Sat 31st Mar Jn 11, 45-56 Many of the people who had come to visit Mary saw what

Jesus did, and they believe in him. But some of them returned to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the Pharisees and the Chief priests met with the Council and said, What shall we do? Look at the miracles this man is performing! If we let him go on in this way, everyone will believe in him and the Roman authorities will take action and destroy our temple and our nation! One of them, named Caiaphas, who was High Priest that year, said, What fools you are! Dont you realise that it is better for you to have one man die for the people, instead of having the whole nation destroyed? Actually, he did not say this of his own accord; rather as he was High Priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish people, and not only for them, but also to bring together into one body all the scattered people of God.... The plot against Jesus thickens. Although the people knew Mary and Jesus family and witnessed many of His miracles and yet many still refused to believe. Not only did they not believe, they reported him to the Pharisees and plotted his murder. They were so hardened that they preferred to reject the Son of God rather than admit that they were wrong and risk the Romans displeasure. They were too proud to admit they were wrong. Do we also find our lives contradictory? Many times we say we believe in Jesus, yet we do not demonstrate the belief in our relationship with others...do we love like Jesus, do we forgive like Jesus? Or are we like the people plotting Jesus death where we witnessed his miracles of healing and yet we do not believe! Are we also plotting Jesus death in our ways of life? Are we killing Jesus with our worldly choices? Are we afraid to cause displeasure amongst our social circle by choosing Jesus? Jesus, help me to discern the truth, help me not be afraid to speak up for truth and put life first. Sun 1st Apr, Palm Sunday Mk 15, 1-39 Early in the morning the chief priests met hurriedly with the elders, the teachers of the Law, and the whole council and made their plans. They put Jesus in chains, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus answered, So you say. The chief priests were accusing Jesus of many things, so Pilate questioned him again, Arent you going to answer? Listen to all their accusations! Again Jesus refused to say a word and Pilate was amazed....In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the Law made fun of Jesus saying to one another, He saved others, but he cannot save himself! Let us see the Messiah, the king of Israel, come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him!...The army officer who was standing there in front of the cross saw how Jesus had died. This man was really the Son of God! he said.

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy week where the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Jesus in the last days of his earthly life, from his majestic entry into Jerusalem until his death and glorious resurrection. In the Passion reading, we see how Jesus did not refuse His fate as willed by the Father, He was the ultimate example of self-assurance knowing the time has come to save the world. Just like the people present 2000 years ago who welcomed him triumphantly into Jerusalem, they were the same crowd who shouted for Him to be crucified, our lives are also constantly challenged with tensions of giving life or crucifying life. Jesus could have saved Himself but He endured His suffering because He loved us! In His procession into Jerusalem, He showed how He first loved us so that we can also make our procession towards Him. His death opened the way to the Love of the Father. He loved even his enemies who nailed him to the cross! How is our response today? Are we like the army officer witnessing the death of Jesus who was able to proclaim This man was really the Son of God! Are we able to recognise how our acts of sin crucifies Jesus to the cross constantly and how His death is the ultimate demonstration of the truth of Love. Jesus, help me to recognise how my daily acts crucifies you to the cross and let your sufferings be the source of my strength to struggle against the trials of life. Mon 2nd Apr Jn 12, 1-11 Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man he had raised from death. They prepared a dinner for him there, which Martha helped serve; Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at the table with Jesus. Then Mary took a whole pint of a very expensive perfume made of pure nard, poured it on Jesus feet and wiped them with her hair...One of Jesus disciples, Judas Iscariot the one who was going to betray Jesus said, Why wasnt this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor? He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it. But Jesus said Leave her alone! Let her keep what she has for the day of my burial. You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me. Jesus treasures our friendships. He makes a point to visit His friends to spend some time with them before His impending death. His friends also spared some effort to welcome Him in their home in different ways they cooked, Martha served, Lazarus sat at the table listening to him, Mary anointed his feet with oil. All of us are

gifted with different gifts and we are called to have our relationships with Jesus in our different vocations in life as a priest, religious, in a marriage, parenthood or singlehood. Do we reciprocate Jesus friendship? He is always waiting to spend some time with us. How do we welcome Jesus in our life? Especially in this Holy week, are we making special effort to cleanse our home, to be prepared to sit down by His side to listen to him and have an attitude of humility to give the best of our effort to journey with him. Or are we like Judas who refuses to acknowledge Jesus friendship and failing to recognise the true identity of Jesus. Judas pride let to his downfall. Jesus, I thank you for your unconditional friendship. Help me to take the opportunity daily to reciprocate your friendship and make an effort to sit by your side to listen to what you have to share with me. Tue 3rd Apr Jn 13, 21-33. 36-38 After Jesus had said this, he was deeply troubled and declared openly, I am telling you the truth: one of you is going to betray me....So that disciple moved closer to Jesus side and asked, Who is it, Lord? Jesus answered, I will dip some bread in the sauce and give it to him; he is the man. So he took a piece of bread, dipped it and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, Hurry and do what you must!...After Judas had left, Jesus said, Now the Son of Mans glory is revealed; now Gods glory is revealed through him. And if Gods glory is revealed through him, then God will reveal the glory of the Son of Man in himself, and he will do so at once. My children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me; but I tell you now what i told the Jewish authorities, you cannot go where I am going. Where are you going, Lord? Simon Peter asked him. You cannot follow me now where i am going, answered Jesus, but later you will follow me. Lord, why cant i follow you now? asked Peter. I am ready to die for you! Jesus answered, Are you really ready to die for me? I am telling you the truth: before the rooster crows you will say three times that you do not know me. Jesus was saddened to know that both his trusted friends, Judas and Peter would betray him. Jesus knew exactly what was to happen, how Judas would betray him and how Peter would deny him three times. But he did not change the situation and he continued to love them. Likewise for us, Jesus knows our weaknesses and limitations, yet he continues to shepherd us, his sheep and forgives us each time we come back to him. Judas was not able to understand this and his life ended tragically. Peter on the other hand, understood the love of Jesus and he never let go of the faith in the person who loved him. Many times too, we could be like Peter who is over-zealous about his love for Jesus and declared

that he was ready to die for Jesus we could also make promises about dying to our habits, our worldly values or attitudes but yet we find ourselves faltering in our promises. Can we be like Peter to continue to trust in the love of God? Jesus, thank you for understanding our human nature and limitations. Help me to follow the example of Peter to keep faith and to be prepared to die for the truth. Wed 4th Apr Mt 26, 14-25 Then one of the twelve disciples the one named Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and asked, What will you give me if i betray Jesus to you? They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him. From then on Judas was looking for a god chance to hand Jesus over to them. ...When evening came, Jesus and the twelve disciples sat down to eat. During the meal, Jesus said, I tell you, one of you will betray me. The disciples were very upset and began to ask him, one after the other, Surely, Lord, you dont mean me? Jesus answered, One who dips his bread in the dish with me will betray me! The Son of Man will die as the Scriptures say he will, but how terrible for that man who will betray the Son of Man! It would be better for that man if he had never been born! Judas, the traitor, spoke up. Surely, Teacher, you dont mean me? he asked. Jesus answered, So you say. Todays reading again focuses on Judas and his act of betrayal. Why would Judas want to betray Jesus? Judas expected Jesus to start a political career and assumed that he would be given an important position as part of Jesus new government. But Judas realised that Jesus kingdom was not physical or political but spiritual. Judas greedy desire for money could not be satisfied if he followed Jesus, so he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver coins. As we contemplate on Judas betrayal, are we asking like the other disciples Surely, Lord, you dont mean me? Can we strip away our pride and self-defences and ask ourselves honestly, if we had also betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins? Have we compromised the truth? Have we not acted in love? Are we sure they arent thirty pieces of silver that could tempt us to betray Jesus? What is hindering us from coming closer to Jesus, from loving the way He does? Help me Jesus not to betray your love for thirty pieces of silver coins. Help me to grow in intimacy with you through prayer so that nothing can hinder our relationship. Thu 5th Apr Holy Thursday Jn 13, 1-15 It was now the day before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave the world and go to the Father. He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end. Jesus and his

disciples were at supper. The devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, the thought of betraying Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him complete power; he knew he had come from God and was going to God. So he rose from the table, took off his outer garment and tied a towel around his waist. Then he poured some water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Are you going to wash my feet, Lord? Jesus answered him, You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later. Peter declared, Never at any time will you wash my feet! If I do not wash your feet, Jesus answered, you will no longer be my disciple. Simon Peter answered, Lord, do not wash only my feet, then! Wash my hands ad head, too! Then Jesus said, Those who have taken a bath are completely clean and do not have to wash themselves except for their feet. All of you are clean all except one (Jesus already knew who was going to betray him; that is why he said, All of you, except one, are clean). After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer garment back on and returned to his place at the table. Do you understand what I have just done to you? He asked. You called me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so because that is what I am. I, your Lord and Teacher have just washed your feet. You then, should wash one anothers feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. What a perfect example that Jesus had set for us! Washing of guests feet is usually left for the household servant to do. However Jesus took up the role of the lowliest servant to wash the feet of the disciples. He was the model servant and showed his servantattitude to his disciples. Even God in the flesh is willing to serve, what about us, his followers, must also be servants. Are we willing to follow this servant-like attitude? Are will willing to follow Jesus example to of serving? Who can we serve today? Not only serving for the sake of serving, but serving with sincerity, with unconditional love and humility just like Jesus did. We may be willing to serve our superiors and those with authority over us, but are we willing to serve others without repayment or those under us like our children or workers? If we were to inspire others to follow Jesus, then we must serve God through serving each other in love. Jesus, as you washed my feet, help me to be humble and in turn be able to serve others in love and humility so as to witness your great love. VERBUM DEI MISSIONARIES 73 Taman Mas Merah Singapore 128195 Tel/Fax: 62740251 Email: verbumdeispore@yahoo.com.sg http://www.verbumdeisingapore.org

Fri 30th Mar Jn 10, 31-42 Then the people again picked up stones to throw at him. Jesus said to them, I have done many good deeds in our presence which the Father gave me to do; for which one of these do you want to stone me? They answered, We do not want to stone you because of your good deeds, but because of your blasphemy! You are only a man but you are trying to make yourself God! Jesus answered, ...As for me, the Father chose me and sent me into the world. How, then, can you say that i blaspheme because I said that I am the Son of God? Do not believe me, then if I am not doing the things my Father wants me to do. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, you should at least believe my deeds, in order that you may know once and for all that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father....Jesus then went back again across the Jordan River to the place where John had been baptizing and he stayed there... The Jewish leaders attempted to stone Jesus for blasphemy because their laws said that anyone claiming to be God should die. But Jesus rebuked them based on his solid relationship with the Father. He is sure of his identity as the Son of God and He has a unique unparalleled relationship of oneness with the Father. Jesus and the Father are one in essence and nature. How sure are we when others in society question us about faith? On what basis do we refute our differences in values compared to the worlds? If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, then we have to accept His identify and assimilate His identity in our ways of life, just like how Jesus and the Father are one. He spoke with authority and was secure and self-assured. He knew what He was doing was according to the will of the Father. Do we depend on God for our security or do we depend on ourselves and our society to assure us in our trials and difficulties? Jesus managed to slip away and went back to the river Jordan where He was baptised and where God affirmed Him that He is the beloved Son. Do we come away to somewhere quiet and allow God to re-affirm us that we are His beloved children? Jesus, help me to stay convicted like you to be sure of my identity as a child of God and grant me courage to stay faithful in the face of trials and difficulties and allow God to be my only security.