Pre-Lent through Easter Prayer and Reflections -- 2007

February 24, 2007

Thirty Pieces of Silver

Only Matthew gives the amount of money Judas was paid to betray Jesus – 30 pieces of silver. But Matthew’s primary interest seems to be its symbolism more than the exact amount.

Matthew often sees a parallel between an incident in the life of Jesus and an Old Testament passage.

The Book of Exodus, in a section setting forth various laws and regulations, stipulates that if an ox gores a slave, the owner of the ox must pay the slave owner “30 shekels of silver.” The parallel is clear. In the exchange of money between Judas and the chief priests, Matthew portrays Jesus as someone valued no more than a slave.

* * * *

Thirty pieces of silver, at the time of Jesus, are estimated to have only about one-tenth of the value they had when the Book of Exodus was wrriten many centuries earlier.

Ash Wednesday through Saturday has been called “The Porch of Lent” – an entryway to help us get the feel of this “40 days” season. Take another look at your Lenten Plans on February 18th.

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him 30 pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. Mt. 26:14-16

“From that time on” Judas looks for a chance to hand Jesus over. Matthew used that phrase – “from that time on” – twice earlier in his Gospel, each time to mark an important shift.

The first was after Jesus’ temptation in the desert: “From that time on Jesus began to preach . . . “ It marked the beginning of his public life.

The second was when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter professed him to be the Son of god. “From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly.

We now have the phrase used for the third time. It was another turning point, the moment when Judas, who must have been thinking about this for quite some time, decided to do it – to betray Jesus.

Looking back on my own life, what are the turning points that marked a shift for good or for ill – the mileposts that I can look back to and say “From that time on . . . . “?

Now, go to the future. Years from now, looking back to Lent 2007, how would I like to be able to finish that sentence: “From that time on . . . . “?

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

February 25, 2007

The Rite of Election

From the early days of the Church, adults seeking to become Christians began a process that could last several years. They were called “catechumens,” and had a sponsor who gradually introduced them to the Christian practices.

As they moved toward baptism, there were various rituals along the way. For example, catechumens came to Mass on Sundays, but only for the first part. After the homily they were ritually dismissed with blessings, so that they could study together that day’s Scripture readings.

When their formation was completed, the next Lenten season was to be their final preparation for baptism. On the first Sunday of that Lent, they were presented to the bishop who heard members of the Christian community testify on their behalf. They were then formally accepted as candidates to be baptized at Easter. They were no longer catechumens, but the “elect” and came forward one by one to sign the Book of the Elect.

Over the centuries as Christian communities became more established and most of those being received into the Church were infants, this process -- designed for adults – began to wane. However, in the Vatican II restoration of traditions, the RCIA (Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults) was once again set in place.

Today, in cathedrals around the world, bishops are presiding at the “Rite of Election” for those preparing for baptism.

First Sunday of Lent

Temptation in the Desert

Today’s Gospel is about the temptation of Jesus – the temptation to let his humanity draw Jesus away from the Father’s plan.

This temptation would surface again when Jesus struggled in the Garden of Gethsemane with his imminent death on the cross. It just didn’t seem to be the way to do it.

Temptations come to us according to the unique patterns of our own life. We all face basic temptations. But the difficult ones – the recurring ones – are those that have to do with our own life circumstances, our own temperament, the contours of our own personality.

That often comes out when we go to confession. Maybe we feel like : “My confessions are always the same . . . it’s the same list of sins.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are failing to make progress or that we are not examining our conscience properly.

Just as a particular temptation fit the unique circumstances of Jesus’ life, and he had to deal with it throughout his entire public life, so I have some in my life and those struggles will probably be the core of the majority of my confessions. I will probably have to struggle with them until the day I die.

But if I am struggling, and I am also trying to do a good job, then those are the things that should come up in confession, because those are the special needs I have . . . . needs that have to be exposed to the grace and healing of God.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

February 26, 2007

Hot Cross Buns

Baking hot cross buns on Good Friday is an old custom that has now extended to the whole season of Lent.

Hot cross buns often have raisins or dried fruit to give them some taste, but no sweet filling because Lent is a penitential season.

However, white icing is placed on the top and always in the shape of a cross – as a reminder that Easter is coming.

* * * *

At one time it was believed that the buns had special miraculous powers, and people hung them from their kitchen ceiling to protect their homes from evil. It was also believed that hot cross buns baked on Good Friday would never get moldy.

* * * *

Hot cross buns are reported to have first appeared on Good Friday in 1361. Fr. Thomas Rockliffe distributed the small cakes, marked by a cross to the poor of St. Albans Abbey.

Monday – First Week of Lent

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The teacher says, ‘My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples”.” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. (Mt 26:17-19)

In Matthew’s story it is now Thursday, and the Passover will begin at sunset. Jesus says, “My appointed time draws near.” Indeed it does. This young and healthy man from Nazareth is less than 24 hours away from death.

Death is like life. Each death is different, and seldom follows the script we would have written. There are many causes and kinds of death – accidents, crimes, suicides, lingering illnesses. There is the sad death of a little child or a young parent. There is the bittersweet death of a very old or sick person who has been waiting to die.

The death of Jesus was a sudden death. On Thursday he was a healthy young man. On Friday afternoon he was dead – executed as a criminal.

We began Lent with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

How shall I die? How will my family and friends react?

What will it be like to meet the Lord?

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

February 27, 2007

Judas

When it comes to name recognition, Judas Iscariot ranks extremely high. He will forever be known as the disciple who betrayed Jesus. His name is mentioned 22 times in the New Testament. (Second only to Peter.)

* * * *

The name “Judas” was common at that time, but the meaning of “Iscariot” is uncertain. It is an obscure word and could have been his family name or his town of origin. It could also have designated his trade, physical appearance or even political allegiance.

* * * *

Few biographical details are known about Judas (which is true of most of the 12 apostles). Apart from Jesus, he has been the subject of perhaps more speculation that any of the personalities in the Passion narrative. (Why did he betray Jesus? Did he participate in the Eucharist? Did the words “deeply regretted what he had done” signify true repentance?)

* * * *

Later, non-scholarly speculation has made him out to be the older brother of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, or the beloved disciple’s in John’s Gospel, or a Jewish priest. Such theories have no basis in evidence.

Tuesday – First Week of Lent

When it was evening, Jesus reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” (Mt 26:17-19)

Originally the Jewish people stood while they ate the Passover meal. But gradually they adopted the Greek custom of reclining at table on individual, low couches. Thus, “Jesus reclined at table with the Twelve.”

The Passover meal was never eaten alone. It was a family-style gathering, something like our Thanksgiving dinner. A lamb was slain at the Temple and then eaten in a home setting. The meal was to include at least 10 people. Matthew’s account has 13 people there – Jesus and the Twelve.

You can imagine the reaction of this small close-knit group when Jesus says that one of them is going to betray him. Matthew says they were “deeply distressed.” Actually, the Greek word conveys more a sense of sorrow, sadness. In this friendly setting they were quite sincere when one by one they asked the question, “Surely it is not I, Lord?”

I wonder if I should ask the Lord to tell me if I am fooling myself?

Turn to the Lord and ask, “Lord, how am I doing?”

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

February 28, 2007

”Rabbi”

’Surely it is not I, Rabbi?’

The passage in the next post is another example of how Matthew pays close attention to words. He notices subtle parallels, and these become part of the artistry of his portrait.

The disciples, one by one, ask Jesus, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” But when Judas asks, he says, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”

Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus had told his disciples not to use the title “rabbi” (which means “my master”). The other disciples had just addressed Jesus with the title, used by those who believe in him: “Lord.”

Judas uses “rabbi.” Matthew subtly shows how Judas had already begun to move farther and farther from Jesus.

Ash Wednesday was a week ago. It’s time to go back and review the Lenten plans on February 18.

Wednesday – First Week of Lent

Jesus said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.” (Mt 26:23-25)

One gets the impression that Judas stayed quiet when the other disciples asked one after the other. “Surely it is not I, Lord?” It was only after Jesus responded to them that Judas asks if he is the one.

Jesus phrases his response in a way that is ambiguous. Though betrayed by Judas, Jesus doesn’t betray Judas in front of the others. This is just between the two of them. Jesus knows what Judas is up to. Still, he loves him.

Some people think worse of me than I am, others better. But Jesus knows what I’m up to – good and bad. And he loves me.

If maligned for doing right, I can take courage. The Lord knows the truth.

If I get credit for things I don’t deserve, I must take heed. The Lord knows the truth.

Either way, I’m safest with the Lord. He knows me better than anyone, and I know he knows. No need to fake it. And he loves me more than anyone.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

March 1, 2007

The Bread and the Cup

In the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper, Jesus calls (not simply invites) those at the table to take and eat the bread, and take and drink the cup. These same words are part of all the Eucharistic prayers at every Mass.

The laity took Communion under both forms in the Western Church for about the first 12 centuries. The Eastern Catholic Church continued this tradition without interruption, but in the Western Church, the cup was gradually withdrawn from the laity so that by the 16th century only the priest received the consecrated wine.

Various concerns contributed to this change of practice. For one thing, there was fear of spilling the precious blood once wine. More importantly, some heretical teachings claimed that the whole Christ was not fully present in the bread and the wine separately, but only if taken together. To counteract this heresy, the laity was given only the consecrated bread, and Eucharistic piety came to center on the host which alone was kept in the tabernacle after Mass.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) restored the earlier tradition of Communion under both forms, and the Church now recognizes it as the ideal: “Holy Communion has a more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds.”

Thursday – First Week of Lent

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.” (Mt 26:26-29)

Jesus came to take away our sins. Matthew emphasizes this in the words of Jesus over the cup. While Mark and Luke have Jesus speak of his blood: shed on behalf of many,” Matthew adds: “for the forgiveness of sins."

At the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel the angel says to Joseph: “You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now, toward the end of the Gospel, Jesus holds the cup and talks about the forgiveness of sins.

We are all sinners. There are times when we’ve sinned and we need the sacrament of penance. Most of the time, even though we haven’t broken our relationship with the Lord, we’ve still failed here and there. We’ve sinned.

But the forgiveness of sins is one of the main purposes of Mass, as well. That is a comforting thought, and it needs more emphasis.

If I get credit for things I don’t deserve, I must take heed. The Lord knows the truth.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

March 2, 2007

The Olive Tree

The “Mount of Olives” was so named because of the many olive trees, though they are not as plentiful today. Toward the bottom of the slope is a place with some very old olive trees, and from the fourth century this has been honored as the site of Gethsemane. Though none of these trees goes back to the time of Jesus, new olive trees sometimes grow from the roots of those whose trunk has fallen. Thus, the trees there could be “connected” with the trees that were there during the Agony in the Garden.

* * * *

Palestine’s most common tree is the olive tree. The life expectancy of an olive tree is 500 years. Its beauty has long been extolled, and it was thought to have a mystical quality. The olive branch symbolized forgiveness, peace, happiness, and its branches were woven into crowns. In the story of Noah, the olive tree even survives the flood – the dove from the ark returns with one of its branches.

* * * *

One olive tree could yield up to 1,000 pounds of oil a year. The oil was used for cooking, fuel for lamps, a base for perfumes, medicinal applications, and ointment after a bath, or religions anointing.

Friday – First Week of Lent

Then after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: ”I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed.” But after I have raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” (Mt 26:30-32)

Jesus undoubtedly sang many times, but this is the only time it is mentioned in the Gospels – on the night before his death.

The conversation on the way to the Mount of Olives gets heavy. Jesus tells them that before this night ends, all of them will have their faith in him shaken.

At times our faith is shaken too. It comes down to the fundamental problem that God doesn’t live up to our expectations. The true God should:
• Prevent natural disasters (e.g. tornadoes, earthquakes),
• quickly straighten out injustices,
• eliminate sickness and suffering,
• Protect everyone from accidents, especially children.

If God is all-powerful, and God is good, then evil should not be. But evil does exist – everywhere.

We’ll never figure it out this side of the grave. All we can do is look at the cross – as evil and ugly a thing as we could think of – and say, “God help me to trust as Jesus did, that you can bring goodness out of evil.”

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

March 3, 2007

”I did not want my child to flounder
as I had often floundered.
I wanted to believe, and I wanted
my child to believe, and if belonging
to a Church would give her so
inestimable a grace as faith in God,
and the companionable love
of the Saints, then the thing to do
was to have her baptized a Catholic.”

~Peace activist Dorothy Day whose daughter Tamar was born on this

Saturday – First Week of Lent

Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise. (Mt 26:33-35)

Peter cannot even allow for the possibility that he would let the Lord down. “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Then all the other disciples chime in with the same assurance.

The Book of Proverbs warns, “Pride goes before disaster.” There is about to be a disaster here. These disciples are only a few hours away from doing exactly what they said they wouldn’t do.

We’ve all done things “we’d never do.”

The best approach to sin is to look it straight in the eye. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is especially hard on hypocrites who pretend they have no sins. He calls them “whitewashed tombs which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones.”

It’s not just a question of my individual sins. It’s my sinfulness itself, the flaw in my system that only God’s grace can mend. Paul is dead honest about this: “For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want . . . It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.”

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner.” Try saying that slowly 10 times. I can have a very good effect.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

March 4, 2007

Feast of Purim

Today is the Jewish feast of Purim, celebrating an incident that took place some 2,500 years ago. It is recounted in the Book of Esther.

It is a story of intrigue at the royal palace in Persia. The pagan king, angry at his queen, deposed her and put Esther, a Jewish woman in her place. Meanwhile, a powerful member of the royal court had concocted a plot to have the king in a single day kill all the Jews living in Persia. The date for this massacre was chosen by casting lots – which is why Purim is sometimes called the “Feast of Lots.”

Esther decided to go to the king and plead for her people. In doing so she risked her life, for to enter the king’s presence univited was punishable by death. She went ahead anyway and succeeded in saving her people.

Before entering the king’s presences she said a prayer:

My Lord, you alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but you, for I am taking my life in my hand. Be mindful of me, Or Lord. Give me courage. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and help me, who am alone and have no one but you, O Lord.

Sunday – Second Week of Lent

The Transfiguration

Today’s Gospel is one of Jesus’ many mountain experiences:

Before choosing the 12 apostles, Jesus went up the mountain and spent all night in prayer.
After the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus went up the mountain and spent the night in prayer.
Jesus spoke of his charter for the kingdom in the Sermon on the Mount.
At the Mount of Olives, Jesus prayed his heart out to the Father, hours before his death.

We need mountaintop experiences in our lives, but society has a tendency to level off the mountains and flatten them out. We build expressways that take the curves out of the road and the roads become straight and flat.

But somewhere we need mountaintop experiences that are singular, that take some preparation, time and effort. We need to be in a place where things look different – and things always look different from the top of a mountain. We need to be in a place where we experience the closeness of God.

From the Church’s perspective, Easter is the great mountain of the whole year, and we work hard to make sure that those days of Holy Thurs, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are unlike any other days. For instance, the Easter Vigil is a time when we stay up half the night (as we do on some special occasions) to experience the darkness and the new fire. It’s a mountaintop experience, and we have to resist the temptation to flatten it out for convenience.

It’s hard to climb a mountain. It takes a lot of effort. But we need mountaintop experiences to know God and ourselves in a new light.

Spend some quiet time with the Lord.

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