Monday in Holy Week, April 6

Scripture for the Day:

At supper with his friends, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples-- the one whom Jesus loved-- was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.” – John 13:21-32

Reflection –

Jesus is being betrayed by one of His own disciples and then He tells them to love one another as He has loved them. What are the disciples to think? He will be leaving them and they will be left on their own to carry out His mission. Will their faith in His teachings carry them along?

As a high school teenager I was faced with my own question of faith in God. Along came a friend carrying our Jesus’ command to love one another. She wrote the following poem for me when we were counselors at a church summer camp:

Dear child, lift thy burdened thought,
And listen to the Word,
Let not the voice of shattered faith,
Within your heart be heard.

Bind up the wounds of sadness,
Caress the hands of care,
And know that in your trouble,
God’s love is everywhere.

Watch as the fading darkness,
Gives way to heaven’s light,
Lift up your head in gladness,
To worship in delight.

Sweet child of God, be not afraid,
Doubt not the power of love,
Fling wide your arms to happiness,
Seek comfort from above.

And as the clouds are breaking,
To let the sunbeams thru,
Smile up at God and thank Him,
For always guiding you.