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Monday, March 17, 2008

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Holy Week


Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27
John 12:1-11

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the week

"Here is My Servant Whom I uphold, My Chosen One with Whom I am pleased, upon Whom I have put My Spirit." —Isaiah 42:1

In this Holy Week, Jesus will "open the eyes of the blind...bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness" (Is 42:7). This can be one of the greatest weeks of our lives, if we throw ourselves at Jesus' feet and worship Him (see Jn 12:3). As we fix our eyes on Him (Heb 12:2), He will open our eyes and heal our blindness. As we worship Him freely, He will free us from prison, confinement, the dungeon, and darkness.

However, it's easy to ignore Jesus — even in Holy Week. He refuses to demand our attention. He does not cry out, shout, or make His voice heard (Is 42:2). He is quiet, gentle, and humble of heart (Mt 11:29). Jesus will even let us scold Him, as Judas Iscariot did (see Jn 12:4ff). He will even let us crucify Him, as we do through each of our sins.

In a manner of speaking, we can continue to crucify Him and hold Him up to contempt (Heb 6:6; Catechism, 598). Throughout this Holy Week and on Good Friday, will your life cry out "Hosanna" or "Crucify Him"? Let Jesus be Lord of this week and of your life.

Prayer:  Father, let Holy Week be done unto me according to Your word (Lk 1:38).

Promise:  "I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations." —Is 42:6

Praise:  Having confessed her sins and truly repented, Helen joyfully says, "Hosanna!"

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Job Performance For Jesus or our audio tape AV 43-3 or video V-43.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 14, 2007

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