Judas--the first freed soul?

"Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, 'Surely it is not I, Rabbi?' (Jesus) answered, 'You have said so.'"

Matthew 26:25

 

I have been mystified by Judas ever since I was a kid.  He seemed like such a sinister character in some movie I watched deep into my childhood. In fact, I can still see him hanging there, from a tree, after taking his own life.  I've spent time comparing his sin to Peter's denial and felt fairly sure that Jesus would have forgiven Judas, indeed, DID forgive Judas.  I believe Judas was, perhaps, the first desolate soul Jesus visited and set free after his own death.  We never know at what point a soul recognizes Jesus coming toward him just before death.  I take comfort in the fact that God doesn't want to lose a single one of us.  God gives us every chance to come around.  Before he gave up his life in despair, Judas recognized his error and went back to the Chief Priests to correct his mistake and give back the silver.  Judas knew he was wrong.  Today, according to the Holy Week Sequence, should be a day of silence and prayer, preparing for the Holy Triduum.  Carve out some time to just be alone with Jesus today or tonight.  Spend some time, thanking God that we don't have to despair like Judas.  We know that Jesus lives and forgives.  Love, heidi

I'll save you!!

"'Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.'"

John 13:37

 

If I had to choose who I am in today's Gospel, I feel I'd choose Peter.  Dear Peter, so boastful and full of himself.  "I'll stick with you!  I'll help!"  And then, just like Peter, I would wimp out when push comes to shove. It's so easy to say we're strong and can handle something, but completely different when it actually happens and our boastfulness is put to the test.  Or when difficult times come and our faith is put to the test.  Lucky for me and my look-alike Peter, Jesus gives us a second chance.  "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (John 21:17)  Jesus asks Peter after the Resurrection, three times--one for each of Peter's denials.  Peter has the opportunity to make it right with Jesus, and so do we.  Let's walk the journey this week, Friends!  Even though we feel powerless and weak.  We need to just BE there with Jesus!  Love, heidi

Who am I? Where is my heart?

 “We would do well to ask just one question: who am I? Who am I, before my Lord? Who am I, who enters into Jerusalem in celebration? Am I able to express my joy, to praise Him? Or do I keep distant? Who am I, before Jesus Who suffers?”

Pope Francis, during his Palm Sunday homily (link below)

 

This was an amazing thing to sit and pray with today, Palm Sunday.  I decided that I probably would be a person in the crowd, following the whole deal, but too afraid to become involved.  I would have possibly been a follower of Jesus, finding him fascinating and wanting to be around him, but completely fearful to rock the boat as Jesus entered into his Passion.  I would be too fearful about what would happen to me--it's all about me, you see, unfortunately.  Maybe I wouldn't be one who shouts, "Crucify him!" But I also wouldn't race up and offer to wipe his face with my veil or scold the soldiers for being too rough.  I would, however, walk along the road to Calvary.  Jesus would glance over and see me in the crowd.  I could look into his eyes and my heart would beat faster and, just for an instant, I would want to do something--anything! But, fear would take over and I would helplessly just walk along.  The look in Jesus' eyes will stay with me forever.  The love. The compassion.  Jesus knows my fear and yet, Jesus reveals his love for me in his eyes. "It'll be OK," Jesus' eyes tell me.  My prayer for this Holy Week is this:

Jesus, I want to share your journey and maybe comfort you just a tiny bit.  Please help me to stay awake, to be with you every step of the way.  Please don't let me get distracted by the trivia of this world this week.  I want to only walk with you on this difficult journey.  Amen.  Love, heidi 

Pope on Palm Sunday: Where is my heart before the suffering Jesus?

			Pope on Palm Sunday: Where is my heart before the suffer... (Vatican Radio) In the narrative of Christ’s Passion and Death, who am I?
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Food for the heart...

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way.  What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.  It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends. What you will read, whom you will know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. 

Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything."

Pedro Arrupe, SJ, as quoted in "Moved to Greater Love"

 

I can add nothing to this, except to encourage us all to spend some time pondering it and praying with it!  Love, heidi

Get rid of false gods!

"...we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue that you set up."

Daniel 3:18

 

This reading gets me double checking to see what god I am worshipping.  The god of personal success? The god of 30% off at Kohl's? The god of Make-sure-people-like-me? These are all false gods I seem to gravitate to at one time or another.  Now is a good time to dismantle the altars I have for them and worship the only God there is: the God who urges me to use my gifts for the glory of God alone. The God who desires that I live simply, humbly and charitably. The God who loves me enough that I don't have to compromise myself to make sure others love me.  That God.  Are there any altars you need to dismantle before Holy Week in your house?  Love, heidi

Good question!

"So they said to him, 'Who are you?'"

John 8:25

 

The Pharisees give us a fabulous question to ponder as we journey toward Holy Week! It is the perfect time to sit, in silence, pray and really ask ourselves, Who IS Jesus? Is Jesus a person in history? A savior? A friend? The guy in line at the soup kitchen? If we spend time with Jesus, he will answer the question for us.  Just like Jesus said to the Pharisees, Jesus answered me, "I AM."

"I AM all you want.  I AM all you need. I AM all you have..." 

And that is an amazing way to start a Tuesday!  Ask Jesus yourself... Love, heidi