Holy Monday, April 15, 2019

Suffering Truth Decay?  Brush up on your Bible!

Today the liturgy presents two noteworthy characters who play dissimilar roles in the Lord's passion. One fills us with solace and comfort; the other with uneasiness and wholesome fear. Their juxtaposition produces a powerful effect by way of contrast. The two characters are Mary Magdalene of Bethany and Judas. In everyone's heart, there dwell two souls: a Judas-soul and a Mary-soul. The former is the cause of Jesus' suffering, it is always ready to apostatize, always ready to give the traitor's kiss. Your Magdalen-soul is a source of comfort to Christ in His sufferings. May the holy season of Lent, which with God's help we are about to bring to a successful conclusion, bring victory over the Judas-soul and strengthen the Magdalen-soul within our breasts.

Scripture ...
Luke 23:32-34

Reflections ...

In a procession with two condemned criminals, Jesus is led to the place of execution. The locals know it as “The Skull” (see Luke 23:33)—possibly because of its shape, possibly because it is the grisly place of execution and death.

And right away Jesus utters His first words from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Of all the people who should be pleading for forgiveness—Judas, the high priest, Pontius Pilate, his soldiers—the one who asks on their behalf is Jesus, the sinless Son of God.

How amazing that even in this hour where His agony reaches its climax Jesus doesn’t turn inside Himself. He could pray for justice—for vindication—for punishment on those who have done this to Him. Instead, He pleads with His Father to forgive them.

Jesus’ prayer is not restricted to Pontius Pilate and the Roman soldiers who abused and nailed Him to the cross, nor to the Jewish high priest and high court, or even to Judas, Peter and the other disciples, who abandoned Him. He prays for you and me, for all people of all time whose sins He has carried to this dismal place.

Prayer ... 
Lord Jesus, break through our ignorance and give us knowledge of our sin. That we may repent of that sin and receive full and free forgiveness for Your sake. Amen.

Lenten Challenge for today …

Today try and live a very simple life, simple clothes, simple food, simple living. 

Prayer while taking a step to simplify : Patient God, thank you for always giving me the grace to be simple and to live more as a disciple of Jesus. Amen.

Hymn ...

Quiz ...

1. Click the correct option.

2. Click Submit

3. Scroll up and click View Accuracy to see your result.

4. Have fun while you learn your faith.

Credits:

Thanks to various sites for the ideas .  I have tailored the materials accordingly to suit my needs.

Countdown calendar - https://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/freecountdown.html

Reflections and prayer – https://www.lhm.org/

Luke 23 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQbH-NxjEhY