The Gospel
Matt 26:14‑25
One of you is about to betray me.
St. Gaspar
"Prescinding from the first centuries in the Church, centuries productive of martyrs, in the following epochs which history records for us, we note how one of the other dogma was attacked, how sacred things were subjected to scorn in one or their part of the Catholic world. In our miserable times, the crisis in the people is a general one, with indescribable perversion of basic principles and of proper living so as to hurl an insult at the redemptive act and, through human malice, to frustrate the application of the merits of Jesus Christ who has redeemed us by the price of his Blood. Now, Blessed Father, is it not necessary to rekindle apostolic zeal and follow the inspirations of soul that are so favored by God so that we can revive in the memories of these people the inestimable price of our redemption and attempt to stir them to repentance and to tears? Is it not also a fact that Sacred Scripture itself gives us the steps to take for a reform? Pacificans per Sanguinem Crucis eius sive quae in coelis, sive quae i terris sunt?[1] Do we ourselves not know that Christus dilexit ecclesiam tradidit semetipsum pro ea[2] ...acquisivit sanguine suo?[3] Does not Divine Wisdom tell us that justificati in Sanguine salvi erimus ab ira per ipsum?"[4] [5]
Reflection
The self-centered make the infinite finite. Does human life have a price? Can it be reduced to a few pieces of silver? Judas focuses on himself and his own hope for glory. He says, "How much will you give ME?" St. Gaspar has said that in our own day sacred things would be subjected to scorn. This is as true today as it was in Gaspar's time.
The disciples seem unaware of the impending disaster. They are surprised, yet their focus remains on self. "Not me!" They are unaware because as yet they are not fully involved in Jesus' life and ministry.
This day sets the stage for the celebration of his death and resurrection. It points us to the feast tomorrow and the next day. His betrayal is for us a reminder that we need to seek repentance for those parts in us that still focus on self and ultimately betray what Jesus came for. Gaspar reminds us that the scorn shown for sacred things and for life itself must propel us toward that devotion and spirituality which alone brought us to life. He has made peace through the blood of his cross, he who loved us and gave himself up for us. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood be all glory and honor.
[1] Colossians 1:20 (Vulgate) et per eum reconciliare omnia in ipsum pacificans per sanguinem crucis eius sive quae in terris sive quae in caelis sunt. Colossians 1:20 (RSV) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
[2] Ephesians 5:25 (Vulgate) et Christus dilexit ecclesiam et se ipsum tradidit pro ea. Ephesians 5:25 (RSV) as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
[3] Apoc 1:5 (Vulgate)et ab Iesu Christo qui est testis fidelis primogenitus mortuorum et princeps regum terrae qui dilexit nos et lavit nos a peccatis nostris in sanguine suo. Rev 1:5 (RSV) and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
[4] Romans 5:9 (Vulgate) Christus pro nobis mortuus est multo igitur magis iustificati nunc in sanguine ipsius salvi erimus ab ira per ipsum. Romans 5:9 (RSV) Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
[5] XII, 80 81, July 29, 1825, to Pope Leo XII
Matt 26:14‑25
One of you is about to betray me.
St. Gaspar
"Prescinding from the first centuries in the Church, centuries productive of martyrs, in the following epochs which history records for us, we note how one of the other dogma was attacked, how sacred things were subjected to scorn in one or their part of the Catholic world. In our miserable times, the crisis in the people is a general one, with indescribable perversion of basic principles and of proper living so as to hurl an insult at the redemptive act and, through human malice, to frustrate the application of the merits of Jesus Christ who has redeemed us by the price of his Blood. Now, Blessed Father, is it not necessary to rekindle apostolic zeal and follow the inspirations of soul that are so favored by God so that we can revive in the memories of these people the inestimable price of our redemption and attempt to stir them to repentance and to tears? Is it not also a fact that Sacred Scripture itself gives us the steps to take for a reform? Pacificans per Sanguinem Crucis eius sive quae in coelis, sive quae i terris sunt?[1] Do we ourselves not know that Christus dilexit ecclesiam tradidit semetipsum pro ea[2] ...acquisivit sanguine suo?[3] Does not Divine Wisdom tell us that justificati in Sanguine salvi erimus ab ira per ipsum?"[4] [5]
Reflection
The self-centered make the infinite finite. Does human life have a price? Can it be reduced to a few pieces of silver? Judas focuses on himself and his own hope for glory. He says, "How much will you give ME?" St. Gaspar has said that in our own day sacred things would be subjected to scorn. This is as true today as it was in Gaspar's time.
The disciples seem unaware of the impending disaster. They are surprised, yet their focus remains on self. "Not me!" They are unaware because as yet they are not fully involved in Jesus' life and ministry.
This day sets the stage for the celebration of his death and resurrection. It points us to the feast tomorrow and the next day. His betrayal is for us a reminder that we need to seek repentance for those parts in us that still focus on self and ultimately betray what Jesus came for. Gaspar reminds us that the scorn shown for sacred things and for life itself must propel us toward that devotion and spirituality which alone brought us to life. He has made peace through the blood of his cross, he who loved us and gave himself up for us. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood be all glory and honor.
- How focused on myself have I been this Lent?
- How involved am I in his life and ministry?
- How would I celebrate the value of his life?
[1] Colossians 1:20 (Vulgate) et per eum reconciliare omnia in ipsum pacificans per sanguinem crucis eius sive quae in terris sive quae in caelis sunt. Colossians 1:20 (RSV) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
[2] Ephesians 5:25 (Vulgate) et Christus dilexit ecclesiam et se ipsum tradidit pro ea. Ephesians 5:25 (RSV) as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
[3] Apoc 1:5 (Vulgate)et ab Iesu Christo qui est testis fidelis primogenitus mortuorum et princeps regum terrae qui dilexit nos et lavit nos a peccatis nostris in sanguine suo. Rev 1:5 (RSV) and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
[4] Romans 5:9 (Vulgate) Christus pro nobis mortuus est multo igitur magis iustificati nunc in sanguine ipsius salvi erimus ab ira per ipsum. Romans 5:9 (RSV) Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
[5] XII, 80 81, July 29, 1825, to Pope Leo XII
RSS Feed