The Passion of Christ

 

Passion of Christ Part XVI

Maundy Thursday Reflection

‘Pray not to be put to the test.’ 

   Three significant events took place on Maundy Thursday in the Catholic Church. Br Aby spoke explicitly about these Sacraments last night at a small group for evening Rosary and Passover reflection. That evening, in Jerusalem's Upper Room, Jesus performed the washing of the feet, instituted the Eucharist, instituted the Priesthood, and established the New Covenant. 

   This morning, in our community (Community of Grace) we all reenacted Jesus' washing of the feet on the Feast of Passover. It was a great event to wash feet and share the Passover food as one family in Christ Jesus. 

  John 13:4–8 (NJB): and he got up from table, removed his outer garments and, taking a towel, wrapped it round his waist; 5 he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7 Jesus answered, ‘At the moment you do not know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8 ‘Never!’ said Peter. ‘You shall never wash my feet.’Jesus became the most humble servant by performing the most lowly service a servant can perform: washing his master's feet at his house, where he was assigned to serve. He gave this example to his disciples and to all of us as a reminder of how a leader or servant should treat others.

    Luke 22:19–20 (NJB): Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ 20 He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you. Jesus established the New Covenant by donating his own blood in the form of wine to the Apostles. We all attended the church celebration yesterday to receive the Eucharist, which is Jesus Christ's Body and Blood. The Eucharist was instituted during the Passover Supper ceremonies. But Jesus is obviously mentioned here because He shared His Body and Blood with us in order to create or qualify us for His eternal presence in this world. Receiving Holy Communion makes us one flesh and blood with Him for eternity. How wonderful it is, as Centurion remarked, as we pray and recite in the Holy Mass: "Lord, I am not worthy you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."  St John Chrysostum says about the Holy Eucharist: ‘Do you understand, then, how Christ has united his bride to himself and what food he gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with his own blood those to whom he himself has given life.’

  Jesus knew who is going to betray him. Once it is happened everyone will know that he is ‘I am He’. This is same name God revealed to Moses met God first time.  Exodus 3:14 (NJB): God said to Moses, ‘I am he who is.’ And he said, ‘This is what you are to say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.”  The name God gave to Moses was ‘ I Am He who is’ John 13:18–20 (NJB): 8 I am not speaking about all of you: I know the ones I have chosen; but what scripture says must be fulfilled: ‘He who shares my table takes advantage of me.19 I tell you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you may believe that I am He. 20 In all truth I tell you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.’ Jesus knew who is going to betray and he quote the verses from Psalm. He said that what the scripture says to be filfilled. Psalm 41:9 (NJB): Even my trusted friend on whom I relied who shared my table, takes advantage of me. 

   Luke 22:21–23 (NJB): But look, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who is betraying me. 22 The Son of man is indeed on the path which was decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!’ 23 And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this. All of the apostles were unsure which one of them would betray Jesus. Jesus spoke about Judas' fate and accepted in his heart what would happen to him. 

   Luke 22:31–34 (NJB): Simon, Simon! Look, Satan has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.’ 33 ‘Lord,’ he answered, ‘I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.’ 34 Jesus replied, ‘I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.’ Jesus was aware that Peter would deny him. Jesus understood that we were all weak in his absence. Jesus urged Peter to strengthen the disciples' to them increase their faith. Peter demonstrates his willingness to sacrifice his life for Jesus. However, he turned down Jesus three times in front of a large crowd. Before being crucified, Christ prayed ardently for his beloved apostles and all of the disciples. 

   Luke 22:39–46 (NJB): He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. 40 When he reached the place he said to them, ‘Pray not to be put to the test.’ 41 Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed. 42 ‘Father,’ he said, ‘if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’ 43 Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. 44 In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 45 When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. 46 And he said to them, ‘Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.’ Jesus was in great agony when he implored with God, "If You are willing, take this cup of suffering and death on the Cross away from me." But he never wants to go against God the Father, so he says, "Let His will be done." Here, you can meditate on Jesus' flawless obedience to the Father in Heaven. Jesus is instructing us to pray continually in order to avoid falling into sin against God. Jesus knew that temptations would be present in our lives, so he strengthened us. 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XV

“The Son of man is going to his fate, as the scriptures say”

  We could see how Jesus became everything to us. He kept nothing for himself, emptying himself to become a sacrifice for all humanity.Our Lord makes this sacrifice to demonstrate Heavenly Father's love for Israel, His own country, and the gentiles of the earth, who confess Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  5Make your own the mind of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped. 7But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, 8he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. 9And for this God raised him high, and gave him the name which is above all other names; 10so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus 11and that every tongue should acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phili.2: 5-11(NJB) Even Jesus found equality with God, yet he never compromised it for the sake of all humanity's salvation, accepting death on the horrible cross. His rigorous act of humility removed the pride of wicked nature from all humanity and caused salivation in all nations on the planet. This way, through the Cross, Jesus will express and glorify his mission on earth by offering up his life on Calvary and defeating all evils on earth and in heaven. 

  Isaiah 42:1–4 (NJB): Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I have sent my spirit upon him, he will bring fair judgement to the nations. 2 He does not cry out or raise his voice, his voice is not heard in the street; 3 he does not break the crushed reed or snuff the faltering wick. Faithfully he presents fair judgement; 4 he will not grow faint, he will not be crushed until he has established fair judgement on earth, and the coasts and islands are waiting for his instruction. Isiah prophesies through the Spirit of God of Christ's passion, the hardships and persecutions he must endure before fulfilling the most Holy Sacrifice on earth. The faithfulness of Jesus in his unshakeable mission that Heavenly Father entrusted in Jesus Christ for His chosen people and to do for all nations 

  Judas attempted to betray Jesus in order to make a profit from it. He asked the chief priests what he would receive when he handed over Jesus to them. They gave him 30 Shekhels as payment for his treason.  Matthew 26:14–16 (NJB): Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, ‘What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty silver pieces, 16 and from then onwards he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. The prophecy of Prophet Zachariah was fulfilled when Judas took the thirty Shekhels from the chief priests to betray Jesus. Judas was trying to get Jesus to betray him and give him over to the chief priests. Zech. 11:12–13 (NJB): I then said to them, ‘If you see fit, give me my wages; if not, never mind.’ So they weighed out my wages: thirty shekels of silver. 13 Yahweh said to me, ‘Throw it to the smelter, this princely sum at which they have valued me!’ Taking the thirty shekels of silver, I threw them into the Temple of Yahweh, for the smelter. 

   Matthew 26:21–26 (NJB): And while they were eating he said, ‘In truth I tell you, one of you is about to betray me.’ 22 They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, ‘Not me, Lord, surely?’ 23 He answered, ‘Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me will betray me. 24 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!’ 25 Judas, who was to betray him, asked in his turn, ‘Not me, Rabbi, surely?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is you who say it.’ Jesus knew who would betray him, but he continued to love Judas. The agony he faced on earth was betrayal and rejection from his loved ones, as well as his apostles and disciples. This indifference caused him immense anguish, despite his most humble and gentle nature. He loved everyone, including his adversaries, and he had forgiven everyone. Lord Jesus, meek and humble of heart make our hearts like yours! 

The Passion of Christ

Passion of Christ Part XIV

Let us awake and prudent to meet our Lord in the watches of the night

   Even the disciples couldn't grasp the mystery of Jesus' death on the Cross and resurrection.  Peter started rebuking him. Jesus was telling them that he had to suffer and die on the crucifixion, and that on the third day he would be raised from the dead. Even St Peter was perplexed at first by the mystery of dying on the cross. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, the Father revealed to us that He is the Son of God and that we should believe in him. Jesus is encouraging us to meditate on the heavenly things and follow his commandments. We are to see things from a spiritual perspective rather than the way most people do. Jesus is very worried about us, and only he knows the depth of the salvation God has prepared for us. Mt 16:21-23 From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. 22 Then, taking him aside ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord,’ he said, ‘this must not happen to you.’ 23 But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.’ The apostles and disciples accompanied him throughout his mission. First and foremost, He picked them to join him. Jesus is asking me and you how well we know him. Jesus mentioned his sacrifice multiple times in order for them to understand the mystery of salvation, as planned by the Heavenly Father. Before Jesus may fulfill his mission, he must first preach the Good News to the Israelites and all other nations.

  Being with Jesus is extremely vital. How Jesus will be with us always; we should be like those smart wedding attendants. The wedding attendants were very wise and stayed awake during the watches of the night, to greet the Divine Master. 1………….Where as the sensible ones, took flasks of oil as well as their lamps. 5The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. 6But at midnight there was a cry, "Look! The bridegroom! Go out and meet him." 7Then all those wedding attendants woke up and trimmed their lamps, 11The other attendants arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us.” 12 But he replied, “In truth I tell you, I do not know you.” 13 So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour. Matt.25: 1-13 The brides were went along with the Master, Jesus Christ.  Before the passion and death Jesus gave this parable to the apostles and his desciples. The intelligent women kept the lamps burning by filling them with oil until Jesus welcomed them to the wedding feast. The five sensible virgins turned on the lamps and followed our Lord to be with Him. We don't know when Jesus will return for the final judgment, but we will all have to face it. 

  When we are depressed or have doubts about our faith, recall Jesus' death on the Cross and pray fervently by looking at the Crucifix. We can see that out faith is restored by Jesus. So let us create a place for the Lord in our hearts and pray that he would allow us to be with him when the Last Day he arrives.