Holy Tuesday focuses on "love for others"

Manila Bulletin ^ | March 29, 2010 | Christina I. Hermoso

[delacoert]

Scripture readings, prayers, and reflections this Holy Tuesday (Martes Santo), will focus on Christ’s commandment for mankind “to love one another,” as well as on charity and spiritual vigilance.

Also known as Great Tuesday, today’s liturgical narratives: The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-3) and the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-20) remind the faithful of the need to repent, forgive others, and be ready and prepared for His second coming, as well as of the need to grow in charity, love, and concern for others.

Gospel readings will focus on John 13:21-33,36-38 wherein Jesus foretold the treachery of Judas Iscariot, His new commandment to love one another, and of St. Peter’s denial of Jesus.

In the provinces, the “pabasa,” the marathon chanting of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, which started Monday, Holy Monday, continues while on the streets, self-flagellants and penitents carrying wooden crosses, some even wearing a crown of thorns on their heads, walk under the scorching summer heat.

The Church encourages the faithful to follow in their prayers with readings from the Holy Bible.

[delacoert]

Matthew 25:1-3 

The Parable of the 10 Virgins

¹ "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.  ² Five of them were foolish and five were sensible.  ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they didn't take oil with them.

 

Matthew 25:14-20 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The Parable of the Talents

     ¹⁴ "For it is just like a man going on a journey.  He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents;  to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey.  Immediately ¹⁶ the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. ¹⁷ In the same way the man with two earned two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.

    ¹⁹ "After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I've earned five more talents.'

 

John 13:21-33

Judas' Betrayal Predicted
     ²¹ When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in His spirit and testified, " I assure you: One of you will betray Me!"

    ²² The disciples started looking at one another—uncertain which one He was speaking about. ²³ One of His disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining close beside Jesus. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to him to find out who it was He was talking about. ²⁵ So he leaned back against Jesus and asked Him, "Lord, who is it?"

    ²⁶ Jesus replied, "He's the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it." When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot's son. ²⁷ After [Judas ate] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Therefore Jesus told him, "What you're doing, do quickly."

    ²⁸ None of those reclining at the table knew why He told him this. ²⁹ Since Judas kept the money-bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival," or that he should give something to the poor. ³⁰ After receiving the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.

   

The New Commandment

    ³¹ When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.   ³² If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself and will glorify Him at once.

    ³³ "Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, 'Where I am going you cannot come, ' so now I tell you.