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Monday, March 21, 2016

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Holy Week


Isaiah 42:1-7
Psalm 27:1-3, 13-14
John 12:1-11

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beyond personalities

"Here is my Servant Whom I uphold, My Chosen One with Whom I am pleased, upon Whom I have put My Spirit." —Isaiah 42:1

Jesus comes to us this Holy Week "not crying out, not shouting, not making His voice heard in the street. A bruised reed He shall not break, and a smoldering wick He shall not quench" (Is 42:2-3). Jesus comes quietly and gently.

Jesus calls us to respond to Him this Holy Week as did Mary of Bethany. He wants us to passionately, boldly, and extravagantly throw ourselves at His feet and anoint Him with the perfume of our love (Jn 12:3).

Jesus comes unassumingly, and we should respond passionately. This is an unusual combination, for those who relate to a quiet Messiah are usually quiet themselves; while the extravagant seldom notice the gentle Jesus.

In this Holy Week, the Lord wants to take us beyond our personalities and backgrounds. By God's grace, we can respond to Jesus as never before. We can transcend our human limitations. The extrovert can be contemplative. The silent type can be effusive in witnessing to Jesus' love. The cerebral can be emotional, while the emotional can be tranquil.

This is Holy Week. It is different than any other week. By God's grace, you can be different. The spectrum of your personality can be stretched. You can express your love to the Lord in new ways. Throw yourself at Jesus' feet.

Prayer:  Jesus, give me the discipline and freedom to express my love for You in new ways.

Promise:  "The great crowd of Jews discovered He was there and came out, not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead." —Jn 12:9

Praise:  Rose went to Chrism Mass and it changed her Holy Week, Easter, and life.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 28, 2015

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