WEEK SEVENTEEN: SENTENCE OF DEATH AND PASSION DAY 2
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on John 18: 4-8: The Arrest of Jesus:
"Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, "Whom are you looking for?" They answered him, "Jesus the Nazorean." He said to them, "I AM." Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, "I AM," they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, "Whom are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus the Nazorean." Jesus answered, "I told you that I AM. So if you are looking for me, let these men go." [Please read John 18: 1-14 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; then pray using John 18: 4-8; ask for sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, tears and deep grief because of the great affliction Christ endures for me (#203).
The encounter between Jesus and the band of soldiers led by Judas makes several things clear. One, Jesus was going to His crucifixion and death of His own accord. The Jewish leadership was totally invested in projecting Jesus as a heretic and criminal, worthy of capital punishment. Hence, they were orchestrating His crucifixion and death! In the encounter, however, Jesus' view prevails. He lets His arresters know that He is I AM. Immediately, Judas and his band turned away and fell to the ground! They could arrest Him only because Jesus allowed them. Two, in demonstrating His divinity, Jesus was making it clear that His mission on earth was to bring salvation to the whole world. He could be our Savior because He is God! Lastly, a sharp contrast is evident between the actions of Judas and the soldiers, and Jesus' behavior. There is a majestic and noble sweep about Jesus' actions. He is totally other-than Judas and the soldiers. Jesus is Holy. Jesus is God!
Knowing everything that was going to happen to Him. God always reveals what He is going to do and the question He asks is whom are YOU looking for? God freely accepts our sins upon Him to die on the cross and He asks the question. What will we do with the free gift of eternal life? Will we squander it as Judas did, will we make a mess of it as Peter did but figure it out in the end? Next week we enter into Holy Week, I suggest that you enter in with the knowledge that God, the Great I AM, gives you and take an accounting of your life. Are you living wisely filled with the knowledge that God gives those whom He is communion with or will you let life interfere and become distracted possibly facing the trials that Judas faced.
What is God saying to you? Live in the presence of the sacrifice. I freely accepted the will of My Father knowing it would change lives and bring Him joy, will you do the same?
Dear Father, I sit in Your Presence in awe of what You are doing, I am overwhelmed by the commitment that You made for us individually. In our daily conversations, You reveal the majesty of Heaven, You share moments of joy along with moments of suffering. I thank You for all the graces You bestow upon us, especially the grace of life. Wake the sleeping Lord to the joy they are missing by not offering up their treasure of time with You. Prayers for a young lady recovering from surgery who is filled with Your joy, bring her back to full health and peace. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Patriarch of David, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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