Storm 3 - HolyWeek

Maundy Thursday, the beginning of a storm in Jesus’ life. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus watches and prays. This is a painful day for Jesus as He’s betrayed by Judas and Peter will deny Him three times.

Jesus would have been familiar with the Roman manner of execution: death by crucifixion. 
In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tells His disciples His reason for going to pray “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;” Matthew 26:37.

His Father was about to forsake Him and creation was about to rebel against Him and kill Him. 

Jesus prays, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39 

He was going to experience unimaginable pain and with that the feeling of being abandoned. Jesus experienced deeply the bitter abandonment-that He sweated blood. 

Jesus went away and prayed for the second time, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done.” Matthew 26:42 

Jesus, God Himself, went to His crucifixion with obedience and trust in the love of His Father. 

Jesus did not let His fears turn Him away from His passion and death. 

No, Jesus prays “Not my will, but Yours be done!”

The Gospels state that Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to accompany Him into the garden and to keep watch and pray with Him. But each time He rose from His prayer and went to them, He found them sleeping. 
His disappointment was evident in His words: “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40–41.

Matthew 26   

⁴⁰ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?

⁴¹ Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed…….

⁴³ And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

⁴⁴ So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.

⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 

Jesus Asleep –

In the boat during the storm, (Mark 4:35-41), Christ slept.

In the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40-45), the disciples slept.

When the disciples slept, Christ was left totally alone at a time when He most needed their company. 
In the boat, Christ had not left His disciples alone. He was fully with them.

Ask for God’s Help. Our life on earth is a tremendous amount of grace from God. Never will we be tested beyond the strength of His grace that is available to us.

Grace is God’s unmerited favour. I pray to God to help me utilize all the grace that is for my taking, that I may absorb all of it. 

The purpose of the storm: the disciples should have learned that Jesus is God.

I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

God is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent...! 

On Good Friday the Son of God is accused, condemned and scourged to death. He is abandoned by His disciples. Jesus is mocked by the crowds and ridiculed. He was slapped by some and spat upon. The scourging at the pillar, with whips tore Jesus’ flesh. And yet through all the bitter words of people, Jesus carried His cross through the streets. Jesus was crucified in an incredibly brutal manner. Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” Matthew 27:46.

He who never sinned took on our sin, choosing to receive the punishment that we deserve. Out of love for us, Jesus chose to silently suffer and die. He forgives His torturers from the cross with the words-“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

With His precious blood, the spotless Lamb of God, paid the ransom to deliver us from sin and death.

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Early in the morning a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, went to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty! An angel proclaimed, “Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” Mark 16:6-7

Hold the hand of Jesus. Put all your confidence in Him. He will comfort you and strengthen you. Jesus promises “my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

Jesus came and stood among His Apostles and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19 
Jesus knew His disciples were in pain. And the only thing that eases an aching heart is the presence of God in our lives. 
Pope Francis walked the streets of Italy. Did it not remind you of the time Jesus walked on water to reach His apostles? 
Pope Francis took a brief walk in the city of Rome and prayed for an end to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Maybe, Pope Francis wanted to make the visit to encourage Italians during the quarantine conditions across Italy.
If you watched a part of the news you would have noticed a very few people standing at the doorway of their homes waiting for the Pope to make his way. There was a feeling of helplessness that showed on those faces. That is something that I will never forget. It is an ache in my heart that will forever live.
I say this with the utmost fondness to my Pope Francis, this reminded me of what Jesus did. Jesus walked on water, to reach to His Apostles who were caught in the storm. Jesus encouraged their faith, so much so that Peter wanted to walk on water to reach the Lord!
The Pope blessed an empty St Peter’s Square and the city of Rome from his window as Italy remained in lockdown over Covid-19.

Just the other day (some time back), while at the celebration of the mass, I offered a particular situation that troubled me for some time now. The situation did not change but something in me did. I felt at Peace.
And it is then that I realized no matter what happens in a day, when something causes you untold pain, offer it to Jesus. Peace follows!
And hence I mention-

The Eucharistic Liturgy is made up of the presentation of the gifts, the Eucharistic prayer and the Communion. 

Here we will touch on a bit of ‘The presentation of the gifts’ - (the offertory) 

Usually at this point, there is a hymn sung, so one does miss on the most interesting part, where we get to offer our pain and suffering to become one with the Lord. When the hymn is sung, one will miss out on understanding what is so essential to know.  

PRIEST: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life. 
PEOPLE: Blessed be God for ever. 

(I pray to God, offering my life, my weaknesses.)(Offer your pain – your hurtful moments, your trials-your toughest moments, your confusions.)

PRIEST: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink. 

PEOPLE: Blessed be God for ever. 

(I also offer to God, all of the People of God-His Church including my family and all the people of the world, offering to God, all our fears, our worries our anxieties and our lives.)
(Offer every life, all the people of the world, everyone’s pain and their broken dreams.)(The tragedies around the world-offer all the pain to Jesus)
(I pray, because many want to pray, but they are not aware, that they can at this part of the celebration of the mass.)

(offer to God, all the people who have watched their loved ones die due to Covid-19. Offer their pain, offer the fears of the world, the fears of the people who have been infected with the virus. Offer the families that stand helpless unable to do anything.)(offer all the people who have sacrificed their life, as a form of service)

I learnt this from Fr. Ashlyn. He always said that the best gift we can offer God is ourselves. We must offer our hearts when the priest offers the oblation of this Sacrifice. I also very much love the way Fr. Daniel goes about with the offering. I am always able to complete praying for all and I absolutely love that. Be focused when the Priest offers the gifts. If not, then the bread and the wine won't be our gifts.

The Mass is Christ's sacrifice. But it is also the sacrifice of the priest and of the people. It is our sacrifice if we have really put some part of ourselves into this sacrifice.

Priest: Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

Jesus faced His sufferings alone. Jesus, understands our pain. We will never walk alone - Jesus walks with us in our storm! 
John 16:33, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 

Christ came to set us free. 

He conquered death. And we have victory in Him.

We overcome because Christ has overcome.

The Almighty God of miracles fights for us.

REMEMBER: During the lockdown, everybody is locked into their own homes. The daily wage earners, with no jobs available and no transport had to make an exodus to their village home-in hope and for love of being secure with their own people. Their plight has not ended, they are still waiting in hope. 

I, pray daily for the people who have lost their loved ones to Covid-19. Their pain must be intolerable. Imagine not being able to hold the hand of the ones you love, not being able to comfort them and hold them as they take their last breath. I do pray for everyone, the people who are infected and their families, the confusion and the fear of the world. I pray for everybody offering their pain at each celebration of the mass. I pray for everyone to be healed. 

I pray for all the souls in Purgatory and the souls that leave the world today! 

I also pray for all our Priests (all ranks, all orders). I pray for their protection from evil and from the virus. 

With the grace of God, I like to pray for everyone. Not ever leaving anyone out.      

The people who are at their homes and in good health, have been given the opportunity to make best on the time they have been given. To spend time with their family, to contact the people they were never able to because of work pressures. The time to think of how life has been and what can be corrected and meditate on the one thing that is essential to our existence-GOD!

People who are at home, think it so difficult to pass time. They wonder to how long it will be. I have so many things to say, but this one thing I need to say to you. The people who died if given the chance before dying would happily trade places with you. They did not get the chance that we all have. Make the most of this Second Chance that you have been given! 

Love is like a Butterfly! 

Live life like the Butterfly-ever so gentle and remember, the changes that a Butterfly has to go through before it transforms to something beautiful.

Thank You, Abba Father.
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, Holy Spirit.