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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Jesus’ death and Resurrection is the most important moment in human history, an event of literally cosmic significance. And so, when you stop to think about it, it is remarkable that Jesus chooses to set this infinitely unique and important moment in the context of His traditional Jewish faith and the ritual of Passover. On the night before the Son of God is to die for the sins of the entire human race throughout all of human history, this is what is most important to Him: that He celebrate the Passover meal with His disciples, and so connect this ritual commemoration of Israel’s freedom from bondage with His new Covenant of eternal freedom from sin and death.
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We see a scene full of mixed emotions; love vs betrayal, grace vs human freedom, positive courage vs failure through betrayal of the one I promise to love. Even Jesus knowing his hour was near and what was to happen does not give in to abandon the humanity. We have many times looked on the betrayal part of Judas which lack personal choice of return due to excess despair and Peter’s betrayal that antithetically to Judas does not end on remorse but on the Mercy of loving Jesus and so Peter chooses repentance and reformation.
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I came across a stand-up comedy bit recently. The comedian says, “You ever notice, after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, you never see them hanging out again?” Think about that for a moment. Lazarus had a bad day. Not a flat tire. Not a bad meeting. He died. That’s already a terrible day. Day one: “Okay this is new.” Day two: “I am Still dead. Not improving.” Day three: “Alright, I think this is permanent.” Day four: “You know what? I’ve accepted it. I’ve processed it. I’ve let go. I’ve moved on.” He’s finally at peace. Maybe he’s thinking, “This is actually not bad. No bills, no responsibilities, no family WhatsApp groups.” Everything is calm.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
As we move towards Holy Week in this Lenten season, the tone of our readings is gradually changing. There is increasing opposition or resistance to Christ. There is opposition to who Christ was, and opposition to his mission. Today in our gospel we hear that “the Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus” and his response to their action was that “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” He had healed the sick, made the blind see, raised the dead, made the lame walk, and here he was being harassed and almost being killed.
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Holy lives of inspiration | Learn more about our faith
In Lent we often speak about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. But Lent is also a search for truth: not just ideas about God, but a deeper knowledge of God himself, and a clearer decision about whether we will live as his people. In today’s Scriptures, the Lord reveals two great truths. First, God binds himself to his people in a covenant—a promise he began with Abraham that he intended not for Abraham alone, but for every generation, including our own. God commits himself to us: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.”
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Sometimes when a child misbehaves continuously, especially in public places at some point, a parent may give a serious look that indicates to the child you have to stop what you are doing. It is time to change that. It is a sign that the child's behavior is no longer tolerated. In the Gospel today Jesus is no longer giving the serious warning eye but is spilling out the beans. He seems tough and tired of people's disbelief. He indicates to the listeners that his journey to the Father is near by saying, ‘I am going away.’ and the people will have the urge to be with Him, but He won’t be found. This resembles the urge of repentance and change as we read in Isaiah 55:6 ‘seek the Lord while he may be found, call to him when is near.’ Jesus is telling them recognize me now as your messiah. Remember in the previous texts He had just taught them is the ‘bread of life,’ and ‘the light of the world.’ Therefore, in His absence there is darkness which is evil and sin.
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