March 26, Tuesday of Holy Week
Daily Readings: Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38
The text of the first reading of the day gives us the Second Song of the Suffering Servant. Two people are speaking. The first one is the prophet, or Israel as a nation. It could also be the Messiah, and the second one is the Lord Himself. The prophet/Israel/Messiah speaks about his vocation and the privilege of being called and named already when he was in his mother’s womb. It was God who formed him. The Lord confirmed his role as His servant, a position that would bring Him glory. The Lord entrusted him with another greater assignment: it was to become a light to the nations so that the salvation of God might also reach the Gentile nations. God’s concern goes beyond Israel. He is a God for all people and the Jewish people cannot claim monopoly over Him and still manage to abandon Him.
Jesus is at the table of the Last Supper. He has taught them many lessons on humility and service. It is at this juncture that he feels troubled in spirit and reveals that one of the Twelve will betray him. He also provides ample clues about the individual who will betray him. He receives the piece of bread from Jesus. Judas Iscariot received the body of Jesus but the one who entered his body was Satan. The receiver’s heart defines what he received. And he goes out into the darkness. Satan works in darkness. It is symbolic, after all. The Johannine struggle with dualism, such as light and darkness, continues here too.
Jesus calls the moment of betrayal the moment of glorification. The first reading becomes clearer. Ironically, when we glorify Jesus, we also glorify God the Father. Then Jesus solemnly announces his plan to go away. Peter wants to know where he is going. Peter, with all his enthusiasm and zeal, ends up fickle-minded. He promised that he would lay down his life for Jesus. He would certainly do that one day. But for the time being, he is not ready. He will deny having any connection with Jesus, not once but three times.
Call to Action for Catholic Living: Zeal and enthusiasm are things that most people possess by nature or are forced to acquire in adverse circumstances. What is more important is to show them in real-life situations. Certainly, it is easier said than done.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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