SERVANT'S DIVINE MISSION
May we submit
to Jesus Christ by walking in the light of His truth and love by following Him
in His way of the cross.
Today's
oracle celebrates the Servant's divine mission of salvation, with emphasis on
its universality: "I will make you a light to the nations that my
salvation may reach to the ends of the earth" (Is 49:6).
The
responsorial psalm contains prayers for divine help that close with an
affirmation of the longstanding relationship between the Lord and His Servant:
"God, You have taught me from my youth; to this day I proclaim Your
wondrous deeds" (Ps 71:17).
In
today's Gospel we hear about Judas' departure to bring the guards. Jesus realizes He is at the exact point of
turning Himself entirely over to the will of His Father, and He says, "Now
is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified
in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and He will glorify Him at
once" (Jn 13: 31-32). Not only had Jesus turned Himself over to His
passion and death for the redemption of the world, but the Father had accepted
His sacrifice and in an unknowable way glorified the humanity of His Son. Wow!
He has done all this because of His love for the world and His people.
May
the Holy Spirit give us the grace and strength to do as Jesus did when it is
our time to be tested. May we submit to Jesus Christ by walking in the light of
His truth and love by following Him in His way of the cross.
Let
us pray: Restore all of us more deeply to Yourself in these holy days to come,
Jesus, as we remember Your work for the world's salvation. Redeem us in our
time, Lord, while there is yet time for us to renew our walk with You and
always that we follow Your way. Amen.
Prepare
to enter the holy days ahead!