READINGS:
1 R : Is 42: 1 - 7.
Ps 26 : 1, 2, 3, 13 - 14.
Gos : Jn 12 : 1 - 11.
AS A GENERAL INTRODUCTION NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
THIS WEEK, THE HOLY WEEK, IN THE FIRST READING WE WILL BE MEDITATING ON THE FOUR ' SERVANT OF GOD ' SONGS (MONDAY , TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY ).
IN THE GOSPEL PASSAGES WE HAVE THE EVENTS THAT OCCUR JUST BEFORE THE LAST SUPPER AND CRUCIFIXION.
IN TODAY'S SERVANT SONG, THE MANNER AND THE SENSITIVITY WITH WHICH JESUS WILL BE BRINGING ABOUT GOD'S JUSTICE ( MERCY ) TO ALL IS HIGHLIGHTED.
...... HE WILL NOT SHOUT OR LIFT UP HIS VOICE...
......A BRUISED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK, AND A DIMLY BURNING WICK HE WILL NOT QUENCH..
THESE ARE THE TAG LINES!
IN THE ENTIRE MINISTRY OF JESUS WE CAN SEE THE ABOVE WORDS BEING FULFILLED.
ST MATHEW, IN FACT REFERS TO THE ABOVE PASSAGE IN HIS GOSPEL.
HE ALWAYS THOUGHT IN TERMS OF BUILDING RATHER THAN DESTROYING.
TO THE WEAK, THE 'FALLEN ' , SINNERS , THOSE WRITTEN OFF, OUTCASTS, DISEASED..... TO ALL HE GAVE A NEW LEASE OF LIFE AND A NEW HOPE.
MODERN CULTURE IS ' DESTRUCTIVE ' CULTURE.
WE MUST , AS CHRISTIANS SHOULD STRIVE TO ' BUILD ' PEOPLE AND NOT DESTROY THEM.
IN THE GOSPEL WE HAVE MARY POURING OUT HER LOVE AND THE COSTLY OINTMENT OF PURE NARD HAVING ENDURING FRAGRANCE.
JUDAS THINKS OF THE POOR BECAUSE IN THE NAME OF THE POOR HE WAS HELPING HIMSELF.
THEREFORE JESUS CAUTIONS US AGAINST THIS AND EXHORTS US TO BE CAREFUL WITH THOSE WHO ALWAYS REFER ABOUT ' POOR ' AND FILL THEMSELVES.
SECONDLY, WE ALSO SEE THAT JESUS IS AWARE OF HIS IMPENDING DEATH. HE APPRECIATES THE KIND GESTURE OF LOVE SHOWN BY MARY.
WE ALSO SHOULD EXPRESS OUR LOVE TOWARDS JESUS BY OUR LIFE OF CHARITY AND SELF SACRIFICE.
