Today's Scripture Passage: Matthew 26:1-5; 14-16
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” 14 Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15 and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Today's Scripture Message:
How do we handle betrayal? Though in latter days, retaliation is celebrated, regardless of the cost, how do we continue on? What if our personal Judas is our spouse, our sibling, our parent, our child, our very best friend, someone who you trusted? Do you retaliate or do you recall all of the greatness of your relationship minus the day of poor decision? Do we live in the day of poor decision or the memory of the sum of all days? I think often of the sacrifice of Jesus, having the power to save himself, but understanding the purpose of his life was of that which extended past himself out to all others so he chose to live purposefully within the will of God. In all that you do, proceed in honor of the sacrifice made for you. In doing so you live unconditionally within His will.
Prayer for the day:
Father, thank you for the sacrifice shared with all of us, covering each of us allowing each day to be an opportunity to improve, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Thought for the day:
“I sometimes react to making a mistake as if I have betrayed myself. My fear of making a mistake seems to be based on the hidden assumption that I am potentially perfect and that if I can just be very careful I will not fall from heaven. But a “mistake” is a declaration of the way I am, a jolt to the way I intend, a reminder I am not dealing with the facts. When I have listened to my mistakes I have grown.”
~ Hugh Prather
Goal for the Day
Forgive, remove, move on.
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Daily Lenten Reflection from
St. Michael of Old Town
Monday of Holy Week
April 18, 2011
“Six days before the Passover Festival Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived whom he had raised from the dead.” John 12:1
The journey begins: that solemn journey of birth, death and new life. It is Holy Week.
Our readings today foreshadow the events later in this Holy week-- the importance of servanthood; the washing and anointing of feet; Jesus’ death and burial and resurrection. He had shown his power when he raised Lazarus from the dead, but these final days before Jerusalem he showed his humanity. The Paschal Mystery, the dying and rising to new life—isn't this something that each and everyone one of us goes through in our day to day lives? We find this journey in our jobs and in our families—in relationships with loved ones and friends. It is part of life...it is part of living…it is part of who we are. And it is part of dying and new life.
In the recent past, I was present at the funeral and burial of a dear friend of my mom—a relationship that has spanned over 70 years! The journey of those 70 years saw much happen. There were happy times and sad times. There were bitter times and angry times. There were times when the relationship was strained and in those years there were also times of renewed love and friendship and consolation. Over the few days when we were all together, we went from being with a vibrant living woman, to worry over an accident, through the shock of a sudden heart attack and the mourning and loss of a dear wife, mother, sister, friend to the faith of resurrection, when on the last day… Too quickly to grasp all at once! So many emotions and feelings and memories!
So, how do we prepare for this week, the holiest week in our Church Calendar? How do we prepare for the joy of the feast on Thursday evening? How do we handle the worry and fear after that meal thinking about what is to come? Are we prepared for His death on Friday? Is our faith rooted in the belief of His resurrection? Each of us alone knows what is deep in our hearts.
Scott Arkenberg
Redeemer God, in the silence of our hearts you invite us to meditate upon your journey of your final days on earth as we hear again the stories of that sacred time. Help us to know and believe with all our hearts your unconditional love for us. Help us always remember that although death is a part of our everyday life, eternal life and glory with you is our ultimate goal. We will rise again. We Remember. We Celebrate. We Believe.
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Happy 108th Day of the New Year
Daily Affirmation: “Something GREAT Is Going to Happen To and Through Me Today!!!
LIVE ON PURPOSE!!! LET’S GO!!!
Many Blessings!!!
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