Betrayal

Today’s Gospel Text:  Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.'" 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the passover.  20 When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples; 21 and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" 23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me. 24 The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Is it I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said so." Matt 26:14-25

Reflection: What is the difference between these two actions: trading in slaves and what Judas did to Jesus?

A slave is one whose right is forcibly taken away by another and hence is sold in order that he may become the property of the one who has legally owned them. They can do with them what they want. 

The scripture gives us enough evidence of Judases greed, which primarily may not have been a greed for power or domination but rather a greed for wealth, which led him to trade with his very own Lord and master, whose humble ways are within the powers of men to manipulate in this life.   

Could it be that he opted to be in charge of the money box and the financial management of the little institution on account of his greedy habit of pilfering? 

But he did achieve, in his greed, to sell-off as a slave one of the most innocent and yet the most unassuming powerful man in the history of mankind:

"What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" (vs. 15)

What right did he have to deliver him to him? Was he the owner of Jesus or was he his father or was it the other way around?

Where do human's get such strength to trade with their God; the Lord and master of the universe? 

How greed, ambition,  craving for power and the things of the world; whether it be worldly glory, honor or positions, leads one to such depraved mindset wherein which they begin to assert their rights over the other. Worse is when they do it with even God. 

Some do it under the acceptable democratic institutions and some even by using their power and positions in the church:

Was Judas not holding similar position of power and authority in the church? How then did he become an instrument of Satan?

Did he not eat of the same table, what some may obstinately claim as to be the meal of unity, and yet betray, thus separating himself from the unity of the body of Christ?

He had the best teacher in Christ, whom he followed and yet followed himself more than Jesus.

A thing to ponder upon, this holy week, as we labor in the vineyard of Christ.

Prayer:  Lord God, as I reflect on the betrayal of Judas, I dread to think of the frail human possibilities laboring without your great mercy and help.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Attitude Required

Today’s Gospel Text:  And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja'irus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23 and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well." 29 And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?" 31 And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'" 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease."

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Tal'itha cu'mi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:21-43

Reflection: O yea! How we love to see wonderful and magical happenings and we may go out of our way to see such phenomenons and yet there could a better one in our own neighborhood which we may never observe or miss out on. 

The dramatic appearance of Jairus and his falling at Jesus’ feet and beseeching him to come and heal his daughter may have drawn the attention of the many that were there and this may have attracted a great crowd to follow Jesus to the house of Jairus to see another of the miracle performed by Jesus.

But in the meanwhile, while Jesus was on his way, there was another more marvelous miracle, concerning an ordinary lady, about to take place. This woman appears to have been unassumingly simple and ordinary. 

The crowd almost missed it and we too could miss out on the great beauty of this miracle. 

There are many factors which makes this miracle a marvel:

She had gone to many physicians and was treated by many, and what is more, she had spent all her life savings in getting herself treated.  There was no question of losing hope as she had not lost her grits.

Modern medical science would immediately discern that she must have been anemic and weak. She may have been at her daily work with great determination despite the many aches and pains due to lack of quality blood in her system.

Such faith is not possible unless it is received in faith from above. Did she pray for the many years and now, more so, since her coffers were empty?  She seems to have shown a rock solid faith and trust in God; the only hope for this woman?

If there is anything we can learn from this woman then it is this: do not wait for sickness to trust God and do not seek to see the signs and wonders but be practical and active in believing in the one who is able to save us.

Rest is history as she touches the hem of his garment!

Prayer:  Lord, increase our faith that we may trust you in all situations and circumstances.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Woe to Them

Today’s Gospel Text: "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. 16 "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If any one swears by the temple, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'If any one swears by the altar, it is nothing; but if any one swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; 21 and he who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who dwells in it; 22 and he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Matt 23:13-22

Reflection:  Some of the curses that the scribes and Pharisees incur upon themselves, on account of their sinful behavior, should make us reflect.

What is so grievous about their sin? For this we need to understand the human state of affairs and the mission of God, in sending his Son Jesus so as to save us.

The fallen human race, which was on the road to destruction and condemnation, always had God’s special attention and yearning to save to it; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

In the Old Testament, he prepares a people to bring forth the savior of the world.

There would have been no need of a savior if mankind could save itself apart from God’s help. This is the folly of world religions that have an elaborate laws and formulas in order for their adherents to enter eternity. 

The Christian faith proclaims a salvation not so much in the Laws or commandments or the teachings of Jesus alone or his values but in the very person of Christ Jesus, who still is with those who believe in him and his promises, in order to save them.

This Salvific action of Jesus, is also accomplished through us his instruments, along with the church triumphant and heavenly hosts.

What then would be the fate of the world, if the followers of Christ, witness to a gospel other than that which has come to us from the apostles.

Should not the woe of Jesus apply to them: “…..you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (vs. 13)

Even in our times we have programs for neo-converts where there are taught that salvation is possible through every religion in the world and what is important is to proclaim gospel values and not Christ.  

Prayer: Lord, let me not be a scandal to the world by not believing in the good news of the Salvation you offer by your death on the cross.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Faith and Trust

Today’s Gospel Text: And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven." 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'? 6 But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he then said to the paralytic - "Rise, take up your bed and go home." 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. Matt 9:1-8

Reflection: The world and the Church too has a lot to thank for men and women of faith. These are the people who act as saviours of the world. 

Not because they are saviors themselves, but they act as Saviours in so far as they through their unshakable and undaunted faith persevere in the world and in the church often marred by godlessness and even persecutions.  Thus they through their faith constantly invite God’s mercy on the wicked, who many a time dominate the world around them. 

The Gospel text proves such a notion of faith, when the men get a paralytic to Jesus and seeing their faith Jesus heals the paralytic, even a world paralyzed by the evil of men.   

Such is the power of faith of a Christian in the living God; that God either withholds his hand of destruction (Gen. 18: 22-33) or sustains a sinful world.

A Christian grows in faith through a dedicated life of prayer and reflection on God’s word, allowing him to minster to their hearts through this means, so that one is convinced through this daily encounter that God is real.

The Catholic Church in baptizing its infants, through the faith of the parents and the minister, along with the belief in the efficacy of the Sacrament speaks a powerful message to us on the power of faith.  Unfortunately, what we have on paper as Catholics, based on sound doctrine, is rarely a reality in daily living.

Prayer: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people, from this time forth and for evermore.” Ps 125:1-2

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Are you Insecure?

Scripture/Bible: Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. John 16:20-23

Reflection: Jesus' prediction of the reality of behavior pattern in the world; this is the contradiction in the world in which many of us seek to work for unity, peace and brotherhood.

What is Jesus’ prediction concerning the world? “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful.” - the contrary behavior of humans who are either for or against Christ.

Could this be post resurrection words put in the mouth of Jesus? This we leave it to the fools who want to get into irrelevant nitty-gritty.  But the fact remains that his enemies did rejoice, that they finally put to rest their much insecurities and fears of persecution which could have arisen if Jesus were given a free reign. Their insecurities and fears were further allayed because Jesus did not keep their company nor mix around with them.

But they failed to realize that Christ Jesus came in our midst to help us handle our many fears, insecurities and anxieties which works in subtle ways in us to make the innocents scapegoats and victims.

God wants to heal these weak traits in our life so that we may be instruments of service. This service need not be an active work but could be even a passive act that does not look at other individuals, especially the chosen instrument of God as threat, especially who don't keep our company or appease us.    

It also brings out another truth of how our outlook of life should be and how we need to interpret all things in the world.  Jesus has to be the focal point; you have to be either for Jesus or against Jesus and not be a go between or a fence sitter.

Prayer:  Lord, search me by the action of your Holy Spirit at work in me, so that every sinful thought of insecurity, fears and anxieties are dealt with by your grace. 

                                                                                                                     

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Whom are you sold to?

Scripture:  And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46 saying to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers." Luke 19:45-46

Reflection:  We are so often sold to a particular idea or a thought, a particular philosophy or mindset, a particular sinful bondage or habits of sin.

It is only when we allow God’s Holy Spirit that we become temples of God or temples of the Holy Spirit. When we become God’s temple, then Jesus once again takes the whip of God’s word to drive out that which we are sold into.

Whereas those who reject the Holy Spirit which they have received in Baptism either make adjustments to that which they are sold into, for peace or they will go help themselves with some New Age methodologies in order to attain peace.

Choice:  Either self help or Jesus Help!  

Prayer:  Lord, I need your help to enjoy peace. Help me with your Holy Spirit as I read your word and ponder on it to attain that peace which only you can give. (Jn.14:27)

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us