Monday of Holy Week
Readings for Monday of Holy Week[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Isaiah 42:1-7
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
Upon whom I have put my Spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
Not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
A bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
Until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spreads out the earth with its crops,
Who gives breath to its people
and spirit to those who walk on it:
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,
To open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Is 42:1-7
This is the first of the four “Servant of the Lord” oracles from Isaiah. Speaking as the mouth of God, the prophet speaks of a renewal of Israel in his time. The servant comes, not as a violent zealot but with the quiet power of God (“A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench”). We see the deeper meaning as his words describe the coming of the Christ who brings justice on the earth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
When evildoers come at me
to devour my flesh,
My foes and my enemies
themselves stumble and fall.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R The Lord is my light and my salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
This section of the psalm is a profession of faith in the salvation that comes only from the Lord God. This selection is frequently used in Christian Funerals because of the hope and encouragement embodied in it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 12:1-11
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil
made from genuine aromatic nard
and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;
the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,
and the one who would betray him, said,
"Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages
and given to the poor?"
He said this not because he cared about the poor
but because he was a thief and held the money bag
and used to steal the contributions.
So 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."
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,
not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,
whom he had raised from the dead.
And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
because many of the Jews were turning away
and believing in Jesus because of him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 12:1-11
In this scene from St. John’s Gospel we are painted a picture of Judas not found in other accounts. John shows him as a greedy and dishonest person. We suspect this understanding of Judas came after his ultimate act of betrayal. At the time it would have seemed like a reasonable question. (In St. Mark’s Gospel this event takes place two days before the Passover Feast as opposed to the six mentioned here. See Mark 14: 1-5.)
Jesus again tells the disciples that the time for his trial is at hand as he tells them; “You will always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” The sense of finality is growing as we are also told of the plot to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus in an attempt to stamp out the Lord’s popularity among the people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
We look in awe at the tableau set before us on the first weekday of our Holy Week. We see in the setting painted by St. John an encapsulation of Jesus ministry on earth.
Jesus is at the house of his good friend Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. In these familiar surroundings he is accompanied by the twelve (we assume so because Judas is there (being painted the villain by St. John). In typical fashion, Martha is doing all the heavy lifting while Mary, her sister is at the feet of Jesus. And in the background the Evangelist reminds us of the plots of the Scribes and Pharisees, here also planning to kill Lazarus because of his witness to the salvific power of Christ.
We consider each in turn. First we look at the Lord who now perceives the end of his time among us. As he reclines at table with his friends, Mary, Lazarus’ sister brings a very expensive vase of oil and anoints Jesus’ feet, wiping them, we are told, with her hair. This tender act must seem an affront to those with him. But to Jesus who senses the cross looming, it is a preparation for his departure. He silences Judas, the only one who verbally complains telling him that there will be plenty of time to serve the poor (“You always have the poor with you”). In this comment Jesus tells us that while the poor must by tended by his followers, they must also draw strength from their adoration of Christ. How can one feed the poor if their spiritual reservoir is drained.
We consider the sisters, Martha and Mary; Martha the head and Mary the heart. Martha is assuming her customary role serving the household guests. We must assume, given our own experience with those who feel obligated to take on the less pleasant duties of hospitality, that she is aware of what is taking place at the table. She has dropped her customary “attitude” (she tends to treat Jesus like a brother, complaining to him about Mary, chastising him for being late when his brother was ill (dead)). She knows about what is coming. She is the practical one after all. She may even have given Mary the money to go buy he expensive oil she now lavishes on Christ. Our vision of her at this time is one who has compartmentalized her emotions. Inside she is afraid of what is coming (perhaps for her brother as well). She is likely torn because of her great faith in Christ but that needs to be put aside – there are guest to feed, a table to be tended. If we look closely at her as she brings food to the table we may see a tear in the corner of her eye.
Her sister Mary on the other had wears her heart on her sleeve as she performs the ritual yet intimate anointing of the Lord’s feet. This is not done with workman like dignity; we see her caressing the feet that will soon be pierced with spikes as Jesus is nailed to the cross. Does she know or suspect? The details are hidden from her but her love of Jesus is clear to all. Given the emotional charge her actions add to the scene, it would not be surprising if Judas’ outburst was more out of embarrassment than or concern for the worth of the oil.
The Gospel author clearly does not paint Judas that way. His Gospel tells us that the youngest Apostle never trusted the holder of the purse. He goes so far in this passage as to call him “…but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions.”
Regardless of his intentions, we have now considered the picture in the hose of Lazarus. We ask ourselves in this Holy Week where we see ourselves? Are we buried in work like Martha? Are we weeping at the feet of Jesus like Mary? Are we a bit put out over the whole thing like Judas? Or are we like Lazarus who is grateful to have his Savior with him?
As we walk these last few days of Lent, let us pray that we might have the best attributes of all, Martha’s strength, Mary’s love, even Judas’ concern for the poor. Time is flying by now; we pray that we do not get lost in anticipation.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “St Mary Magdalene” by Carlo Dolci, 1644-46
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
Readings for Monday of Holy Week[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Isaiah 42:1-7
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
Upon whom I have put my Spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
Not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
A bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
Until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.
Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spreads out the earth with its crops,
Who gives breath to its people
and spirit to those who walk on it:
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,
To open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Is 42:1-7
This is the first of the four “Servant of the Lord” oracles from Isaiah. Speaking as the mouth of God, the prophet speaks of a renewal of Israel in his time. The servant comes, not as a violent zealot but with the quiet power of God (“A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench”). We see the deeper meaning as his words describe the coming of the Christ who brings justice on the earth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
When evildoers come at me
to devour my flesh,
My foes and my enemies
themselves stumble and fall.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R The Lord is my light and my salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 27:1, 2, 3, 13-14
This section of the psalm is a profession of faith in the salvation that comes only from the Lord God. This selection is frequently used in Christian Funerals because of the hope and encouragement embodied in it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: John 12:1-11
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil
made from genuine aromatic nard
and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;
the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,
and the one who would betray him, said,
"Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages
and given to the poor?"
He said this not because he cared about the poor
but because he was a thief and held the money bag
and used to steal the contributions.
So 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."
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,
not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,
whom he had raised from the dead.
And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
because many of the Jews were turning away
and believing in Jesus because of him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Jn 12:1-11
In this scene from St. John’s Gospel we are painted a picture of Judas not found in other accounts. John shows him as a greedy and dishonest person. We suspect this understanding of Judas came after his ultimate act of betrayal. At the time it would have seemed like a reasonable question. (In St. Mark’s Gospel this event takes place two days before the Passover Feast as opposed to the six mentioned here. See Mark 14: 1-5.)
Jesus again tells the disciples that the time for his trial is at hand as he tells them; “You will always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” The sense of finality is growing as we are also told of the plot to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus in an attempt to stamp out the Lord’s popularity among the people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
We look in awe at the tableau set before us on the first weekday of our Holy Week. We see in the setting painted by St. John an encapsulation of Jesus ministry on earth.
Jesus is at the house of his good friend Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. In these familiar surroundings he is accompanied by the twelve (we assume so because Judas is there (being painted the villain by St. John). In typical fashion, Martha is doing all the heavy lifting while Mary, her sister is at the feet of Jesus. And in the background the Evangelist reminds us of the plots of the Scribes and Pharisees, here also planning to kill Lazarus because of his witness to the salvific power of Christ.
We consider each in turn. First we look at the Lord who now perceives the end of his time among us. As he reclines at table with his friends, Mary, Lazarus’ sister brings a very expensive vase of oil and anoints Jesus’ feet, wiping them, we are told, with her hair. This tender act must seem an affront to those with him. But to Jesus who senses the cross looming, it is a preparation for his departure. He silences Judas, the only one who verbally complains telling him that there will be plenty of time to serve the poor (“You always have the poor with you”). In this comment Jesus tells us that while the poor must by tended by his followers, they must also draw strength from their adoration of Christ. How can one feed the poor if their spiritual reservoir is drained.
We consider the sisters, Martha and Mary; Martha the head and Mary the heart. Martha is assuming her customary role serving the household guests. We must assume, given our own experience with those who feel obligated to take on the less pleasant duties of hospitality, that she is aware of what is taking place at the table. She has dropped her customary “attitude” (she tends to treat Jesus like a brother, complaining to him about Mary, chastising him for being late when his brother was ill (dead)). She knows about what is coming. She is the practical one after all. She may even have given Mary the money to go buy he expensive oil she now lavishes on Christ. Our vision of her at this time is one who has compartmentalized her emotions. Inside she is afraid of what is coming (perhaps for her brother as well). She is likely torn because of her great faith in Christ but that needs to be put aside – there are guest to feed, a table to be tended. If we look closely at her as she brings food to the table we may see a tear in the corner of her eye.
Her sister Mary on the other had wears her heart on her sleeve as she performs the ritual yet intimate anointing of the Lord’s feet. This is not done with workman like dignity; we see her caressing the feet that will soon be pierced with spikes as Jesus is nailed to the cross. Does she know or suspect? The details are hidden from her but her love of Jesus is clear to all. Given the emotional charge her actions add to the scene, it would not be surprising if Judas’ outburst was more out of embarrassment than or concern for the worth of the oil.
The Gospel author clearly does not paint Judas that way. His Gospel tells us that the youngest Apostle never trusted the holder of the purse. He goes so far in this passage as to call him “…but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions.”
Regardless of his intentions, we have now considered the picture in the hose of Lazarus. We ask ourselves in this Holy Week where we see ourselves? Are we buried in work like Martha? Are we weeping at the feet of Jesus like Mary? Are we a bit put out over the whole thing like Judas? Or are we like Lazarus who is grateful to have his Savior with him?
As we walk these last few days of Lent, let us pray that we might have the best attributes of all, Martha’s strength, Mary’s love, even Judas’ concern for the poor. Time is flying by now; we pray that we do not get lost in anticipation.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture used is “St Mary Magdalene” by Carlo Dolci, 1644-46
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
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