These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
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. (Jn 12:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041425.cfm
The plot to kill Lazarus is always a shocker. Even more, the other gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) erase any mention of Lazarus. We are not sure why this silence about the raising of Lazarus, one of the greatest “signs” that Jesus worked. There’s no substitute to actually reading the gospel texts. The Word invites us to follow the Lord each day of this Holy Week.
Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Lk 22:14-23:56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041325.cfm
There is a marvelous film called, Of Gods and Men (2010) which tells the story of the Trappist monks who were martyred in Algeria in 1996. The abbot writes a thank-you letter to the terrorist who would murder him: “Yes, to you as well I address this thank you and this goodbye. May we meet again, happy thieves in Paradise, if it pleases God the Father of us both. Amen. Insha'Allah.” The video is the last supper scene that these monks would share together. The seven monks were beatified in 2018.
https://youtu.be/rrYLJzA1eNs
Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” (Jn 11:45-56)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041225.cfm
Not only will Jesus come to the feast, but Jesus will become the feast, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. May your Holy Week, the Great Week, be filled with joy, and may you experience God’s love in abundance.
How can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. (Jn 10:31-42)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041125.cfm
The question of who Jesus is, is central for everyone. As Holy Week draws near, the Liturgy brings us even closer to the Lord as we follow in his footsteps day by day and are caught up in his love for us.
When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him: "My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations. (Gen 17:3-9)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041025.cfm
The readings and the responsorial psalm all speak of Abraham, our father in faith. In the gospel, Jesus solemnly declares: "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM." As the Hour of Jesus’ glorification approaches we rejoice together with Abraham to see the day of Christ.
