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Monday of Holy Week
St. Luke Institute
March 25, 2013
JUDAS’
BOTTOM LINE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø “...and Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the
one who would betray him, said, "Why was this oil not sold for three
hundred days' wages and given to the poor?"
Ø Judas is not
kidding anybody – least of all Jesus
Ø Judas'
protesting Mary's extravagance in using costly perfume to anoint Jesus has
nothing to do with helping the poor
Ø It's about
the bottom line, Judas' bottom line
Ø He invokes
the poor and needy – but Jesus sees right through it
OUR
BOTTOM LINE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø That's the striking
thing about Holy Week
Ø All of our
rationales and justifications for acting in our own interests at the expense of
others collapse in the shadow of the cross
Ø We have
convinced ourselves that
o Our cynicism
is wisdom
o Our hesitation
to forgive is prudence
o Our turning
away from those is need is based on justice and self-reliance
Ø But all of
those postures and facades fall before the accused Jesus, before the condemned
Jesus, before the crucified Jesus
A
NEW BOTTOM LINE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø This week,
as we pray the accounts of Jesus' passion and death, we let go of our sense of
self
Ø We need to
empty ourselves of our fears, our doubts, our hesitancy to act with the compassion
and generosity of Jesus
HOPES
FOR HOLY WEEK ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø May this
Holy Week be the beginning of our own resurrection in heart and in spirit
Ø
In Jesus’ selfless & humble emptying of himself
for us, he’s transformed our lives from despair to hope
o
From pain to wholeness
o
From sadness to joy
o
From death to life
Ø
May we empty ourselves of selfishness and
artificiality to become vessels of his grace and forgiveness
Ø
May we break open our jars of compassion and
generosity to fill our families and this community with our peace and healing
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
