There's a Tuesday in Holy Week? :)

Today just seems like a weird day.  I feel like having the climax of the entry into Jerusalem a few days ago...and preparing myself for the climax of the Cross in a few days...I'm not really sure what I am supposed to be doing and feeling today. :)

During these days Jesus spent time with all the people in Jerusalem and tried to continue to teach them this week.  The Gospels are filled with some of those stories.

However, the Gospel reading for today was one of the accounts of the Last Supper.  In this account, he warns of Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, and talks about going somewhere they can not follow at this time.  What can this mean to us on Tuesday of Holy Week?  One thing I am taking from this passage is the extreme need to grow my friendship with Christ.  If these men, who even a few days ago seemed to be so loyal to Jesus will soon deny him...how do I keep from denying him daily?  I go back to something I've written about a couple of times.  Our need for daily prayer.  If I am going to withstand temptations and persecutions...I have to let him strengthen my heart.  I can not take for granted his presence in my life.  And, there are many times, daily, that I start to wander away from his protection.  It is then that we must turn back to face him and open ourselves back up to his peace.  I think this story in the middle of Holy Week reminds us of those feelings.  We aren't celebrating anything huge today.  It seems like it can be natural to take for granted Tuesday...what ever happened on a Tuesday?  :)  He wants to make sure that we don't do the same with him.

In addition to the Gospel was a beautiful passage from Isaiah.  Following are a few of the lines:

The LORD called me from birth,

from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.

Though I thought I had toiled in vain,

and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,

Yet my reward is with the LORD,

my recompense is with my God.

I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD,

and my God is now my strength!

I realize that this is about Israel...but when I put my name in place of 'I' it makes me smile with great gratitude.  And, the reality is...I was called from birth to be God's, my reward is with the Lord, and I am definitely made glorious in the sight of the Lord (and the same is true for you)!  But, how many times do we forget our own dignity?  Forget just how important we are for the building of the Kingdom?  And, how many times does God call us back to this understanding?  We have to believe that God has created us with a plan, and when we follow the will of God (especially during the times that we are confused by his plan) we will see more clearly how amazing and fruitful our life is.

I do like the fact that these were the two readings for today...such a middle of the road, nothing important type of day.  We must look to the dignity that God has placed on us so that we will have the strength to withstand the struggles of our time; and to turn back to him daily to remember and re-enlighten our soul.

As this week continues, let us continue to turn our focus to the Cross and beg the mercy and grace of God to help us carry our crosses along-side his.