7th April 2020
Tuesday of Holy Week
For today’s Gospel reading click the link below
Mass Readings
Meditation: Jesus’ disciples were put to the test as Jesus prepared to make the final and ultimate sacrifice of his own life for their sake and for all the world. What was different between Peter and Judas? Judas deliberately betrayed his Master while Peter, in a moment of weakness, denied him with an oath and a curse. Judas’ act was cold and calculated. Peter, however, never meant to do what he did. He acted impulsively, out of weakness and cowardice. Jesus knew both the strength of Peter’s loyalty and the weakness of his resolution. He had a habit of speaking with his heart without thinking through the implications of what he was saying.
Disordered
love leads to hurtful desires and wrong deeds
The treachery of Judas, however, is seen at its worst when Jesus makes his
appeal by showing special affection to him at his last supper. John says that
Satan entered into Judas when he rejected Jesus and left to pursue his evil
course. Satan can twist love and turn it into hate. He can turn holiness into
pride, discipline into cruelty, affection into complacency. We must be on our
guard lest Satan turn us from the love of God and the path which God has chosen
for us.
God
never withholds his persevering grace and strength to those who cling to him
The Holy Spirit will give us grace and strength in our time of testing. If we
submit to Jesus we will walk in the light of his truth and love. If we turn our
backs on him we will stumble and fall in the ways of sin and darkness. Are you
ready to follow Jesus in his way of the cross?
“Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart which no unworthy thought can drag downwards; an unconquered heart which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” (Prayer of Thomas Aquinas)
Psalm 71:1-6,15,17
1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!
2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and
save me!
3 Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock
and my fortress.
4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust
and cruel man.
5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s
womb. My praise is continually of you.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all
the day, for their number is past my knowledge.
17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous
deeds.
A Daily Quote for Lent: Fight sin and put up with trials, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
“Your first task is to be dissatisfied with yourself, fight sin, and transform yourself into something better. Your second task is to put up with the trials and temptations of this world that will be brought on by the change in your life and to persevere to the very end in the midst of these things.” (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 59,5)
copyright (c) 2020 Servants of the Word, source: www.dailyscripture.net, and author Don Schwager