Category: Memory Verse

“I opened to my Lover – but my Lover had departed, gone. I sought Him but I did not find Him; I called to Him but He did not answer me.” –Song of Songs 5:6 On this Holy Saturday, there is no Mass, no Eucharistic presence in the tabernacles of our Churches, no Eucharistic readings proclaimed for the world to hear. Jesus, our Life (Jn 11:25; 14:6), has fallen to the ground and died (Jn 12:24). He has been buried in the tomb, and we who are baptized into Him have also been buried with Him (see Rm 6:4). We...

“I am thirsty.” –John 19:28 Jesus was thirsting for the people of Jerusalem to “come to” Him (see Mt 11:28). He told them: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often have I yearned to gather your children, as a mother bird gathers her young under her wings, but you refused Me” (Mt 23:37). Jesus thirsted for a people who would accept His saving love, listen to His words, and put them into practice (Mk 4:8-9). Jesus poured out His life for His beloved people, teaching, healing, and working miracles in their sight. “Despite His many signs performed in their presence, they refused to...

“Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples (the one about to hand Him over), protested…” –John 12:4 The four Suffering Servant readings from Isaiah during Holy Week reveal that there is no self-centeredness in the Suffering Servant (Is 42:1-7; Is 49:1-6; Is 50:4-9; Is 52:13—53:12). Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, a holy family devoted to Jesus, reveal a focus on Jesus and a lack of self-interest as they minister hospitality to Jesus (Jn 12:1ff). Sadly, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, showed a total focus on himself and a lack of focus on Jesus during the week he...

“Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples (the one about to hand Him over), protested…” –John 12:4 The four Suffering Servant readings from Isaiah during Holy Week reveal that there is no self-centeredness in the Suffering Servant (Is 42:1-7; Is 49:1-6; Is 50:4-9; Is 52:13—53:12). Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, a holy family devoted to Jesus, reveal a focus on Jesus and a lack of self-interest as they minister hospitality to Jesus (Jn 12:1ff). Sadly, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, showed a total focus on himself and a lack of focus on Jesus during the week he...