to sell the idea that individualism will get a person further in life.  Follow your dreams!  You can do it all by yourself!  Be more confident!  Strike out the competition!  Be the best!  As a result, people tend to look more inwardly than outwardly.  

I think of the ages past when we lived in a rural American society.  Families in farming communities worked together to till the land, feed the animals, and harvest the crop.  They shared the produce of their labor with each other.  If a person didn't help out on the farm, he or she didn't eat.  It was expected that the farming community support one another.  They needed to in order to survive.

 Now we live in an urban society where everything is electronic and digital.  We no longer have to grow our own cotton  and weave it into a dress by hand.  We just order a dress online and have it shipped to our homes.  We can spending hours and hours texting, tweeting, and facebooking with our "friends" in a virtual environment.   However, many people secretly crave a real community to interact with; real flesh and blood, not avatars and doctored up photos!  

A real community can be found in the Catholic Church!  It can take a person a while to select a parish home he or she feels the most comfortable.  I was a member of three different parishes, visiting many in between, before I discovered St. Joseph as my spiritual home.  Every time I even think about leaving my parish community and the beautiful people I've met over the years I simply can't do it.    I've been a member there for 10 years in November, and I still love it.  

Bear witness as disciples of Christ of one heart and one mind!

-J.

Perceptions and Misconceptions

ACTS 4:13-21 Perceptions and Misconceptions 

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

(Click Here for Readings)

Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. Then when they saw the man who had been cured standing there with them, they could say nothing in reply.


I love the scripture readings during the Easter Season.  The Apostles preach and teach with zeal and gusto.  They finally understand the Lord's calling as they travel from town to town converting, baptizing, and healing. We witness a dramatic change in perception.  The Gospel of Mark characterizes the disciples as if they are more like DUH-ciples! Consistently afraid and prone to disbelief, Jesus teaches his chosen ones the Truth by example. However, the DUH-ciples have trouble understanding....

Eventually, the DUH-ciples develop into bold and confident Apostles. They get it at last!!  What's changed?  The Resurrection Light, as bright as sunlight, transformed their hearts and souls while The Holy Spirit flooded their minds with insight and a new-found maturity. The leaders, the elders, and scribes were "amazed" by  the miraculous cure of the crippled man at the Beautiful Gate.  But, along with this amazement came a serious warning to no longer speak in Christ's name. Will the Apostles stop preaching and teaching the good news?  No way!

Perceptions   How many times do we perceive others in a negative manner because of the way they look, behave, or even smell?  How many times do we classify someone as stupid or ignorant because he/she doesn't have a college degree or may come from a poor family background?  I imagine the elders and scribes turning up their noses at Peter and John with an air of arrogance.  These "uneducated and ordinary men" couldn't possibly amount to much!  I mean, didn't they hang around with Jesus Christ, the so-called King of the Jews?  But, wait a minute:  They performed the miracle on that cripple who's begged outside the temple for years.  Now that's something to pay attention to.....but with a tad bit of caution.  The elders and scribes don't want the companions of Jesus to get out-of-control.  It's dangerous if too many Jews (and even a few Gentiles here and there) convert to this new Christian faith!

In modern day, people can perceive the disabled as useless in society.  I think of the couple who finds out their child in the womb has Down Syndrome.  Do they choose to abort?  The child will be a burden to society.  He will not live a very long life.  You can always have another baby!  The couple already loves their pre-born baby!  He or she is a beautiful gift from God! The loving couple decides to carry the baby to term and will take care of the precious life despite the challenges.

Misconceptions  Paralleled closely with perceptions is the idea of misconceptions.  The Disciples clearly had no idea what Jesus alluded to as he regularly "hinted" at  his own death and resurrection. They assumed that Jesus must be fatigue and exhausted since his words didn't make any sense.  How could he possibly predict his own death?  How could he possibly leave his beloved followers? What is he talking about?

Throughout Christ's life, the Pharisees and Scribes misconceived Jesus as a blasphemer and a false prophet. They refused to believe that he was the real messiah Isaiah spoke of.  It's easy for us today to notice the similarities between the writings of the Old Testament Prophets and the actions and words by Jesus Christ himself.  However, at the time the political and religious climate wouldn't accept such conclusions. The hope remained for a different Messiah, a man closer in line with Judaic Law.

Recently on CBS Sunday Morning, an episode highlighted the works of the young artist Jeffrey Owen Hanson.  At birth he was diagnosed with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis which led to the development of an optic nerve tumor, impairing his eyesight. However, God blessed him with an incredible gift:  The ability to paint beautiful works of art! Through this young man's disability, he creates acrylic paintings that earn thousands of dollars for his own philanthropy goals.  Yes, he donates all of his proceeds to charity!  By the age of 20 he donated over $1 million dollars. He calls his work "a sight for sore eyes."  

Jeff Owen Hanson focuses on what he can do instead of what he can't do.Wow, who could ever perceive or misconceive this brilliant artist as anything but amazing?

 (Note: The picture on this blog post was painted by Jeff Hanson and is titled Monte Carlo Sunrise.)

Nobody should ever doubt or judge the capability of another human being. God blesses each one of us with unique gifts and talents.  Sometimes we may not realize such blessings until much later in life.  Perceive with caution and keep misconceptions at bay.  It's a daily challenge, but it can be overcome with the help of the Holy Spirit.

"What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.”  ― C.S. Lewis

-J.

Arise and Walk!

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Book of Acts 3:1-10

Peter and John were going up to the temple area

for the three o’clock hour of prayer.  And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”

He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.”

This morning as I stepped out of the shower I slipped on the wet tile floor and landed on my buttocks.  I cursed as I laid motionless on my back.  My rear and tail bone hurt so bad that a wave of nausea came over me.  Oh no! Will I be able to get up?  This hurts like !@#$.  I hope I didn't break something.... Ten minutes later I was able to stand up.  I looked in the mirror and saw a large red spot and broken skin.  I usually bruise like a Chiquita banana, so the wound should be even more colorful as the day passes.  Yikes!

I felt crippled!  I considered calling in sick so I could lay in bed and lick  my wounds, metaphorically speaking.  However, too much work awaited me at the office.

Take a couple of Aleve, head off to my job, and try not to think about the throbbing  pain and soreness.... 

I reflect on the man crippled from birth who sits at the "Beautiful Gate."   He can't walk much less live a normal life. He's probably begged for alms in front of this gate for years.  People pass by him without a care in the world.  He's deformed, defective, and diseased.  One of his ancestors must have disobeyed the Lord which caused this man to become a pitiful wretch.  However, Peter and John just so happen to be heading to the temple for mid-afternoon prayer.  They saw a person in need of healing. He was the perfect candidate for one of the Apostles' first miracles.   Once cured, now the beggar can re-enter normal society, spreading the message of Christianity to all who will hear.

We may not born crippled, or even injure ourselves in an accident, but our minds become crippled by self-defeating thoughts:

I will never succeed!  I will always be a weirdo!  I will always be a reject!  I will never amount to anything!

Let's rewind and erase the negative thoughts, shall we?  Arise to the Lord's challenge!  Allow God to work his miracles within our souls, healing our inner wounds so we are not so quick  at criticizing ourselves.  We all have faults.  We are imperfect creatures.  However, we are still formed in the image and likeness of God.

Days like today I can easily get myself into a pitiful state, moaning and groaning about how badly I hurt! However, I choose to endure the discomfort and keep up my good spirits!  I'm sure the poor beggar hurt, too.  He hoped (and prayed) for a few silver and gold coins never expecting in a thousand years that two of Christ's disciples would permanently heal him!

Arise, believe and be healed!

-J.

Why Weep?

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter


Gospel of John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.

Whenever I read this passage during Easter Season, my heart feels for poor Mary Magdalene and her loss.  She's devastated! She lingers close to Christ's tomb, weeping and mourning as tears stream down her face. She has little appetite as her eyes remain swollen and puffy from non-stop crying.  She can't believe her healer, teacher, mentor, and spiritual love is now DEAD!

Why did it have to happen like this?  Why couldn't He be with us longer?

Mary's heart is heavy with sadness.  Her mind is filled with images from the past:  The day Jesus healed her from the demons infecting her soul.....That fateful evening when she anointed Her Beloved's feet with precious oil....All the wonderful days she journeyed with Jesus and the disciples, providing for their material needs.

The pain is just too much to bear!  I miss Jesus so much!  I wish he was here with me.  I love him so!

Then a miracle happens.  The man she mistakes as the gardener is actually Jesus, Her Beloved Lord! He's alive!  He been resurrected from the dead! Oh how she wants to cling, hug, and snuggle up next to him.  Stroke his face; guide her fingers through his hair; grab on to his hands and hug him with all her womanly strength.  She's thrilled that he's with her again; yet she quickly realizes she can't have Him all to herself!  He hasn't ascended into Heaven quite yet.  Jesus has "unfinished" teaching and guidance in order to equip his disciples for the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Mary Magdalene's tears of mourning turn into tears of joy.  She realizes her duty to inform the other disciples of Jesus' resurrection.  He is only around for a short period of time, and He's only seen by the specific chosen few.

Why weep when the bride groom reappears?  Why weep when incredible news of Jesus's return must be spread to the disciples and all of Christ's believers?

We weep in mourning....
We weep in happiness....
We weep in frustration....
We weep in adoration....
We weep with love....
We weep with joy....
We weep in ways that show our human nature....
Weeping cleanses and heals the soul!

The Lord Is Risen!  Alleluia!

-J.

20/20 Resurrection Foresight

Easter Monday

Gospel of Matthew 28:8-15

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Recently on YouTube, I listened to an intriguing sermon from a United Methodist minister.  She coined a phrase worth closer reflection.  Instead of Hindsight 20/20 she spoke of 20/20 Resurrection Foresight.

Most of us look back at our lives,shaking our heads at some of the foolish things we've done.  Hindsight is always 20/20 as we say to ourselves, "If I only knew back then what I know now I would have made different choices!"

I look back at my twenties during a time when so many opportunities presented itself. If I knew about  the future growth of jobs in the healthcare industry, I'd entered graduate school and worked in cancer research, despite the costs.  (Tuition was so much cheaper back 20 years ago.). Moreover, I would have stayed at my government job knowing by this time next year (2016) I'd be close to early retirement.  (My mom warned me it was a mistake to quit that first job, but I didn't listen. Hindsight 20/20!!)  When it comes to my love life, if I had only listened to my gut instinct instead of my infatuated heart I would have stayed away from user boyfriends.  

We can't dwell on our past failures but learn from them.  Hopefully we have grown up and matured, making an honest effort not to repeat mistakes.

The soldiers guarding Jesus' tomb experienced their own form of hindsight is 20/20.  If they hadn't been asleep, and paid closer attention to the tomb, they may have seen Christ's body taken away. Well, at least this is what they thought. The chief priests didn't want the guards to get in trouble with the governor so they came up with an excuse:  Blame the disciples for stealing the corpse!  

If we look at scripture very closely, 20/20 Resurrection foresight is hinted at in John's version of Christ's empty tomb.  Specifically, it says John 20:6-7 (KJV):

"Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb, and he saw the linen clothes lying there and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but folded together in a place by itself."

Why would the handkerchief placed on Christ's head be folded and placed separate from the rest of his burial clothes?  Hmmm...Unless this is a foresight into the miracle of the Resurrection. Interesting detail to meditate on....

20/20 Resurrection foresight is clearly seen throughout the Old Testament Prophets.  The parallels to Christ are utterly amazing!

In our every day lives, let us turn to the Lord in prayer and petition.  Let us meditate on holy scripture.  Let us consume the Holy Eucharist as often as possible.  Allow the Holy Spirit to penetrated our lives in order to guide us along the narrow path to holiness.

We cannot predict the future; however, we can observe what is going on around us.  Is God calling us to do something different?  Is the Holy Spirit gently nudging us to reform our ways?  Is  Christ reminding us through his Resurrection that eternal reward awaits us in heaven if we only choose to follow Him in obedience?

Hindsight doesn't have to be 20/20. Replace it with 20/20 Foresight!

-J.

The Empty Tomb

Easter Sunday 2015

Gospel of John 20:1-9

The Empty Tomb Resurrection Cake !

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him.”

Jesus Christ is Risen Today!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pain which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He's king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!

At mass morning, we sang the old Protestant hymn "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" with full organ accompaniment.  It's my favorite hymn! This song brought up memories of the Baptist Church I attended as a teen; the choir and the orchestra were incredible, especially on Easter Sunday!

 Despite the morning rain and chill, we had a good turnout at the Easter sunrise service.  Everybody dressed up in lovely Easter outfits.  One family of young women wore traditional veils over their heads. How beautiful and reverent. I've always wanted to wear a veil myself but never had the courage.  Maybe someday... 

Resurrection from the past I try not to attract too much attention, especially in church.  But, for the past few months I've noticed more smiles and looks of interest from others.  Total strangers come up to me to ask questions or say hello.  On Holy Thursday, an elderly woman approached me before mass.  She says she remembered me from a college entrance exam I took over 20 years ago.  She was my proctor!  A little embarrassed,  I tried to remember who she was as she described how my hair was long with waves.  (I had an 80's spiral perm!!) Then on Good Friday after the prayer service in front of the abortion clinic, a lady saw me and exclaimed, "I know you!  You were in my Catholic Biblical School class!  Remember me?  We were at the same table.  You were in your last year and I just started."  I looked at her. Once again, I didn't recognize her right away, but then when she told me her name I remembered.  It had been nearly 5 years ago we last spoke!  

I thought, "How interesting two people remembered me from years ago and during Holy Week!" All I can figure is I must have made a positive impact on them or they would not have greeted me so warmly.

Our Lord's Resurrection   Today we celebrate Easter and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ .  Sadly, Easter has become so commercialized that the "real reason for the resurrection" has been replaced by Easter egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, and Easter candy.  Stores profit from Easter sales and bargains.  This parallels secularized Christmas in every stretch of the imagination.  

On Good Friday I went to Target to buy some fish.  Two young ladies stood behind me in line.  They placed on the conveyor belt tons of chocolate candy, candy eggs, baskets, and other kid stuff.  As I looked at the mountain of sweets, I wondered, "Will these young ladies go to Church on Sunday or will they just make it a day of fun for the kids?"  Both ladies were covered in tattoos wearing short -shorts, thick make-up and fake eyelashes.  I think I the answer to the question was obvious.......

The Lord's Resurrection provides believers with a sense of hope.  We know nothing is impossible with God.  When we trust in him, he provides for us.  When we have faith in him, he surprises us with so many blessings.  When we love one another, and give to one another in acts of service, we mimic the way of life which is favorable to the Lord.

Christ has Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!!

-J.

Easter Excitement

Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil 2015

(Click Here for Readings)

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him...... On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter,  ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”

The Easter Vigil, April 1998  I entered the darkened sanctuary with a white candle in hand, wearing a pretty lavender dress and matching heels.  Tonight our close-knit  RCIA group would participate in the Rite of Acceptance. Over the past year, we learned about the Catholic Church's teachings with probing interest.   We concluded The Scrutinies with a high level of anticipation. Now the fire of Easter excitement burned! The Holy Spirit penetrated every crevice of our souls; we lived, breathed, and dreamed about receiving our first Holy Eucharist.

My Protestant family members sat in the congregation. Most had never attended a mass before, much less stepped inside a Catholic Church, so they didn't expect such a lengthy Easter Vigil.  Seven scripture readings later, followed by hymns and the traditional Litany of Saints, we reached Baptism and Confirmation.  When our pastor placed chrism on my forehead, saying my confirmation name Mary Magdalene, peace surrounded my heart.  Later when Holy Communion reached my lips joy overwhelmed my converted heart.

At the age of 24, I couldn't believe I waited so long to become Catholic.  In some ways I wish I had been born a cradle Catholic.  But, then again, I may have lapsed away instead of falling head-over-heels-in-love with the Catholic faith!

The Easter Tomb, Circa 1 A.D  Mary Magdalene and her companions entered Christ's darkened tomb with sadness in their hearts and spices in hand ready to anoint Jesus' body according to Jewish burial custom.  What did Mary see instead of a corpse wrapped in linen?  A young man clothed in a white robe; not just any ordinary man but an angel.

Where did Christ's body go?  Did looters steal it for the Jerusalem black market?  Where is Our Lord that we loved so much?!

Mary Magdalene experienced her own Easter excitement after hearing the news that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead.  In fact, God blessed her with the honorable task of proclaiming the amazing news to Peter and the other disciples.

Mary Magdalene, although a woman, was highly respected by the community as well as the disciples. No question she was a Disciple herself!

Easter 2015    A darkened sanctuary transforms into a lighted one as "The Gloria" is sung in full fan fare.  Joyfulness embodies the church from ceiling to floors and from windows to doors. The Lord has Risen!  What an incredible occasion for triumph celebration!  

The Lenten penance has drawn to a close. Hopefully we changed ourselves for the better, resisting sinful habits and adopting healthy ones.  Now we celebrate Easter with a contagious excitement! Catholics throughout the world fill pews to overflowing, singing and praising to the Lord Almighty.  How beautiful to witness the smiles, the handshakes, and the hugs.  For some people, this may be the only Catholic mass they attend all year long.  Let us welcome them with warmth and a hardy invitation to join us again soon....

Who can resist the the wisdom embodied in Holy Scripture and the healing power of the Holy Eucharist?!

"On the third day, the friends of Christ, coming at daybreak to the place, found the grave empty, and the stone rolled away. In varying ways they realized the new wonder; but even they hardly realized that the world had died in the night. What they were looking at was the first day of a new creation, with a new heaven and a new earth....."  - GK Chesterton, "The Everlasting Man"

Happy Easter!!

-J.

A Modern-Day Calvary: Praying for Life

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion

Gospel of John 18:1-19:42

After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to his mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

I just returned from a Good Friday "Modern-Day Calvary" prayer service at an abortion facility. I have not prayed in front of such a clinic in over 10 years, so I was a little nervous what to expect.

The newly-built clinic is only 12 miles from my house, but it took forever to get there.  I hit every red light and even a train crossing.  My heart pound and raced as I wondered what this "surgical center" looked like. The one I used to go to, now closed down and demolished, was unsightly and literally reeked of death.....  

I parked over at a Baptist Church across the street from the clinic.  I noticed an awesome sign displaying the following words:  "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down. Happy Easter"  

"Amen!" I smiled thinking, "How true!  And you can't keep Pro-Lifers away from an abortion mill if moms and babies can be saved!"

Hundreds of pro-lifers (all ages) lined up along the sidewalk in front of the surgical center.  It's facade is clean and modern looking.  Nobody driving by would even know that late-term abortions are performed there EXCEPT for the string of pro-life signage and white crosses lining the sidewalk. 42 crosses displayed in a row =  the number of years abortion has been legal in the United States.

The white cross I stood at just so happen to have been broken in half.  It was for the year 1997.  I suspect a vandal must have walked by and tore it up in an ignorant effort to prove a point.  Right behind that torn up cross displayed an even bigger wooden cross propped up next to a tree.  

The group began the prayer service with the Pro-Life Stations of the Cross.  Then we transitioned into the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. We sang Easter-related hymns in between the mysteries.  The service concluded with a recitation of the Divine Mercy chaplet.  

The most interesting part of the hour and half prayer service was witnessing the reactions of cars driving by.  Several cars displayed their approval with double beeps (the happy honk!) and either a wave or a thumbs up.  At one point a school bus full of kids drove by!!  The driver honked and waved while the children waved, too.  Midway through the rosary, a paramedic truck sped by with horns blasting.  However, when they came up to our peaceful praying they silenced their sirens!  I thought, "Wow, what a courteous thing to do."

Of course, a few jerks (mostly men) drove down the busy street honking their horns full blast in order to drown us out.  The lovely middle finger showed up a couple of times.  I couldn't help but laugh at one guy giving us the "You're loony!" symbol with one hand as he took a smartphone pic with the other.  Aren't both hands supposed to be on the steering wheel when driving?  Oh boy...

We didn't let the naysayers bother us.  In fact, I couldn't help but laugh at their ridiculous antics!  We kept praying and singing, knowing we were doing this not only in remembrance of the crucifixion of Our Lord but also in recognition of the crucifixion of legalized abortion.

So many smiling faces as pro-lifers gathered together and in such beautiful weather! I was glad to be a part of such a beautiful event.

Blessings this Good Friday!

-J.

Washing of the Feet: A Humble Act of Love and Service

Holy Thursday 2015

Gospel of John 13:1-15

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Master, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“What I am doing, you do not understand now,
but you will understand later.”
Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered him,
“Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”

Back in biblical times, washing of the feet was an act of love and service. People walked everywhere exposing their callused and aching feet to endless heat, dust, and rock.  Whenever a guest entered a person's home, washing the feet signified the ultimate welcome.

 The Disciples never imagined the Lord washing their own feet.   Jesus was their master and teacher, not a slave or a servant.  I see Peter's face as Jesus prepared the towel, bowl and water.  He's surprised and confused, a little standoffish. Shouldn't he be the one to wash the a Lord's feet and not the other way around??  

I remember as an RCIA candidate 17 years ago undergoing the foot washing ceremony.  It was such a beautiful experience.  I felt like a queen in front of the congregation as our pastor poured the lukewarm water on my toes and dried them with a white towel.  I thought, "What if Jesus washed my feet in person?  Would I be moved to tears like I am today?  Peter may not want his feet washed by Our Lord, but I'd welcome the act.  Jesus won't be with us much longer as he keeps hinting!  Let him do as he pleases!"

Our Lord calls us to follow his lead, performing humble and loving acts of service toward others.   The best place to start is in our own parish communities.  Volunteer in the grieving ministry.  Give communion to the sick in local hospitals.  Sign up to serve as a mass greeter.  Volunteer as a Catechist.  Make an anonymous donation toward a much needed item in the parish.  Overall, commit to do something in humble service.  However insignificant we may think it is, serving others shower buckets full of blessings!

On this a Holy Thursday, along with the ceremonial foot washing we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist.  By far this is the most important component of our Catholic Faith!  

I return once again to Francis Fenelon who wrote a meditation about Holy Thursday and the Eucharist. Here is an excerpt:

"Jesus, eternal wisdom, you are hidden in this Sacramebt, and it is there that I worship you today.  How I love this day on which you gave yourself completely to the Apostles!  What am I saying?-just to the apostles?  No, you gave yourself no less to us as to them.  What a precious gift, a gift that has been renewed every day for so many centuries, a gift that will endure without interruption as long as the world exists!  What a token of goodness of the Father of mercies!  What a sacrament of love is this bread that is above all substance!"

Amen!  

-J.

The Betrayer Revealed

Wednesday of Holy Week

Gospel of Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said,
“What are you willing to give me
if I hand him over to you?”
They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

Today is April Fools' Day.   Did anyone play any pranks or get fooled?  I must say I was duped at work this morning. My boss announced to the team, "I wanted to let you guys know I've just accepted a job offer with another company."  My heart literally stopped for a few seconds.  What?  Another manager leaving? Oh boy...

 "April fools!!" My boss said with a smile, "I'm only joking!  I'm not leaving!......."

Judas Iscariot didn't  joke around when he asked the chief priests the price for handing over Jesus to the authorities.  We see Judas' obsession with money throughout the gospel readings.  He held the money bag and often skimmed off the top.  He criticized Mary for using expensive oil to anoint Jesus' feet instead of giving the money to the poor.  If we examine  Judas actions more closely, we will see a man secretly hungering for wealth and power. 

Judas may have thought being a part of Christ's "posse" was of tremendous benefit.  He received free food as well as room and board wherever Jesus and the Disciples ministered.  He was given control over donations, so he could steal a little here and there for his own benefit.  Yet, as Jesus became more popular and showed his true divinity, Judas' jealousy and resentment built up to enormous proportions.  Judas realized there was no way he could ever be as powerful as Jesus Christ.  What better way to get rid of the "competition" than to have Jesus arrested?

I think the greatest of all April "fools"  is Judas.  Sadly, he realized his horrible mistake and later killed himself.....Two deaths (Jesus + Judas) for the equivalent of only 30 pieces of silver!  

Life is by far more precious than any amount of gold, silver...or bitcoins!!  Even to this day, people pay thousands of dollars to hire a hitmen to kill.  Excuses range from "an annoying neighbor's dog" to "revenge against a person who has wronged me" to "the person is just a nuisance." My stomach turns over and over again when I think of someone hiring someone else to murder a human being!  Murder is wrong.  Killing is wrong.  Leave death alone and let God handle it!!

Judas Iscariot is such an interesting character.  What drove him to so much jealousy? He had it all! I'm convinced before he let evil take over his heart that he loved Christ and believed in his message!  I believe he was a troubled soul that could have been healed by Jesus himself.  However, God the Father already planned out Jesus' death, and he chose Judas as the catalyst.  It was all in the cards.

If it wasn't for Judas' betrayal, Jesus' humiliating Passion, and the Resurrection of Our Lord, salvation history would not have turned out the same!

Is Judas Iscariot up in Heaven with the other Disciples or is he in the fires of Hell?  Interesting question to ponder as we prepare for Holy Thursday and the celebration of the Last Supper.

-J.