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The self-sufficient--those who thought they already had everything figured out--had no room in their hearts for Jesus' words. And what a shame!

Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Tuesday of Holy Week

First Reading:
Psalm:
Gospel:

Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
John 13:21-33, 36-38

Whoever is humble, on being humiliated, humbles himself the more; on being rejected, rejoices in the disgrace; on being placed in low and mean occupations, acknowledges himself to be more honored than he deserves, and performs them willingly; and only abhors and avoids exalted and honorable offices.

-- St. Jane Frances de Chantal

The following is, as usual, from The Word Among Us:

Peter's prediction that he would lay down his life for Jesus has gone down as one of the most poignant boasts in all of history. Looking back on it now, we may be tempted to ask: "What was he thinking? But really, things like this happen all the time.

From the dawn of time, when our first parents chose to eat from the tree of knowledge rather than the tree of God's life, pride and self-sufficiency have been our downfall. Over and over again, God invites us to put aside our own agendas and be filled with his wisdom instead. And over and over again, we tend to think we can do just fine on our own. You can just picture God sitting up in heaven waiting for us to finally say: "Okay, Lord, I give up. I admit that I need you. Come and fill me with your grace and power."

One of Jesus' first public statements was that he did not come to heal the healthy but the sick (Mark 2:17). Throughout the gospels, those who responded to Jesus most positively were the ones in greatest need: the poor, the sick, and the demon-possessed. The self-sufficient--those who thought they already had everything figured out--had no room in their hearts for Jesus' words. And what a shame! Imagine how much the kingdom of God could have benefited from the zeal of a few more Pharisees or from the expertise of a few more priests and scribes. But it was not to be, and these leaders missed out on the greatest privilege anyone could know: serving the Lord in the strength of his Spirit.

How about you? How much room do you have in your heart for Jesus today? Don't be like Peter and tell the Lord that you already have all the resources you need to serve him. Admit your need for Jesus' grace and power in your life. Then watch as he pours a flood of the Holy Spirit's power into you, bringing a joy and peace that nothing in this world will ever give you.

"Jesus, I kneel before you now and admit my absolute dependence on your grace. Help me to see that apart from you I can do nothing. May I never boast in my accomplishments but only in you and your mercy."

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God bless.