Making a Joyful Noise through Holy Week – 04/16/2014

Making a Joyful Noise through Holy Week – 04/16/2014

“The genius of each people receives in its own way the entire Gospel and embodies it in expressions of prayer, fraternity, justice, struggle and celebration. The good news is the joy of the Father who desires that none of his little ones be lost, the joy of the Good Shepherd who finds the lost sheep and brings it back to the flock. The Gospel is the leaven which causes the dough to rise and the city on the hill whose light illumines all peoples. The Gospel has an intrinsic principle of totality: it will always remain good news until it has been proclaimed to all people, until it has healed and strengthened every aspect of humanity, until it has brought all men and women together at table in God’s kingdom. The whole is greater than the part.”(Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel)

The words of Pope Francis today remind us of something that Judas forgot, that the whole is greater than the part. Judas lost sight of the joy of the Gospel. Judas lost sight of his friendship with God. Judas lost sight of the presence of God within himself. He not only betrayed Jesus, he betrayed himself. Let us trust in the joy of the Gospel and not betray God or ourselves!

Spy Wednesday, (Isaiah 50: 4-9a and Matthew 26: 14-25), the day in which we remember Judas’ actions many years ago. A companion, a friend of Jesus yet he allows the forces of darkness, the forces of evil to become more a friend than Jesus.

We do not truly know what motivated Judas. Was it his desire for money? Was it that he truly thought he would scare Jesus into changing his approach to life? Was it that he saw Jesus as a threat?  Was it that he was angry with Jesus? Had he been caught stealing money? Was he upset that Jesus challenged him at Lazarus’ house? We just don’t know the motive.

What we do know is the Judas sold Jesus out to the religious leadership. What we do know is that Judas could not admit to Jesus what he was about to do. He could not tell the truth and that until the end he continued to see himself as Jesus’ friend.

The Prophet Isaiah today once again reminds himself of who his friend truly is, God. That no matter what happens God is there to protect Isaiah in his ministry as prophet. It is not easy but Isaiah is faithful to his ministry and God is faithful to Isaiah, helping him through the struggle.

We encounter Isaiah’s words and in them we see Jesus. We listen to Isaiah’s words and hear Jesus speaking. Jesus is the servant who suffers, the servant who trusts in God, the servant who is abandoned by everyone except by God.

The questions for today – Are we with God or against God? Can we remain friends of Jesus or will the trappings of the world cause us to betray him? Can we trust in God even in the midst of our own struggles? It is often said that every person has her or his price, what is our price?

Blessings to all on this Wednesday of Holy Week and don’t forget to make a joyful noise with your life today!

Daily Holy Week Prayer: At the name of Jesus every knee must bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father! Loving God, help us to always be faithful and may the gods of the world not temp us into betraying our friendship with you. Grace us with the strength to always trust in your presence especially when we struggle. Help us to keep hope and joy alive through your word and sacrament! Amen!

A Runner’s Thoughts: If, in running we desire is to connect with God, to pray, then that is what we are doing. Keeping that desire at the forefront of our thoughts and remaining conscious of our intent is very important. Remember seek God and you will find God in every good thing!

Daily Blessing: Greetings to everyone on this Spy Wednesday! I hope you are having a good day. I would like to send a shout out to all the people who made the retreat at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish. It was a wonderful four days there and a great spirit during the retreat. I would also like to thank the staff for being so hospitable and all the families who hosted me for dinner each night. I have never eaten so well in my preaching travels.

The closing session of retreat was last night and like the previous two nights it was a wonderful faith filled experience. My prayers remain with all at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish especially with those who shared their struggles with me. The retreat was a good beginning to the week however my week is only half over as I now move on the St. Barnabas Parish tomorrow. I will be preaching the Triduum there Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. I have two masses tomorrow one in the morning for the school at 9:30 am and then at 7:30 pm which will be The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, then two Good Friday Services, the Easter Vigil and an Easter Sunday Morning Mass at 11:30 am. So if you are in the area come and celebrate with us.

Hopefully your day, today, will be filled with God’s many blessings and as I have said all week so far, I pray that you will take some time to enter into the holiness of these next few days. If not, if you are busy, please know that as I journey through them you will be held in my prayers. May prayer of blessing today is that God will bless you with the trust, the faith, the hope, the love and the joy to never give up on your relationship with God. That you will always know even in the midst of struggles that God is always with you and that God will never leave you to face life alone! Holy Week Blessings and Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul