Tuesday of Holy Week

Today's Mass Readings

Today is the Tuesday of Holy Week. In our first reading we find a very compact and yet rich description of what we will be celebrating liturgically this upcoming Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Understanding Jesus as the servant Israel in this passage, we see how Jesus will become a light to the nations, raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel. The survivors of Israel, as today's first reading talks about (Is 49:6) refer to the 10 lost tribes of Israel scattered in the north. They were spread out among the Gentiles, whereas the southern tribes of Jacob, namely Judah, Benjamin, and Levi (not counted in the 12 tribes), were restored by the Persians to the Promised Land after captivity in Babylon. The promise of restoration is made to all the tribes of Israel, and indeed, by them becoming the light, the promise of restoration is made to all peoples.

Today's gospel reading is a peek into this restoring ministry of Jesus. The account of the converstaion at the last supper tells is about Jesus' betrayal at the hands of Judas. And yet, Judas is only a representative figure. The Jews and gentiles (Pontus Pilate and the Romans) will come together to crucify Jesus. What a strange way to bring peoples together! By reuniting Jews and Gentiles, therefore, Jesus reunites Jacob/Israel and the Gentiles in the Church. We all participate in this mystery at Easter. Although, to experience the light of the world which Easter brings, we have to first pass through the horror of Good Friday.

This implies a responsibility for us as well. All of us who receive Jesus in the Eucharist, who have died and risen with Him in Baptism, must bringHim to others. We are the light of the world, because we have living within us the light Who is Jesus. Let us share Jesus with others, loving them as Jesus loves them and as Jesus loves us. Let's really allow ourselves to enter deeply into Holy Week so that we can be transformed, and then go out and transform the world around us with the light of Christ.

- Jeff Morrow & Fr. Satish Joseph