An online Community for Prayerful Scripture Reflection.
During this time, when many of our usual ways of expressing our Faith have been removed, and we can no longer gather together due to the Coronavirus, it is all the more important that we find ways to invest in our relationships with God and each other.
Here is one small way that we can communicate our faith and support each other whilst encouraging daily prayer with a Scriptural focus. It is also a great way for people who are usually involved with Metanoia Project groups and events to keep in touch and continue to feel part of the Metanoia family as well as the wider Church community.
God wants to speak to us all and has given us His Word as a constant source of life and relationship with Him. The aim of this group is to encourage each other to spend time each day praying with Scripture and allowing God to speak to us. Please then share your thoughts, questions and reflections to help us all hear from our Loving Father.
Metanoia Project ‘The God Who Speaks’ Scripture Reflection Group
**Today we hear Christine’s thoughts on the day’s Gospel.**
**Please join in and share your thoughts too !**
**Gospel**
**John 14:23-29**
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.’
**Reflection**
Today we hear part of the farewell discourse that Jesus gave to his disciples at The Last Supper.
Jesus said “peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”. When we look at our world there is such a lack of peace, with the war in Ukraine and wars happening in other parts of the world. Even in our own country we see conflict, anger, disharmony, uncertainty, fear. I know families where there is disunity and misunderstandings. In our own hearts there can be a lack of peace, perhaps fear, anxiety, anger, unforgiveness, etc.
So where is this peace that Jesus talks about and how do we experience it?
The Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’, which is used as a greeting and a farewell used Jews. It’s meaning involves everything necessary to have deep down peace. It means reconciliation with God, harmony and wholeness. This is the peace Jesus talks of.
When we go back to the beginning of creation, the garden was a place of peace and harmony with God. God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve and was in close relationship with them. But sin came into the world through their disobedience and lack of trust and everything changed.
Jesus came to bring back that harmony and to give us peace with God. When Jesus died on the cross, he took all the sin (past, present and future) on himself and when he rose from the dead he conquered sin and death. He made a way for us to be reconciled with God, and for peace and relationship with God to be restored. It’s a free gift but one we need to receive. No matter what sin we have committed there is forgiveness and healing when we bring it to Jesus.
As well as peace **with** God, Jesus gives us peace **in** God. “If anyone loves me he will keep my word and the Father will love him and we shall come to him and make our home with him”. We are given the presence of God to live in us so we are never alone. Peace is not the absence of trouble, there will be difficulties in this life as we all know, but it is the presence of God with us. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “cast your cares on him (Jesus) because he cares for you”. We all need God. St Augustine said, “you made us for yourself O God and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”. Do I come to Jesus with my difficulties, or do I seek peace from other people and worldly things – “the peace the world cannot give”?
Jesus said to keep his word. He has given us his word to follow and this word brings life and peace. So, what is his word? When we read the scriptures we learn about Jesus, we read the promises that we have as followers of Christ and we receive instruction on how to live. We hear Jesus say to love our enemies, to forgive, to serve and bless others, to trust in God, to not fear, to pray – the list goes on. When we spend time reading and reflecting on Jesus’ words, they become part of us so that we don’t just listen but we start doing and living them. When we follow Jesus’ word we live in peace with God and also with others. Imagine this world if everyone loved their enemies and forgave those who hurt them. But it starts with me. Do I truly keep Jesus’ word and live it?
God knows we need help to live his word and it’s not something we have to do on our own, in our own strength. He has sent us the Holy Spirit as Jesus said, “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you”.
Advocate means the one who comes alongside, who helps and supports. The Holy Spirit is with us to help, guide and teach us how to love and have peace. Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
As we approach Pentecost it is a good time to renew our relationship with the Holy Spirit. To ask him to help us experience the peace that Jesus promised and to come to know his friendship, love, support and guidance more in our lives. He does speak to us and wants us to call on him. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God to us, so we are never on our own.
“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen”
- Christine
**Please join in and share your thoughts too !**
**Gospel**
**John 14:23-29**
Jesus said to his disciples:
‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make our home with him.
Those who do not love me do not keep my words.
And my word is not my own:
it is the word of the one who sent me.
I have said these things to you while still with you;
but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything
and remind you of all I have said to you.
Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.
If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I.
I have told you this now before it happens,
so that when it does happen you may believe.’
**Reflection**
Today we hear part of the farewell discourse that Jesus gave to his disciples at The Last Supper.
Jesus said “peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”. When we look at our world there is such a lack of peace, with the war in Ukraine and wars happening in other parts of the world. Even in our own country we see conflict, anger, disharmony, uncertainty, fear. I know families where there is disunity and misunderstandings. In our own hearts there can be a lack of peace, perhaps fear, anxiety, anger, unforgiveness, etc.
So where is this peace that Jesus talks about and how do we experience it?
The Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’, which is used as a greeting and a farewell used Jews. It’s meaning involves everything necessary to have deep down peace. It means reconciliation with God, harmony and wholeness. This is the peace Jesus talks of.
When we go back to the beginning of creation, the garden was a place of peace and harmony with God. God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve and was in close relationship with them. But sin came into the world through their disobedience and lack of trust and everything changed.
Jesus came to bring back that harmony and to give us peace with God. When Jesus died on the cross, he took all the sin (past, present and future) on himself and when he rose from the dead he conquered sin and death. He made a way for us to be reconciled with God, and for peace and relationship with God to be restored. It’s a free gift but one we need to receive. No matter what sin we have committed there is forgiveness and healing when we bring it to Jesus.
As well as peace **with** God, Jesus gives us peace **in** God. “If anyone loves me he will keep my word and the Father will love him and we shall come to him and make our home with him”. We are given the presence of God to live in us so we are never alone. Peace is not the absence of trouble, there will be difficulties in this life as we all know, but it is the presence of God with us. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “cast your cares on him (Jesus) because he cares for you”. We all need God. St Augustine said, “you made us for yourself O God and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”. Do I come to Jesus with my difficulties, or do I seek peace from other people and worldly things – “the peace the world cannot give”?
Jesus said to keep his word. He has given us his word to follow and this word brings life and peace. So, what is his word? When we read the scriptures we learn about Jesus, we read the promises that we have as followers of Christ and we receive instruction on how to live. We hear Jesus say to love our enemies, to forgive, to serve and bless others, to trust in God, to not fear, to pray – the list goes on. When we spend time reading and reflecting on Jesus’ words, they become part of us so that we don’t just listen but we start doing and living them. When we follow Jesus’ word we live in peace with God and also with others. Imagine this world if everyone loved their enemies and forgave those who hurt them. But it starts with me. Do I truly keep Jesus’ word and live it?
God knows we need help to live his word and it’s not something we have to do on our own, in our own strength. He has sent us the Holy Spirit as Jesus said, “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you”.
Advocate means the one who comes alongside, who helps and supports. The Holy Spirit is with us to help, guide and teach us how to love and have peace. Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
As we approach Pentecost it is a good time to renew our relationship with the Holy Spirit. To ask him to help us experience the peace that Jesus promised and to come to know his friendship, love, support and guidance more in our lives. He does speak to us and wants us to call on him. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God to us, so we are never on our own.
“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen”
- Christine
**Each week a member of the Metanoia Community shares their thoughts on the day’s Gospel. Today Tony shares with us all. Thank you Tony.**
**How do you hear today’s Word? What is God asking us to do?**
**Please share so we can all grow together in God’s Word**
**Gospel**
**John 13:31-33,34-35**
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
**Reflection.**
Love is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. The gift of love we have in us is to be shown to everyone.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives me a very important new commandment. To love my fellow disciples as Jesus has loved me. Jesus is talking to me in this reading, yes me and also you and the whole discipleship Of Jesus, everyone! . It is a personal commandment given to the person reading or listening to the Gospel reading. We have been called to love one another so that the world will recognize us has followers of Jesus Christ. The Son of God who loves me so much came down from Heaven and became man, the sacrificial lamb. He came to teach me the true way to live my life. He died for me because He loves me so much that I may be saved from my sinful ways and that my sins would be truly forgiven. It is not a lot to ask of me to stand out in this world and show my love for my brothers and sisters and be recognized has a loving follower of Jesus Christ.
I often wonder what the world would be like if we greeted everyone with the spiritual love God has given us. I personally would love to greet my fellow brother and sisters in Christ by greeting them as we meet, ‘may our Lord’s blessing be with you’ and hopefully receive a reply, ‘and may His blessings be with you too. It would be more amazing if I had the confidence to greet followers of the world with the same greeting, it would open an opportunity to proclaim the Good News of God’s kingdom and to introduce them to Jesus’ teachings to the Church.
What must I do to bring this Gospel reading into my life today? Clearly – to show my love to all my fellow disciples. To learn with them and from them the teaching of our Lord Jesus. To always show myself as a disciple of Jesus when I am with my brothers and sisters in Christ and more so when I am with friends who follow the ways of the world. In doing so they may know me as a true follower of Jesus Christ and I’ll hopefully encourage them to want to know more how we has Christians live in the way of God’s teachings. To give help with love to all who may need it, be it through works of kindness or in prayer time with them or just spending time listening to what they need to talk about even if I feel I need to be on my own and take a break.
May our Lord Jesus’ blessing be with you.
Tony.
**How do you hear today’s Word? What is God asking us to do?**
**Please share so we can all grow together in God’s Word**
**Gospel**
**John 13:31-33,34-35**
When Judas had gone Jesus said:
‘Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
‘My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples.’
**Reflection.**
Love is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. The gift of love we have in us is to be shown to everyone.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives me a very important new commandment. To love my fellow disciples as Jesus has loved me. Jesus is talking to me in this reading, yes me and also you and the whole discipleship Of Jesus, everyone! . It is a personal commandment given to the person reading or listening to the Gospel reading. We have been called to love one another so that the world will recognize us has followers of Jesus Christ. The Son of God who loves me so much came down from Heaven and became man, the sacrificial lamb. He came to teach me the true way to live my life. He died for me because He loves me so much that I may be saved from my sinful ways and that my sins would be truly forgiven. It is not a lot to ask of me to stand out in this world and show my love for my brothers and sisters and be recognized has a loving follower of Jesus Christ.
I often wonder what the world would be like if we greeted everyone with the spiritual love God has given us. I personally would love to greet my fellow brother and sisters in Christ by greeting them as we meet, ‘may our Lord’s blessing be with you’ and hopefully receive a reply, ‘and may His blessings be with you too. It would be more amazing if I had the confidence to greet followers of the world with the same greeting, it would open an opportunity to proclaim the Good News of God’s kingdom and to introduce them to Jesus’ teachings to the Church.
What must I do to bring this Gospel reading into my life today? Clearly – to show my love to all my fellow disciples. To learn with them and from them the teaching of our Lord Jesus. To always show myself as a disciple of Jesus when I am with my brothers and sisters in Christ and more so when I am with friends who follow the ways of the world. In doing so they may know me as a true follower of Jesus Christ and I’ll hopefully encourage them to want to know more how we has Christians live in the way of God’s teachings. To give help with love to all who may need it, be it through works of kindness or in prayer time with them or just spending time listening to what they need to talk about even if I feel I need to be on my own and take a break.
May our Lord Jesus’ blessing be with you.
Tony.
Here is Nora’s reflection for todays Gospel . We would love you to share your thoughts too!
**Gospel**
**John 10:27-30**
Jesus said:
‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
**Reflection**
"Lead us to a share in the joys of heaven". this is the goal of life, to be with Jesus, to get ourselves and our families and friends to heaven. But how??
Jesus made this a possibility and a reality for us. in the second reading we hear those who have washed their robes white in the blood of the lamb will be with Him in heaven, and will never hunger or thirst again.
In today's gospel, we learn that Jesus gives us eternal life. He is the good shepherd, and we are His flock. We do not get to heaven through our own works, but because we are invited by God. Jesus has made a way for us because He wants us with Him. We are made to be with God for eternity.
So how do we give ourselves and those around us the best chance of a share in eternal life if it is given to us?
Would we expect an invitation to the wedding of somebody we do not know? Or even from someone we just sort of know? Of course we wouldn't! Weddings celebrations are shared with those we love. So if we want to be invited to the greatest wedding feast of all, we had best make sure we know the one giving out the invitations! Make sure God is involved in our lives, get to know Him in our lives and open ourselves up to Him.
When we love people we want to do this things for them. We show or love through our actions. So whilst our own "goodness" will not get us to heaven. Through getting to know God more and allowing Him space to work in us, we will become more like him, thus the way we live and the things we do will be good things.
When we truly love God, we will not want to be separated from Him by anything, separation in love is painful. Therefore we must "wash our robes white" cleanse ourselves from what separates us from Him. We must repent from our sins, Metanoia.
How do we help those around us to share in the joys of heaven? By living our lives with God, those around us will be able to see what a joy it is to live in the truth, to be a disciple, to love and be loved. Also by praying for them!
What does this mean for me and my life today?
It means I need to refocus on prayer. On spending time with Jesus, with my God who loves me and wants to be with me. It means I need to remind myself that I exist to be with God. The things of this world are not important no matter how enticing they may seem. I am made for eternal life. I want eternal life, I want to be with God, at the greatest wedding feast.
It's easier to pray for those around me, but something I still need yo remember to do, and to do more! And to make my life an example of how much God loves.
It's not a quick fix, but if I remind myself today (multiple times) maybe I will remember to refocus tomorrow, and the next day. To Metanoia. Until I join in the party of Heaven for eternity!
-Nora
**Gospel**
**John 10:27-30**
Jesus said:
‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
**Reflection**
"Lead us to a share in the joys of heaven". this is the goal of life, to be with Jesus, to get ourselves and our families and friends to heaven. But how??
Jesus made this a possibility and a reality for us. in the second reading we hear those who have washed their robes white in the blood of the lamb will be with Him in heaven, and will never hunger or thirst again.
In today's gospel, we learn that Jesus gives us eternal life. He is the good shepherd, and we are His flock. We do not get to heaven through our own works, but because we are invited by God. Jesus has made a way for us because He wants us with Him. We are made to be with God for eternity.
So how do we give ourselves and those around us the best chance of a share in eternal life if it is given to us?
Would we expect an invitation to the wedding of somebody we do not know? Or even from someone we just sort of know? Of course we wouldn't! Weddings celebrations are shared with those we love. So if we want to be invited to the greatest wedding feast of all, we had best make sure we know the one giving out the invitations! Make sure God is involved in our lives, get to know Him in our lives and open ourselves up to Him.
When we love people we want to do this things for them. We show or love through our actions. So whilst our own "goodness" will not get us to heaven. Through getting to know God more and allowing Him space to work in us, we will become more like him, thus the way we live and the things we do will be good things.
When we truly love God, we will not want to be separated from Him by anything, separation in love is painful. Therefore we must "wash our robes white" cleanse ourselves from what separates us from Him. We must repent from our sins, Metanoia.
How do we help those around us to share in the joys of heaven? By living our lives with God, those around us will be able to see what a joy it is to live in the truth, to be a disciple, to love and be loved. Also by praying for them!
What does this mean for me and my life today?
It means I need to refocus on prayer. On spending time with Jesus, with my God who loves me and wants to be with me. It means I need to remind myself that I exist to be with God. The things of this world are not important no matter how enticing they may seem. I am made for eternal life. I want eternal life, I want to be with God, at the greatest wedding feast.
It's easier to pray for those around me, but something I still need yo remember to do, and to do more! And to make my life an example of how much God loves.
It's not a quick fix, but if I remind myself today (multiple times) maybe I will remember to refocus tomorrow, and the next day. To Metanoia. Until I join in the party of Heaven for eternity!
-Nora
**Today Jonathan shares his thoughts on the day’s Gospel. Thank you Jonathan. Please comment, like and share your thoughts too!**
**Gospel**
**John 21:1-19**
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’
**Reflection**
Today we enjoy another Resurrection story, another appearance of the Risen Lord. The location is very familiar for the Disciples, right in their comfort zone, out fishing. How often have important events in the Gospel happened in this location! And yet the first thing I really picked up from the reading is that originally no one recognised Jesus! How often do I truly recognise Jesus in the events and people around me everyday? Can I sometimes be blind to Jesus working in my life?
Back to the story and the Disciples had so far failed to catch any fish. Jesus asks them to try again, and they instantly obeyed and then were instantly rewarded with an enormous catch of fish. Jesus calls us to be Disciples and to cast our nets out again and again for the catch of souls to save. The Disciples did as Jesus suggested and we too need to be bold in our mission to share the Good News.
Following the call of Jesus means putting your nets back into the sea even though you are tired and perhaps have perceivably had no success, it means knocking on another door even though you are hoping against hope that no one answers. Telling people that Jesus loves them is the single most important thing anyone and everyone needs to hear. How they respond to that is their choice but planting the seed of faith and hope is part of our mission as Christians.
Finally, I love the image of Jesus and his closest friends sharing a BBQ breakfast by the shoreline, what a scene, what a privilege for those present to enjoy. They didn't dare ask Jesus who he was, they just knew it was the Lord. This again reminds me that Jesus is with us always. He's present with us here and now in so many amazing ways, most specially in the Word and in the Eucharist at Mass. Furthermore, back to the shoreline and it was Jesus who had lovingly prepared the feast, again playing the role of Servant King for us to follow. It seems to be a most beautiful and intimate scene of friends sharing food and precious time together, just like a community of Christians that we are called to be too.
I pray that we can cast our nets of faith out confidently and courageously to speak of the joy of the Resurrection. Equally I pray that we may 'waste' time in communion with the Lord and our community of believers, to enjoy company, fellowship and prayer, to build each other up in zeal for the mission, Amen!
- Jonathan
**Gospel**
**John 21:1-19**
Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.
It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.
As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.
After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
‘I tell you most solemnly,
when you were young
you put on your own belt
and walked where you liked;
but when you grow old
you will stretch out your hands,
and somebody else will put a belt round you
and take you where you would rather not go.’
In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’
**Reflection**
Today we enjoy another Resurrection story, another appearance of the Risen Lord. The location is very familiar for the Disciples, right in their comfort zone, out fishing. How often have important events in the Gospel happened in this location! And yet the first thing I really picked up from the reading is that originally no one recognised Jesus! How often do I truly recognise Jesus in the events and people around me everyday? Can I sometimes be blind to Jesus working in my life?
Back to the story and the Disciples had so far failed to catch any fish. Jesus asks them to try again, and they instantly obeyed and then were instantly rewarded with an enormous catch of fish. Jesus calls us to be Disciples and to cast our nets out again and again for the catch of souls to save. The Disciples did as Jesus suggested and we too need to be bold in our mission to share the Good News.
Following the call of Jesus means putting your nets back into the sea even though you are tired and perhaps have perceivably had no success, it means knocking on another door even though you are hoping against hope that no one answers. Telling people that Jesus loves them is the single most important thing anyone and everyone needs to hear. How they respond to that is their choice but planting the seed of faith and hope is part of our mission as Christians.
Finally, I love the image of Jesus and his closest friends sharing a BBQ breakfast by the shoreline, what a scene, what a privilege for those present to enjoy. They didn't dare ask Jesus who he was, they just knew it was the Lord. This again reminds me that Jesus is with us always. He's present with us here and now in so many amazing ways, most specially in the Word and in the Eucharist at Mass. Furthermore, back to the shoreline and it was Jesus who had lovingly prepared the feast, again playing the role of Servant King for us to follow. It seems to be a most beautiful and intimate scene of friends sharing food and precious time together, just like a community of Christians that we are called to be too.
I pray that we can cast our nets of faith out confidently and courageously to speak of the joy of the Resurrection. Equally I pray that we may 'waste' time in communion with the Lord and our community of believers, to enjoy company, fellowship and prayer, to build each other up in zeal for the mission, Amen!
- Jonathan
**Every week a member of the Metanoia team shares their thoughts on the day's Gospel . Today we hear from Jen **
**Gospel**
**John 20:19-31**
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked, and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
**Reflection**
On Easter Sunday we heard John’s account of Mary Magdalene at the tomb and then on Easter Tuesday how she went to tell the disciples she had ‘seen the Lord’. Today’s Gospel follows straight on from here. She had told the Disciples and we find them here together in the Upper Room.
Today I am hit straight away with the fact the doors were shut, the doors had to be shut, probably locked, as these followers of Jesus were full of fear of the Jews. This group had had a pretty full on few days and once again they choose to remain in the truth, stay together and trust God. Trust whatever was to happen next. This is hard for me to read as I cringe at the times I’ve moaned at God’s plan as it is just too much hard work and so much easier to be like the people of the world. I’m reminded with the fact we aren’t promised easy days following Jesus. Staying in a locked room isn’t easy. I’ve so much to learn – would I lock myself away trusting God will work everything out or would I get on with my old life and dip in / out of God’s plan when it was convenient to me? If I want to follow Jesus 100 percent, I must say yes to a life God wants me to live- a life walking with Jesus every step of the way. A life of obedience. Obedience to God is success.
When Jesus enters the room, he uses the words ‘Peace be with you’, John is echoing John20:24. And where we read that the disciples rejoice (were glad) John is highlighting the words Jesus spoke in John 16:22.
Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on them, just like in Genesis 2:7 where God breathed on the first man and gave him life. Adam’s life came from God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus.
Some say this is John’s account of Pentecost, as there are familiar links with Acts 2 – but here the Spirit comes at Easter.
The disciples tell Thomas they have seen the Lord, they use the same words as Mary Magdalene used. Thomas must see too, so he too can live in the Lord.
We can feel sorry for Thomas as he missed Jesus here and had to wait 8 days until he got to meet Jesus. We know him as Doubting Thomas, I’m made aware how amazing those 8 days must have been for him. Yes, he wasn’t believing, but he surrounded himself with people who did, and they had so much to tell him, and he had so much to learn before he came to meet Jesus. Perhaps this is highlighting the fact that we all experience Jesus at different times and if our lives are to be changed by this encounter, we must continue to share it with all those we meet – even the doubters – because one day they will see and believe too. It is our mission as followers of Jesus to tell people we have seen the Lord, so they too are desperate to see Him.
Thomas does see Jesus and we read he goes further than anyone else in this narrative by calling Jesus ‘My Lord and my God’. I’m blown away with how he must have felt and how his friends must have been so thankful that finally Thomas didn’t doubt anymore.
Reading this scripture places me right in this situation today – I wonder if I spend too many days locked away in a room with followers of Jesus because it is safe, instead of being filled with the Holy Spirit, opening the doors and letting Jesus lead me to the doubters. I wonder who I need to talk to about where, when and how I meet Jesus and I question if most days that is just too hard. Then I’m reminded of the people who introduced me to Jesus, who lives shone so brightly that I wanted to be a part of that too. I thank God for the people who drove me to conferences, sent me you tube links, put books through my front door, prayed over me, invited me into a community, opened my eyes to what Jesus was offering , so I, like Thomas, stopped doubting, met Jesus and came to live a life knowing that He is my Lord and my God.
I commit again boldly to say yes to a life saying yes! Wanting to be filled with the Holy Spirit, yes to a spirit led life, so wherever I go and whoever’s path I cross I can declare in my actions, in my mannerisms, in my words that Jesus is alive, he took away my fear, he made me new and he wants to do the same to you – “ I have seen the Lord”
So, this week go back to that moment where you first met Jesus, remember how you felt before and how you felt after. Remember who was with you and what they said and did. What word was spoken over you? How did you feel His presence? Your testimony is beautiful, sharing what Jesus has done for you is beautiful. Letting others encounter the Truth is beautiful. A world where all see Jesus will be beautiful.
Just like we read in today’s first reading, ‘the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily’ , I will spend my days praising God and thanking Him when others join me . I have' life in His name' and never ever want to lock that away.
- Jen
**Gospel**
**John 20:19-31**
In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.
‘As the Father sent me,
so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.
For those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.’
Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:
‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked, and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.
**Reflection**
On Easter Sunday we heard John’s account of Mary Magdalene at the tomb and then on Easter Tuesday how she went to tell the disciples she had ‘seen the Lord’. Today’s Gospel follows straight on from here. She had told the Disciples and we find them here together in the Upper Room.
Today I am hit straight away with the fact the doors were shut, the doors had to be shut, probably locked, as these followers of Jesus were full of fear of the Jews. This group had had a pretty full on few days and once again they choose to remain in the truth, stay together and trust God. Trust whatever was to happen next. This is hard for me to read as I cringe at the times I’ve moaned at God’s plan as it is just too much hard work and so much easier to be like the people of the world. I’m reminded with the fact we aren’t promised easy days following Jesus. Staying in a locked room isn’t easy. I’ve so much to learn – would I lock myself away trusting God will work everything out or would I get on with my old life and dip in / out of God’s plan when it was convenient to me? If I want to follow Jesus 100 percent, I must say yes to a life God wants me to live- a life walking with Jesus every step of the way. A life of obedience. Obedience to God is success.
When Jesus enters the room, he uses the words ‘Peace be with you’, John is echoing John20:24. And where we read that the disciples rejoice (were glad) John is highlighting the words Jesus spoke in John 16:22.
Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on them, just like in Genesis 2:7 where God breathed on the first man and gave him life. Adam’s life came from God, so now the disciples’ new spiritual life comes from Jesus.
Some say this is John’s account of Pentecost, as there are familiar links with Acts 2 – but here the Spirit comes at Easter.
The disciples tell Thomas they have seen the Lord, they use the same words as Mary Magdalene used. Thomas must see too, so he too can live in the Lord.
We can feel sorry for Thomas as he missed Jesus here and had to wait 8 days until he got to meet Jesus. We know him as Doubting Thomas, I’m made aware how amazing those 8 days must have been for him. Yes, he wasn’t believing, but he surrounded himself with people who did, and they had so much to tell him, and he had so much to learn before he came to meet Jesus. Perhaps this is highlighting the fact that we all experience Jesus at different times and if our lives are to be changed by this encounter, we must continue to share it with all those we meet – even the doubters – because one day they will see and believe too. It is our mission as followers of Jesus to tell people we have seen the Lord, so they too are desperate to see Him.
Thomas does see Jesus and we read he goes further than anyone else in this narrative by calling Jesus ‘My Lord and my God’. I’m blown away with how he must have felt and how his friends must have been so thankful that finally Thomas didn’t doubt anymore.
Reading this scripture places me right in this situation today – I wonder if I spend too many days locked away in a room with followers of Jesus because it is safe, instead of being filled with the Holy Spirit, opening the doors and letting Jesus lead me to the doubters. I wonder who I need to talk to about where, when and how I meet Jesus and I question if most days that is just too hard. Then I’m reminded of the people who introduced me to Jesus, who lives shone so brightly that I wanted to be a part of that too. I thank God for the people who drove me to conferences, sent me you tube links, put books through my front door, prayed over me, invited me into a community, opened my eyes to what Jesus was offering , so I, like Thomas, stopped doubting, met Jesus and came to live a life knowing that He is my Lord and my God.
I commit again boldly to say yes to a life saying yes! Wanting to be filled with the Holy Spirit, yes to a spirit led life, so wherever I go and whoever’s path I cross I can declare in my actions, in my mannerisms, in my words that Jesus is alive, he took away my fear, he made me new and he wants to do the same to you – “ I have seen the Lord”
So, this week go back to that moment where you first met Jesus, remember how you felt before and how you felt after. Remember who was with you and what they said and did. What word was spoken over you? How did you feel His presence? Your testimony is beautiful, sharing what Jesus has done for you is beautiful. Letting others encounter the Truth is beautiful. A world where all see Jesus will be beautiful.
Just like we read in today’s first reading, ‘the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily’ , I will spend my days praising God and thanking Him when others join me . I have' life in His name' and never ever want to lock that away.
- Jen
**Gospel for Sunday 17th April 2022, Easter Sunday: John 20:1-9**
**Here are a few thoughts to help you enter into this wonderful day of resurrection. We hope you will find it useful!**
**Gospel**
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
**Reflection**
Happy Easter - He is risen as He said! How easily we can say these words today, yet our words cannot even begin to express the gravity and magnitude of what actually happened!
The line that really struck me from the Gospel this morning was ‘Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.’ I don’t think my first thought on seeing an empty tomb would have been that the person missing had risen from the dead. I would be panicking, like Mary does in this account, that the body had been stolen or moved for some inexplicable purpose. I would definitely consider every other possible scenario before even beginning to contemplate that a dead body was no longer dead but fully alive. John does not comment on what Peter is thinking, only that he is the first to enter the tomb and see the grave clothes and that he then goes home. But John does make it clear that he, the ‘other disciple’ believes after entering the tomb. It is in this moment that everything Jesus has taught them becomes clear to John. So, what is it that makes him so certain?
There are a couple of thoughts I have. Firstly, Jesus was raised to life by the Holy Spirit. Imagine the holiness and presence of God lingering in the empty tomb even after Jesus is no longer there! Maybe John was convinced by the Holy Spirit in that moment; ‘a lightbulb moment’ as so many of us have experienced when everything we have heard suddenly makes sense in a way we cannot necessarily understand or express.
Secondly, there is a less supernatural possibility. John gives us quite a bit of detail about the grave clothes and where they are situated. It seems a strange detail to notice in a moment of such drama. So, what should we understand from these details? There was a Hebrew tradition of that day that was to do with the master and servant. Every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant would not dare touch the table until the master was finished. Now if the master was finished eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers and mouth, clean his beard, and wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m finished.” But if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because the folded napkin meant, “I'm coming back!” With Jesus’ grave clothes (both crumpled and folded) we see that He is both finished the task He set out to do: ‘It is accomplished’ (John19:30) and that death was not the end. He is coming back!
Perhaps it is a combination of both of these things that convince John that Jesus is alive even though he saw Him die brutally and definitively a couple of days before. But whatever it is, John, and soon after all the disciples believe to the point of their own deaths, that Jesus is truly alive. And let’s make sure we understand what this means: This isn’t just resuscitation like we saw for Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter and the son of the widow of Nain, they were certainly raised to life, but they would go on to die again. No, Jesus is resurrected – He has beaten death and it no longer has any hold on Him. It cannot affect Him in any way, and He certainly cannot and will not die again. We can say with confidence that Jesus is alive, as alive now, today, as He was on that first morning after His resurrection. Death has lost its sting and its power.
And the best news is that Jesus won this for us too. In the Collect at the start of Mass the priest prayed: ‘You have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity’. We would all be dead for ever if it wasn’t for this moment. Heaven was not a possibility for anyone (not even the really holy, chosen people we read about in the Old Testament like Abraham and Moses, so what chance would any of us have!) But, because of Jesus’ resurrection, we too have access to eternal life. We can live forever with God! Death has no power of us now either and we can truly understand why St Paul in our 2nd reading today says of Jesus: ‘He is your life’.
So, what does this lead us to? Well, we can see exactly what it led the disciples to just by looking at our 1st reading taken from Acts of the Apostles. St Peter is exclaiming ‘Now we are those witnesses’ - we have seen this for ourselves, and we are telling you our first-hand experience! Just as an aside, I love that he says, ‘We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead’. Jesus didn’t return all high and mighty and untouchable but still chose to share meals with His disciples, such an intimate and beautiful image. But back to the main point… the disciples couldn’t help but tell everyone they possibly could about this amazing news. Their lives had been transformed by the One Who is Life. Our lives too can be transformed, we too can have first-hand experience of Jesus that we can and should share with everyone we meet. This is what our Christian faith is all about, so let’s pray for a deeper, personal encounter with the Risen Lord this Easter so we can proclaim with the psalmist ‘I shall not die, I shall live and recount His deeds’.
I will end with the words with which we started Mass this morning. Through the beautiful entrance antiphon Jesus says to each one of us ‘I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia!’
- Ruth
**Here are a few thoughts to help you enter into this wonderful day of resurrection. We hope you will find it useful!**
**Gospel**
It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
**Reflection**
Happy Easter - He is risen as He said! How easily we can say these words today, yet our words cannot even begin to express the gravity and magnitude of what actually happened!
The line that really struck me from the Gospel this morning was ‘Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.’ I don’t think my first thought on seeing an empty tomb would have been that the person missing had risen from the dead. I would be panicking, like Mary does in this account, that the body had been stolen or moved for some inexplicable purpose. I would definitely consider every other possible scenario before even beginning to contemplate that a dead body was no longer dead but fully alive. John does not comment on what Peter is thinking, only that he is the first to enter the tomb and see the grave clothes and that he then goes home. But John does make it clear that he, the ‘other disciple’ believes after entering the tomb. It is in this moment that everything Jesus has taught them becomes clear to John. So, what is it that makes him so certain?
There are a couple of thoughts I have. Firstly, Jesus was raised to life by the Holy Spirit. Imagine the holiness and presence of God lingering in the empty tomb even after Jesus is no longer there! Maybe John was convinced by the Holy Spirit in that moment; ‘a lightbulb moment’ as so many of us have experienced when everything we have heard suddenly makes sense in a way we cannot necessarily understand or express.
Secondly, there is a less supernatural possibility. John gives us quite a bit of detail about the grave clothes and where they are situated. It seems a strange detail to notice in a moment of such drama. So, what should we understand from these details? There was a Hebrew tradition of that day that was to do with the master and servant. Every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating. The servant would not dare touch the table until the master was finished. Now if the master was finished eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers and mouth, clean his beard, and wad up the napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m finished.” But if the master got up from the table, folded his napkin and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because the folded napkin meant, “I'm coming back!” With Jesus’ grave clothes (both crumpled and folded) we see that He is both finished the task He set out to do: ‘It is accomplished’ (John19:30) and that death was not the end. He is coming back!
Perhaps it is a combination of both of these things that convince John that Jesus is alive even though he saw Him die brutally and definitively a couple of days before. But whatever it is, John, and soon after all the disciples believe to the point of their own deaths, that Jesus is truly alive. And let’s make sure we understand what this means: This isn’t just resuscitation like we saw for Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter and the son of the widow of Nain, they were certainly raised to life, but they would go on to die again. No, Jesus is resurrected – He has beaten death and it no longer has any hold on Him. It cannot affect Him in any way, and He certainly cannot and will not die again. We can say with confidence that Jesus is alive, as alive now, today, as He was on that first morning after His resurrection. Death has lost its sting and its power.
And the best news is that Jesus won this for us too. In the Collect at the start of Mass the priest prayed: ‘You have conquered death and unlocked for us the path to eternity’. We would all be dead for ever if it wasn’t for this moment. Heaven was not a possibility for anyone (not even the really holy, chosen people we read about in the Old Testament like Abraham and Moses, so what chance would any of us have!) But, because of Jesus’ resurrection, we too have access to eternal life. We can live forever with God! Death has no power of us now either and we can truly understand why St Paul in our 2nd reading today says of Jesus: ‘He is your life’.
So, what does this lead us to? Well, we can see exactly what it led the disciples to just by looking at our 1st reading taken from Acts of the Apostles. St Peter is exclaiming ‘Now we are those witnesses’ - we have seen this for ourselves, and we are telling you our first-hand experience! Just as an aside, I love that he says, ‘We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead’. Jesus didn’t return all high and mighty and untouchable but still chose to share meals with His disciples, such an intimate and beautiful image. But back to the main point… the disciples couldn’t help but tell everyone they possibly could about this amazing news. Their lives had been transformed by the One Who is Life. Our lives too can be transformed, we too can have first-hand experience of Jesus that we can and should share with everyone we meet. This is what our Christian faith is all about, so let’s pray for a deeper, personal encounter with the Risen Lord this Easter so we can proclaim with the psalmist ‘I shall not die, I shall live and recount His deeds’.
I will end with the words with which we started Mass this morning. Through the beautiful entrance antiphon Jesus says to each one of us ‘I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia!’
- Ruth
**Gospel**
**Luke 22:14-23:56**
**The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke**
*Key: N. Narrator. ***✠*** Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.*
**N.** When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them,
**✠** I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
**N.** Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said,
**✠** Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.
**N.** Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying,
**✠** This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me.
**N.** He did the same with the cup after supper, and said,
**✠** This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you.
And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me. The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!
**N.** And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing.
A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest, but he said to them,
**✠** Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!
You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.
**N.** He answered,
**O.** Lord, I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.
**N.** Jesus replied,
**✠** I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.
**N.** He said to them,
**✠** When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything?
**N.** They answered,
**C.** No.
**N.** He said to them,
**✠** But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do the same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one, because I tell you these words of scripture have to be fulfilled in me: *He let himself be taken for a criminal.* Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment.
**N.** They said,
**C.** Lord, there are two swords here now.
**N.** He said to them,
**✠** That is enough!
**N.** He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. When they reached the place he said to them,
**✠** Pray not to be put to the test.
**N.** Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed, saying,
**✠** Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.
**N.** Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. He said to them,
**✠** Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.
**N.** He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said,
**✠** Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?
**N.** His followers, seeing what was happening, said,
**C.** Lord, shall we use our swords?
**N.** And one of them struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. But at this Jesus spoke:
**✠** Leave off! That will do!
**N.** And touching the man’s ear he healed him.
Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him. He said,
**✠** Am I a brigand, that you had to set out with swords and clubs? When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.
**N.** They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them, and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said,
**O.** This person was with him too.
**N.** But he denied it.
**O.** Woman, I do not know him.
**N.** Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said,
**O.** You are another of them.
**N.** But Peter replied,
**O.** I am not, my friend.
**N.** About an hour later another man insisted, saying,
**O.** This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean.
**N.** Peter said,
**O.** My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.
**N.** At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew, and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying,
**C.** Play the prophet. Who hit you then?
**N.** And they continued heaping insults on him.
When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council, and they said to him,
**C.** If you are the Christ, tell us.
**N.** He replied,
**✠** If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.
**N.** Then they all said,
**C.** So you are the Son of God then?
**N.** He answered:
**✠** It is you who say I am.
**N.** They said,
**C.** What need of witnesses have we now? We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips.
**N.** The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.
They began their accusation by saying,
**C.** We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.
**N.** Pilate put to him this question:
**O.** Are you the king of the Jews?
**N.** He replied,
**✠** It is you who say it.
**N.** Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd,
**O.** I find no case against this man.
**N.** But they persisted,
**C.** He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.
**N.** When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.
Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said,
**O.** You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.
**N.** But as one man they howled,
**C.** Away with him! Give us Barabbas!
**N.** (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)
Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back,
**C.** Crucify him! Crucify him!
**N.** And for the third time he spoke to them,
**O.** Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.
**N.** But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.
Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.
As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,
**✠** Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?
**N.** Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.
When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,
**✠** Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.
**N.** Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.
The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying,
**C.** He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.
**N.** The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,
**C.** If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.
**N.** Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying,
**O.** Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.
**N.** But the other spoke up and rebuked him:
**O.** Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
**N.** He replied,
**✠** Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.
**N.** It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,
**✠** Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
**N.** With these words he breathed his last.
*All kneel and pause a moment*
When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said,
**O.** This was a great and good man.
**N.** And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.
All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.
Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph. He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent.
Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body.
Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.
**Reflection**
Today is Palm Sunday and we are coming to the end of our season of Lent and drawing closer to Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.
Our first gospel reading starts with Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem and we hear how ‘Jesus went on ahead’ and how every detail had been arranged. He knew what was to come and God’s plan of salvation was about to be fulfilled.
Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem quietly but allowed the focus to be on him. He came on a colt, a young donkey. This was a claim to his kingship, as the donkey was considered a noble animal in Jesus’ day. Men rode horses into battle but when they came in peace they rode on a donkey. So Jesus came as a King of peace.
The people laid their cloaks in front of him and the disciples joyfully praised him. It's hard to believe that less than a week later the crowd would be calling “crucify him, crucify him”. How quickly the crowd can change. Am I easily swayed by the crowd or do I stand for what I believe in? This all happened as Jesus was “approaching the downward slope of the Mount of Olives”. The same place where Jesus was later betrayed by one of his own disciples.
The disciples praised God ‘at the top of their voices’ and worshipped Jesus as King. Is praise an important part of my prayer life? Do I thank Jesus daily for all He has done for me? Psalm 46 says “Sing praise to our King, sing praise! God is king of all the earth. Sing praise with all your skill”. I’ve been thinking a lot about trust during Lent. Do I trust God with all my heart or do I doubt when things don’t go the way I thought? St Faustina said “the way to live trust is by praise and thanksgiving, to praise and thank God in all things”.
Jesus had great trust in God the Father and his plan for salvation. After the last supper Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. In his humanity he didn’t want to have to suffer and prayed ‘Father if you are willing take this cup away from me”. But he also prayed “let your will be done not mine”. Jesus surrendered his life into the Father’s hands and trusted totally in his will for him. Do I surrender all or do I hold back parts of my life?
Jesus told the disciples “pray not to be put to the test” but in their weakness they fell asleep. We see a lot of human weakness in the passion gospel today – Judas betrayal, Peter’s denial of Jesus, the disciples falling asleep, the crowd turning on Jesus, Pontius Pilate being influenced by the crowd, the list goes one. We are all weak and in need of a merciful Saviour, and that is who Jesus is. When Jesus felt weak he prayed and “an angel appeared to him coming from heaven to give him strength”. Prayer helped Jesus to face his passion and prayer helps us too. Do I turn to prayer when I need help or turn to others for consolation?
Jesus was focussed on the Father’s will because of his love for the Father and his love for each one of us. He ‘set His face like flint’ as it says in the first reading. Jesus took all the sin of the world on himself at the cross so that we could have forgiveness, healing and eternal life. When I think of my own sins that feels heavy enough but to think of the sin of all the world how excruciatingly painful and dark that must have felt. And yet Jesus was able to cry out “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Do I easily forgive when people hurt me?
At the cross an exchange took place – Jesus died instead of me – instead of you. Just as Jesus took the place of the rioter and murderer Barabbas, Jesus took our place. Barabbas was set free even though he was the guilty one. The innocent Jesus took his place on the cross. That’s sacrificial love!
I’m reminded of the story of St Maximillian Kolbe who was in a concentration camp in World War II. One day three men tried to escape from the camp and to stop anyone else from trying to escape, ten men were chosen to die from starvation. When they chose a man who St Maximillian knew was a husband and father he called out to the commander to take him instead. So St Maximillian went to the starvation chamber instead of the other man, he died in his place.
We are the guilty ones but Jesus loves us so much that he took our place and died for us. He took on all the pain, humiliation, mockery, betrayal, abandonment, heartache and suffering so that we could be free.
As Jesus died on the cross “the veil of the temple was torn right down the middle”. The veil was before the Holy of Holies, God’s dwelling place in the temple, where no one could enter except the high priest once a year. Because of Jesus death on the cross, the barrier that separated us from God was gone and a way was opened for all people to come to God and have a relationship with Him.
This week we have the opportunity to journey with Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection. The church calls the three days starting Holy Thursday the Sacred Paschal Triduum – it is a single event celebrated over three days ending on Easter Sunday. Let’s use this week to pray, to go to reconciliation, to reflect and to spend time with Jesus. And to praise and thank Jesus our servant King, who loves us so much that he gave his life for us.
- Christine
**Luke 22:14-23:56**
**The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke**
*Key: N. Narrator. ***✠*** Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.*
**N.** When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them,
**✠** I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
**N.** Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said,
**✠** Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.
**N.** Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying,
**✠** This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me.
**N.** He did the same with the cup after supper, and said,
**✠** This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you.
And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me. The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!
**N.** And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing.
A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest, but he said to them,
**✠** Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!
You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.
**N.** He answered,
**O.** Lord, I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.
**N.** Jesus replied,
**✠** I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.
**N.** He said to them,
**✠** When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything?
**N.** They answered,
**C.** No.
**N.** He said to them,
**✠** But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do the same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one, because I tell you these words of scripture have to be fulfilled in me: *He let himself be taken for a criminal.* Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment.
**N.** They said,
**C.** Lord, there are two swords here now.
**N.** He said to them,
**✠** That is enough!
**N.** He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. When they reached the place he said to them,
**✠** Pray not to be put to the test.
**N.** Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed, saying,
**✠** Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.
**N.** Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. He said to them,
**✠** Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.
**N.** He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said,
**✠** Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?
**N.** His followers, seeing what was happening, said,
**C.** Lord, shall we use our swords?
**N.** And one of them struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. But at this Jesus spoke:
**✠** Leave off! That will do!
**N.** And touching the man’s ear he healed him.
Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him. He said,
**✠** Am I a brigand, that you had to set out with swords and clubs? When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.
**N.** They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them, and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said,
**O.** This person was with him too.
**N.** But he denied it.
**O.** Woman, I do not know him.
**N.** Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said,
**O.** You are another of them.
**N.** But Peter replied,
**O.** I am not, my friend.
**N.** About an hour later another man insisted, saying,
**O.** This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean.
**N.** Peter said,
**O.** My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.
**N.** At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew, and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying,
**C.** Play the prophet. Who hit you then?
**N.** And they continued heaping insults on him.
When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council, and they said to him,
**C.** If you are the Christ, tell us.
**N.** He replied,
**✠** If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.
**N.** Then they all said,
**C.** So you are the Son of God then?
**N.** He answered:
**✠** It is you who say I am.
**N.** They said,
**C.** What need of witnesses have we now? We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips.
**N.** The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.
They began their accusation by saying,
**C.** We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.
**N.** Pilate put to him this question:
**O.** Are you the king of the Jews?
**N.** He replied,
**✠** It is you who say it.
**N.** Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd,
**O.** I find no case against this man.
**N.** But they persisted,
**C.** He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.
**N.** When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.
Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said,
**O.** You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.
**N.** But as one man they howled,
**C.** Away with him! Give us Barabbas!
**N.** (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)
Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back,
**C.** Crucify him! Crucify him!
**N.** And for the third time he spoke to them,
**O.** Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.
**N.** But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.
Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.
As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,
**✠** Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?
**N.** Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.
When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,
**✠** Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.
**N.** Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.
The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying,
**C.** He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.
**N.** The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,
**C.** If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.
**N.** Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying,
**O.** Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.
**N.** But the other spoke up and rebuked him:
**O.** Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
**N.** He replied,
**✠** Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.
**N.** It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,
**✠** Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.
**N.** With these words he breathed his last.
*All kneel and pause a moment*
When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said,
**O.** This was a great and good man.
**N.** And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.
All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.
Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph. He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent.
Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body.
Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.
**Reflection**
Today is Palm Sunday and we are coming to the end of our season of Lent and drawing closer to Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.
Our first gospel reading starts with Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem and we hear how ‘Jesus went on ahead’ and how every detail had been arranged. He knew what was to come and God’s plan of salvation was about to be fulfilled.
Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem quietly but allowed the focus to be on him. He came on a colt, a young donkey. This was a claim to his kingship, as the donkey was considered a noble animal in Jesus’ day. Men rode horses into battle but when they came in peace they rode on a donkey. So Jesus came as a King of peace.
The people laid their cloaks in front of him and the disciples joyfully praised him. It's hard to believe that less than a week later the crowd would be calling “crucify him, crucify him”. How quickly the crowd can change. Am I easily swayed by the crowd or do I stand for what I believe in? This all happened as Jesus was “approaching the downward slope of the Mount of Olives”. The same place where Jesus was later betrayed by one of his own disciples.
The disciples praised God ‘at the top of their voices’ and worshipped Jesus as King. Is praise an important part of my prayer life? Do I thank Jesus daily for all He has done for me? Psalm 46 says “Sing praise to our King, sing praise! God is king of all the earth. Sing praise with all your skill”. I’ve been thinking a lot about trust during Lent. Do I trust God with all my heart or do I doubt when things don’t go the way I thought? St Faustina said “the way to live trust is by praise and thanksgiving, to praise and thank God in all things”.
Jesus had great trust in God the Father and his plan for salvation. After the last supper Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. In his humanity he didn’t want to have to suffer and prayed ‘Father if you are willing take this cup away from me”. But he also prayed “let your will be done not mine”. Jesus surrendered his life into the Father’s hands and trusted totally in his will for him. Do I surrender all or do I hold back parts of my life?
Jesus told the disciples “pray not to be put to the test” but in their weakness they fell asleep. We see a lot of human weakness in the passion gospel today – Judas betrayal, Peter’s denial of Jesus, the disciples falling asleep, the crowd turning on Jesus, Pontius Pilate being influenced by the crowd, the list goes one. We are all weak and in need of a merciful Saviour, and that is who Jesus is. When Jesus felt weak he prayed and “an angel appeared to him coming from heaven to give him strength”. Prayer helped Jesus to face his passion and prayer helps us too. Do I turn to prayer when I need help or turn to others for consolation?
Jesus was focussed on the Father’s will because of his love for the Father and his love for each one of us. He ‘set His face like flint’ as it says in the first reading. Jesus took all the sin of the world on himself at the cross so that we could have forgiveness, healing and eternal life. When I think of my own sins that feels heavy enough but to think of the sin of all the world how excruciatingly painful and dark that must have felt. And yet Jesus was able to cry out “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Do I easily forgive when people hurt me?
At the cross an exchange took place – Jesus died instead of me – instead of you. Just as Jesus took the place of the rioter and murderer Barabbas, Jesus took our place. Barabbas was set free even though he was the guilty one. The innocent Jesus took his place on the cross. That’s sacrificial love!
I’m reminded of the story of St Maximillian Kolbe who was in a concentration camp in World War II. One day three men tried to escape from the camp and to stop anyone else from trying to escape, ten men were chosen to die from starvation. When they chose a man who St Maximillian knew was a husband and father he called out to the commander to take him instead. So St Maximillian went to the starvation chamber instead of the other man, he died in his place.
We are the guilty ones but Jesus loves us so much that he took our place and died for us. He took on all the pain, humiliation, mockery, betrayal, abandonment, heartache and suffering so that we could be free.
As Jesus died on the cross “the veil of the temple was torn right down the middle”. The veil was before the Holy of Holies, God’s dwelling place in the temple, where no one could enter except the high priest once a year. Because of Jesus death on the cross, the barrier that separated us from God was gone and a way was opened for all people to come to God and have a relationship with Him.
This week we have the opportunity to journey with Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection. The church calls the three days starting Holy Thursday the Sacred Paschal Triduum – it is a single event celebrated over three days ending on Easter Sunday. Let’s use this week to pray, to go to reconciliation, to reflect and to spend time with Jesus. And to praise and thank Jesus our servant King, who loves us so much that he gave his life for us.
- Christine