Date: April 6, 2020 ()

Bible Text: First Reading: IS 42:1-7; Gospel: JN 12:1-11 |

Series:

Lord God, often we cannot discern what is best.

We are now entering into Holy Week, a particular time of our Lenten journey when we fix our focus on the passion of our Savior. Yesterday’s celebration, the Palm Sunday is also otherwise called Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. We heard the Passion account read to serve as an overture to this week-long Holy Days.

We can use the advantage of staying home safe in the Lord as we begin our solemn journey of Jesus’ passion.

We hear from today’s gospel Jesus confronting Judas of his selfish interest. Judas was questioning Mary: “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” But Jesus said: “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

Was Jesus telling this to Judas only to frustrate him of his selfish interests or Jesus really meant something more?

“You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” These words of Jesus are a very fitting reminder for us today on our Holy Week journey. We set aside all other concerns yet so that we will be able to pray with Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane; to bear with His pains at the scourging at the pillar and of the crowning of thorns. We will follow Him in the way of the cross to Calvary and listen to His Last Words. Let there be nothing more important for us today than our Lord. Let us allow the words of Jesus to echo within our hearts as He told his disciples: “Stay awake and keep watch with me and pray.”

We shall make the Holy Week our priority, considering it even more important than our good works. After all, our good works had its source and inspiration from Him, who is the source of all Goodness. Let this be our prayer.

Holy Monday Prayer

Lord God,
Six days before his death, your son sat with Lazarus,
Whom he had raised from the dead,
And ate dinner with his friends.

Once again, your gospel tells us, Martha served,
And Mary knelt at Jesus’ feet
To anoint them with costly perfume.
The disciple who was about to betray him
Said that it was a waste.

He didn’t care about the poor, really –
He just wanted to fill his own pockets
And make Mary feel ashamed.

Lord God,
Often we cannot discern what is best:
When to pour out costly perfume for your sake,
Even if the world thinks it a waste.

When to be busy serving,
Or when to rest at your Son’s feet and learn.
Give us ears to hear you and eyes to see.
For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

https:/www.ibelieve.com/faith/8-prayers-to-pray-each-day-of-holy-week.html