Wednesday of Holy Week

First Reading – Isaiah 50:4-9

A Wise Man Once Said…..

The Cenacle, Site of the Last Supper

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
    so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
    and opens my understanding to his will.
 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
    and I have listened.
    I have not rebelled or turned away.

I thought today we could switch things up and reflect a bit on the first reading from Isaiah.  The key word here is WISDOM!  It is the one of what is called the Servant Songs in Isaiah and offers a foreshadowing of Jesus in its verses.  It reflects on a Servant who not only hears but speaks the Word of God and shares His words of Wisdom!  He hears the Word and welcomes it; he does not shy away from it or reject it.  It speaks of a man who is both teacher and student, one who spreads the Wisdom of God but remains open to growth in the Spirit and in wisdom.

Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Spirit has showered upon us all the Gift of Wisdom and Understanding.  But the Gospel reminds us today that wisdom is not just hearing and speaking the Word of God.  Too often, we mistake knowledge for wisdom.  But there is a real difference.  I always remind people that knowledge is knowing that tomatoes are a fruit, NOT a vegetable!  And Wisdom?  Wisdom is NOT putting tomatoes into a fruit salad!

That example is a clear reminder that it is not enough to just speak wisely!  We are also called to act wisely!  Judas in today’s Gospel has problems in both respects. We find the Apostles preparing for Passover– finding a room, securing the proper food and then gathering for the Seder meal.  But while all the other disciples are busy preparing for Passover, Judas is speaking to the Jewish leaders and offers to hand Jesus over to them for judgment.  He not only speaks unwisely; he acts without wisdom as he seeks an opportunity to betray Jesus.  While he has heard the words of Jesus countless times, he has failed to entrust them into his heart and his life.  That is a difficult task for each and every one of us.

Great Spirit, help me appreciate the role you have given me.  Let my senses be sharp to hear Your voice.  Keep my mind clean so that I may do the things You would have me do.  Aho!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Sunday – 13 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 10:37-42 The Cost/Rewards of Discipleship Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem I’m holding in my hand a simple piece of paper, barely bigger than an index card.   It’s a mini-golf scorecard and it’s 47 years old.   At the time, the game itself probably cost only about $6.   Certainly a lot less than you would pay today.   So the cost today doesn’t seem like much.   But for me all that time ago, it was a wealth of money.   So it cost me a lot.   But the rewards of the card?   Well, that is priceless.   This was one of the first dates Ginger and I went on.   And who would have guessed how that would turn out?   All the memories we have shared, painful and joyful.   All the times we have shared together and the people who have touched our lives!   Priceless! Cost and reward!   Two vastly different concepts but they play a key role in all of today’s readings.   In the first reading, a rich woman goes out of her way t
Read more
Image
  14 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 11:25-30 The “Little Ones” Open Market, Jerusalem There’s a story about a rather eccentric teacher who was always looking for creative ways to test (torture) his students.   Sometimes it was crazy project and sometimes it was a wacky exam that tested not just their knowledge but also their experience. So one day he hands out a test, typical normal test, Q/A, except this was the last question.   What’s the name of the school janitor?   One of his students looked at the question and thought – I know he’s short, wears glasses and has light brown hair but how in the world would I know his name?   So he left it blank and turned in his paper. When class was over, he went up to the teacher and asked whether that last question would count in the test grade.   Absolutely, said the teacher.   Throughout your whole life, you will find that every person you cross paths with is important, significant.   They deserve you
Read more
Image
  16 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 13:24-30 Be Patient, My Child Tied Up in Knots! Many years ago, I remember one summer when it was time for our daughter Jaime to learn how to ride a bicycle.   So I took off the training wheels, she climbed onto the bike and proceeded to take off.   I followed close behind, holding onto the back bumper, trying to keep the bike upright and trying to make sure she didn’t fall.   It was exhausting for both of us.   I thought I was being a good dad by doing everything I could to keep her from falling.   But it didn’t work.   We were both getting frustrated.   Finally, she had had enough and she banished me to sit on the front porch while she worked it out on her own.   It took time and it took a lot of patience, something neither one of us had much of at the start of the process. I was getting impatient with the process and she was getting impatient with me.   Patience was in short supply.   But in the end, patience w
Read more