Gospel: April 15, 2025
April 15, 2025 (Tuesday)
Tuesday of Holy Week
Psalter: Week 2 / (Violet)
Ps 71:1-2, 3-4a, 5ab-6ab, 15 & 17
I will sing of your salvation.
1st Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Listen to me, O islands, pay attention, people from distant lands. The Lord called me from my mother’s womb; he pronounced my name before I was born. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword. He hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a polished arrow set apart in his quiver. He said to me, “You are Israel, my servant, through you I will be known.” “I have labored in vain,” I thought, “and spent my strength for nothing.” Yet what is due me was in the hand of the Lord, and my reward was with my God. I am important in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength. And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him. He said: “It is not enough that you be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob, to bring back the remnant of Israel. I will make you the light of the nations, that my salvation will reach to the ends of the earth.”
Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38
After saying this, Jesus was distressed in spirit, and said plainly, “Truly, one of you will betray me.” The disciples then looked at one another, wondering whom he meant. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved, was reclining near Jesus; so Simon Peter signaled him to ask Jesus whom he meant. And the disciple, who was reclining near Jesus, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “I shall dip a piece of bread in the dish, and he to whom I give it, is the one.” So Jesus dipped the bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. As Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus then said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
None of the others, reclining at the table, understood why Jesus had said this to Judas. As Judas had the common purse, they may have thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or, “Give something to the poor.” Judas left as soon as he had eaten the bread. It was night. When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. God will glorify him, and he will glorify him very soon. My children, I am with you for only a little while; you will look for me, but as I already told the Jews, now I tell you: where I am going you cannot come. Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but afterwards you will.” Peter said, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I am ready to give my life for you.” “To give your life for me?” Jesus asked Peter. “Truly I tell you, the cock will not crow, before you have denied me three times.”
Reflection:
“To give your life to me”
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” Jesus proclaims that he is coming into his glory precisely as Judas leaves to betray him. It seems to be the beginning of the end, but Jesus knows differently. He knows that this is the means of salvation of not only one nation, but the whole world, as God has called him from his mother’s womb to be his servant and light of the nations. A light that will shatter the darkness of sin and death. And yet, all seems to be shrouded in the gloom of confusion and betrayal. The disciples do not understand what is happening, and Judas separates himself from his Master. How could the disciples not recognize Judas as the betrayer? Perhaps it is because he gave bread to all of them during the meal. One would betray him, one would hand him over to be tried and condemned to death, but nearly all his disciples would be unfaithful to him and run away. When we receive the Eucharist, we ask to be strengthened in our fidelity to Christ, acknowledging him as Lord and glorious Savior.
