This evening’s solemn liturgy marks our entry into the Holy Triduum of the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection. We cross this threshold not as mere spectators, nor out of habit, but as those personally invited by Jesus himself as guests at the supper in which bread and wine become for us the sacrament of salvation. Indeed, we take part in a banquet at which Christ “having...
It is only in the Gospel of St. Matthew that we hear of the money that Judas received for his act of betrayal. The other Gospels only mention that it was money that proved to be Judas’ motive. We know that St. Matthew was writing his Gospel for a Jewish community and that he includes more references to the Jewish Scriptures than all three of the other Gospels. The thirty pieces of silver...
There are several words in today’s readings that can only be understood if we go back to the story of the Garden of Eden. Once they had eaten the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve realized that they were naked. There reaction to this was predictable. They were ashamed, so ashamed that they covered themselves with garments made of leaves.
Isaiah tells us that the Suffering Servant wondered...
Anticipation. Those readers of a certain age will remember a popular TV commercial for Heinz ketchup that featured a tipped bottle made of glass, of course, and the contents pouring out with agonizing slowness onto a juicy hamburger, with Carly Simon’s pop hit “Anticipation” playing in the background. If you’ve ever used a glass ketchup or mustard bottle, you can easily...
Yesterday, we examined our covenant relationship with God. We find ourselves two chapters later in today’s Gospel text. The arguments that the Jewish leaders have turned into a plot, a whispered conspiracy which will culminate a week from today in the execution of Jesus on a day we have been taught to think of as “good” – Good Friday.
Throughout each day of our...