Tuesday of Holy Week

Matthew 26:1-16
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.'

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Imagine doing an act of kindness which would be remembered for generations to come.

As our Lord proclaimed, this story of sacrificial love is a favorite of God's people. Many sermons are preached about this Mary who used nearly a year's worth of wages on perfumed oil for the body of Jesus. While others were worried about money, she was concerned only for her Master and His comfort. In spite of troubling comments from the disciples, she continued to perform this beautiful act of love.

In the background is Judas Iscariot, who is also remembered. His betrayal of Jesus is human nature at its worst. Have you ever met anyone or read about any other person named Judas? I have not.

Our world today is full of betrayals, but we are filled with the hope that is in the love and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. He will never betray and will always love. We are secure in His love.

PB

Thursday

Luke 15: 11 – 32

Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Who is closest to God's heart? The Prodigal Son? The Faithful Son?

Are we afflicted with the self-righteousness of the older son because we have so long been Christians? Read our Bibles and pray every day? So resentful that we cannot rejoice at the "coming home" of a wayward brother? A brother who has enjoyed the pleasures of the world, indulged in all the forbidden fun? In a last moment of despair at his world's going awry, he returned to the fold. He returned to the Father who never stopped loving him even as he was wandering far away in sinful places.

God is love. Despite our wanderings, our rejections, our flirtings with the forbidden, God loves us still. He loves us as deeply and as longingly as ever. He is always watching the road, anticipating our return. And he loves us despite our self-righteousness and resentments. He comes to us to invite us to come into the fullness of his love and celebration. He loves us.

We are all closest to the heart of God.

Saturday

Matthew 5: 43 – 48

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs is a pretty decent basketball player, the current leader in 3 point shooting (a percentage of .497, making half of his outside the perimeter shots). That’s the best NBA has to offer?

In professional football, Dave Dickenson of the Calgary Stampeders had a 74 percent passing completion record (hitting his man three our of four times).

A baseball player is a sensation if he hits four out of ten times at the plate.
We have high expectations of professional athletes who are paid big money to play their respective games. If they are successful more than half of the time, they’re usually considered to be excellent.

What does Jesus say God expects of us? Nothing less than perfection. A win every time. To always be kind to every family member, fellow worker and stranger on the street.

So how are you doing? If there was a team of Moral Athletes, would you be drafted? I know I wouldn’t. But that is what this season of Lent is about. A time to remember that we don’t measure up to the standards of moral excellence. That’s why we look forward to Good Friday and Easter.

anonymous