These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Christ Jesus humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:6-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032424.cfm
And so the Great Week begins. As we prepare to celebrate the Sacred Triduum (the Three Days), you will all be in my prayers and Masses. May this special time of grace renew us in the image and likeness of the Risen Lord.
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” (Jn 11:45-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032324.cfm
Will he or won’t he go to Jerusalem for the feast? Of course Jesus will go to Jerusalem to accomplish his great work, the work of our salvation. The Mother of Jesus and all the beloved disciples, we will be there, too.
Verse Before the Gospel
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life. (Jn 6)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032224.cfm
Opposition to the Gospel simply reminds us of where we receive our strength, from the One whose words are Spirit and life, from the One who has the words of everlasting life.
Jesus answered, “Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area. (Jn 8:51-59)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032124.cfm
An interesting detail about Jesus’ age is revealed in this passage, “You are not yet fifty years old.” Traditionally the Lord was about 30-35 years old at the time of his Passion and Resurrection. Of course, the solemn declaration, “Before Abraham came to be, I AM,” gets him into trouble. I AM is a reference to the Divine Name.
Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants who trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God." (Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032024.cfm
I grew up with the story of the three youths in the fiery furnace singing the praises of God. The Canticle of the Three Youths is a favorite. The Canticle goes on to invite all creation, including mountains and hills, dolphins and all water creatures, beasts wild and tame, to give “glory and praise forever!”
