Category: Holy Week

Greetings on this the Wednesday of Holy Week
Readings: Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34; Mt 26:14-25
Notes: The last day of Lent.

In the many confrontations Jesus had with the powerful and those with authority, the basic confrontation is between who has authority and who has power. Clearly, the gospel readings this Lent bring this forward in a most wonderful way with Jesus’ power over all things and mercy in all his ways.

There is the final question.

What are you willing to give me?
It’s an astounding question actually.
Jesus has already given par excellence (see Seven Signs of Jesus in gospel of John).
I am not aware of Jesus denying Judas anything.

Nor deny you anything of true value.

“What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

The Triduum approaches.
What is the Lord willing to give me?

Triduum

• Holy Thursday – Institution of the Eucharist, the Priesthood and Servant Leadership.
• Good Friday – Forgiveness, propitiation, universal family, total Love.
• Holy Saturday – Spanning all time and places silent divine presence.(See Romans 8:38-39).
• Easter Sunday – Victory over death.

Thirty pieces of silver or the promise to the repentant thief?

He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise (LK 23:43).
[This person] was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter (2 COR 12:4).

Cross reference: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/09/12/canning-season/

First Reading
I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

Responsorial
Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for consolers, not one could I find. Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Gospel Acclamation
Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our errors.

Gospel
“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.””

We memorialize the Appointed Time.

What is the Lord willing to give me?
Divine Life, NOW and FOREVER.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Greetings on this the Monday of Holy Week
Readings: Is 42:1-7;Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14;Jn 12:1-11
Notes: In Holy Week we come face-to-face with our darkest impulses and God’s merciful response.

These last two days of Lent, judge the antagonists in the gospel readings as your alter ego, no one else.

It would help to understand that although we see ourselves as disciples of Jesus, we have the same impulses that as the Lord said to Cain: You must master yourself. When Jesus says ‘you are gods’ he is referring to our God-given ability to judge rightly – of ourselves, others, word, action, thought.

Genesis – When the bow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature—every mortal being that is on earth.
Palm Sunday – (1) put away your sword, and again, (2) Friend, do what you have come for.

G-d is not at war with us.
We are at war within ourselves and with G-d.

Hang up your bow.
Let His Kindness be your salvation.

First Reading
Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Responsorial
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel Acclamation
Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our faults.

Gospel
And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

Hosanna – Pray, Save us! Or God, save us!

The triumphant entry. A foreshadowing of the praises in heaven. This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.

But its most critical point. God has come to save. We ask to be saved. From ourselves.

Jesus takes up the deepest of human worries:

“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

All his senses cannot sense the Father, yet he is never closer to him.

Jesus is given to experience and recite Psalm 22. See link https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/22

It ends in victory and praise.

Pray, save us!

God, save us!

Jesus, save us!

Peace be with you,

Deacon Gerry