Devotion
One of You Will Betray Me
Frances Taylor
Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied him and the rest ran away. I don't know what I would have done in their situation but I'm glad I will never find out in such a dramatic fashion. However, when I have sinned, I have betrayed him. When I have not stood up for my faith, I have denied him, and when I walk away from situations and allow others to suffer because I did not act, I have run away. Holy Week gives us an opportunity once again to reread the Passion of Christ and reflect on what happened then, and what is happening now. Would I have been part of the crowd crying out for crucifixion? Would I have had the courage to stand at the foot of the cross? I think back over the times I have failed to do what I know is right, when I have acted in an unkind and sinful manner. At these times, I am in that raucous crowd, I am asking for crucifixion. I ask forgiveness for my sins of the past that Jesus bore on that cross for me. Once again, I pray that I will make better decisions in the year to come.
Prayer
Father forgive me for the burden I placed on your Son, Jesus,' shoulders. Give me the graces I need to do a more loving job in the year to come. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
