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.
Do this in remembrance of me. (1 Cor 11:23-26)
You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. (Jn 13:1-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041725-Supper.cfm
As we enter the Paschal Mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our celebration today doesn’t end until we finish the Easter Vigil, and then it will continue throughout the next 50 days of Easter! Let us gently wash one another’s feet. Let us remember those who have gone before us and await the Easter that never ends. Let us work for justice that brings lasting peace. And let us love one another as he has loved us all. https://youtu.be/mgdIspwSjgY?si=riL8tWuaw8OibBfG
And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. (Is 50:4-9a)
Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?" He answered, "You have said so." (Mt 26:14-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041625.cfm
Today we have another of the Servant Songs that the church has always applied to Jesus. And of course, this is Spy Wednesday when the betrayal by Judas is front and center and is revealed in all the mini-betrayals we have committed in our lives.
It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Is 49:1-6)
Peter said to him, "Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times." (Jn 13:21-33,36-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041525.cfm
The four Servant Songs from the Prophet Isaiah are an essential part of the Liturgies of Holy Week. The early church saw their fulfillment in the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. Peter’s denials deeply troubles all of us since we know that are capable of denying the Lord daily.
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him. (Jn 12:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041425.cfm
The plot to kill Lazarus is always a shocker. Even more, the other gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) erase any mention of Lazarus. We are not sure why this silence about the raising of Lazarus, one of the greatest “signs” that Jesus worked. There’s no substitute to actually reading the gospel texts. The Word invites us to follow the Lord each day of this Holy Week.
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 22:14-23:56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041325.cfm
There is a marvelous film called, Of Gods and Men (2010) which tells the story of the Trappist monks who were martyred in Algeria in 1996. The abbot writes a thank-you letter to the terrorist who would murder him: “Yes, to you as well I address this thank you and this goodbye. May we meet again, happy thieves in Paradise, if it pleases God the Father of us both. Amen. Insha'Allah.” The video is the last supper scene that these monks would share together. The seven monks were beatified in 2018.
https://youtu.be/rrYLJzA1eNs
