Christ was humbler yet,
even to accepting death, death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name which is above all names. PH 2:8-9
ISAIAH 50:4-7 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
We are overly sensitive to what others think of us and we do everything we can to protect ourselves, our egos. But You show us another Way, a better way - the way of humility.
Unless we make the sacrifice required to immerse ourselves in Your Word and in daily prayer we will never be able to face the world with equanimity when it accuses us with lies born of ignorance of the Truth. If we do, however, You will give us the inspiration and the words with which to counter evil with good and ignorance with divine wisdom.
Like You, and all the martyrs who learned from You we will be able to withstand without flinching, all the persecution, insults, calumny, and mockery that the world and the enemies of truth direct against us.
PSALM 22:8-9,17-20,23-24 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
This psalm written by David describes clearly all that You suffered. One must be familiar with both the Old and the New Testament to see it. The Jews to this day studiously ignore You. Their nation resounds with testimony about You - Your life, Your passion, Your death, Your glorious resurrection, and the effects of it all on the whole world. They benefit from the many pilgrims who pour into their nation from all over the world but they, like the Pharisees, Scribes, and Jewish religious authorities stubbornly and steadfastly refuse to give You any credence.
The Psalmist records his sufferings and torment as well as that of his companions at the hands of his enemies and wove them all into a seamless tapestry. Ultimately all these sufferings would be drawn into the sufferings of one Man, sent by God, His only Son, for the salvation of the world.
But to all who believe, and accept You, Beloved, You give the power and the right to be called children of God.
We pray for the dawn of that glorious day when the nation of Israel together with the whole world will praise You, revere Your Name, and glorify God for You and for the Good News of our salvation.
PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
My Soul's Beloved,
You are God and yet You came into the world to give Yourself up into our hands of sinners knowing full well what the world would do to You. Not at any stage of Your short life on earth did You call down fire and brimstone against those who opposed You and plotted to destroy You even though You had the power to do so.
You teach us by Your example that there is no greater virtue than that of humility. It is a virtue that gives birth to every other virtue and makes all we do pleasing and acceptable to God.
The reward for embodying this virtue and manifesting it throughout our life is to receive a share in Your Kingdom.
Whether the world acknowledges it or not the truth is that the Father has raised You high and has given You a Name that is above every other. All must bow the knee to You for only in believing in You and Your Name can we be saved - there is salvation in no other.
MARK 14:1-15:47 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
Trickery and chicanery are the oldest tricks that Satan and his followers have used ever since the fall and fools are trapped and deceived by them. Only those who stand on the side of Truth can hear Your voice, recognize it, and follow You.
Today, as we listen to Your Passion narrated in our churches on this Palm Sunday, recalling Your triumphant entry into Jerusalem we pray earnestly for that day when God's chosen people, the Jews, as well as people from every nation will celebrate Your triumphant return to claim and establish Your rule over the whole world.
Those who were feverishly plotting Your arrest and Your murder were worried about the most inane things -
It must not be during the festivities, or there will be a disturbance among the people.
We are reminded that we must offer You only the very best of ourselves. We must break ourselves and pour ourselves out as Mary did with the alabaster jar containing the costly ointment. You have taught us that it is only in dying that we live. The world teaches us from our earliest age to look out for ourselves and our interests but You show us a better way. It is a way to true freedom.
Judas, bristling with resentment at Your public reproach to him who in truth cared nothing for the poor, sought out Your enemies in order convey to them his willingness to betray You for money. The world is full of Judases who continue to betray the innocent for filthy lucre's sake.
As we listen to the Gospel narration of the Passover meal You had with Your disciples in the upper room, we offer grateful thanks for the Eucharist without which, Beloved, we would have no strength for the journey from this life to the next.
During this solemn night mingled with joy and sorrow, You tell the blustering Peter who proclaims his willingness to die for You, of his denial of You not once but three times. You also indicated that one of them would betray You. Judas actually had the gall to look You in the eye and ask if he was the one and You responded saying,
It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping into the same dish with me. Yes, the Son of Man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say he will, but alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born! Judas actually hears You say it would have been better had he not been born and yet he goes out shamelessly into the night to betray You.
You then instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the Priesthood - for we cannot have one without the other. You institute it here in spirit, on the Cross You would institute in truth.
As the sacred meal comes to a close You lead Your band of disciples to the garden of Gethsemane and taking Peter, James, and John a little further, You urge the rest to keep vigil and pray. Weary with fear all fall asleep while You pour out Your agony to Your Father, saying, Abba (Father)! Everything is possible for you. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you, not I, would have it. This is how we too ought to pray each time we come before God and make our needs known to Him.
Three times You came to the apostles hoping to find them awake and praying with You but each time they were in a deep sleep. You say to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Had you not the strength to keep awake one hour? You should be awake, and praying not to be put to the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
How often we too find ourselves in the same situation as the apostles we are weary either with fear or apathy. Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words either way, like the apostles we too have no answer as to why we are not keeping watch and praying as we ought.
Once You identified by the blistering kiss of Judas and arrested events seem to take on a life of their own as one horrific scene succeeds the next. All Your friends have melted into the night.
We then have Your trial before a kangaroo court made up of the high priest, the chief priests, elders, and scribes. Poor Peter, half ashamed and afraid he follows You from a distance. But no sooner he is identified by a maid-servant he denies You just as You said he would.
They asked, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?
and You said, I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven. The high priest dramatically tore his robes and promptly accused You of blasphemy, a verdict that carried the death sentence.
It was at this point that You gave Yourself up utterly to the power of the rabid mob who thronged around You. They made jest of You, mocked You, spat on You, blindfolded You, and rained blows on You taunting You to guess who had hit You. In the morning they brought You before Pilate as they had no authority to put You to death only Pilate could do so.
Playing shamelessly on Pilate's fears they got him to pronounce the death sentence but not before he ordered You to be scourged mercilessly. The evangelists make it clear that Pilate knew You were innocent and that the chief priests were jealous of You yet he sentenced You to death by crucifixion.
Even as You hung in agony on the cross they continued to taunt You - the hour of evil was on full display just before the final and most comprehensive victories of all time.
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