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.
I gave my back to those who beat me; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. (Is 50:4-9a)
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?" (Mt 26:14-25)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040523.cfm
As we enter more deeply into Holy Week, it is important that we remember the words of the Second Vatican Council (1965): “What happened in His passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today.” The Council cautioned that “the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God.” Finally, the Council added: in her rejection of every persecution against any man, the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved by the Gospel's spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone” (Nostra Aetate, 4).
I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. (Is 49:1-6)
One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus' side. (Jn 13:21-33, 36-38)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040423.cfm
A central figure of the Fourth Gospel (the one we call “According to John”) is the Beloved Disciple. In the Upper Room, it is the Beloved Disciple, not Peter or John or any of the others who is closest to Jesus. Although generally considered to be anonymous, perhaps the Beloved Disciple is actually named by the gospel writer in chapter 11. Nevertheless, the Beloved Disciple stands in for all of us, the beloved disciples of the Lord. The second Servant Song reminds us that the light is to “reach to the ends of the earth.”
Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. (Is 42:1-7)
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/040323.cfm
There are four Songs of the Servant of the Lord in the Prophecy of Isaiah. They are assigned to Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. On Good Friday we will hear the fourth song, the Song of the Suffering Servant. These songs were used extensively in the preaching of the early church. Today’s song echoes the voice heard at the Baptism of Jesus. The dinner in the home of Bethany takes on added significance with the meal that Martha serves, the extravagant gesture of the anointing of Jesus by Mary, and then the plot to kill Lazarus.
A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away." At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly. (Mt 26:14-27:66)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040223.cfm
Peter’s anguish over his denials breaks the hearts of all believers because we’ve all been there. Perhaps not in some grand gesture of rejection, but in the many little daily denials. But mercy surrounds us, every moment of our lives and gives us the grace to extend that mercy to others. To love as Jesus has loved us all. May this Holy Week before us be filled with grace and renewal to ministry and service of God’s people.
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/040123.cfm
Of course Jesus will go up to Jerusalem to accomplish the work of our salvation. This Saturday before Palm Sunday we remember the Virgin Mary, la Madre Dolorosa, who faithfully followed her Son on his sorrowful journey and stood beneath his Cross.
