Tagged: Daily Reflection

“He bowed His head, and delivered over His spirit.” –John 19:30 A few days before I wrote this, a man was executed by the state of Florida in its electric chair. Florida ordered that a mask be put on, “so marred was his look beyond that of man, and his appearance beyond that of mortals” (Is 52:14). The mask and the skin on his face caught fire. Even some of the most hardened observers hid their faces (see Is 53:3) as they smelled the burning flesh. The condemned man maintained before his electrocution that he was innocent. He probably was...

” ‘If I do not wash you,’ Jesus answered, ‘you will have no share in My heritage.’ ” –John 13:8 Today we begin the Triduum, seventy hours of prayer, followed by the Easter season, fifty days of celebrating the risen Christ. Today, we begin one of the most important times in our lives. By going to the Mass of the Last Supper tonight, we are deciding to have our feet washed. Even if our feet are not washed at this Mass, we are still deciding by our presence to have our feet washed. We decide to do this because otherwise...

“Distressed at this…” –Matthew 26:22 The apostles were deeply distressed that Jesus’ betrayer was seated in their midst at the Last Supper. However, Jesus was not distressed, although hours later in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus “began to experience sorrow and distress” (see Mt 26:37). Yet, in the presence of His betrayer, Jesus was calmly in control of the situation. Jesus does things to instruct His disciples, and also us. He’s trying to teach them, and Judas, how we should respond in the presence of our enemies, and that the appropriate response is mercy. Jesus reaches out to Judas with...

“Lord, who is he?” –John 13:25 Jesus had just announced to His disciples at the Last Supper that one of His twelve apostles would betray Him (Jn 13:21). “The disciples looked at one another, puzzled as to whom He could mean” (Jn 13:22). This is remarkable. These men had been together for three years. Although these men knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses thoroughly, they were puzzled as to which of them might be a betrayer. James and John had asked Jesus earlier to elevate them above the others. The rest became indignant. Jesus often had to remind them to...

“Here is my Servant Whom I uphold, My Chosen One with Whom I am pleased, upon Whom I have put My Spirit.” –Isaiah 42:1 Jesus comes to us this Holy Week “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” (Is 42:2-3). Jesus comes quietly and gently. Jesus calls us to respond to Him this Holy Week as did Mary of Bethany. He wants us to passionately, boldly, and extravagantly throw ourselves at His feet and anoint Him with the perfume...