The sufferings of Jesus (HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE HOLY WEEK APRIL 2023

Homily for Tuesday of the Holy Week

Isaiah 49:11-6; John 13:21-33,36-38.

Our readings today centre on the sufferings of Jesus. In the first reading, there is a possible indication of frustration that has crept into the mind of the suffering servant because of the enormity of difficulties he needed to put up with. "I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God" (Isa.49:4).

Though he suffered, he still has his cause in God. The resilience of Jesus was tested to its limit, especially during his passion and death, where he even wondered if God had abandoned him. Yet on the cross, the pains he went through did not stop him from doing things pleasing to his heavenly Father like forgiving those who killed him and making excuses for their sins.

Frustrations that come with difficulties can be natural to one's mission. However, like Jesus, the grace of God is capable of overcoming the worst of them. We should not measure our undertakings with the immediate result we may obtain. We should look for rewards from God (cf. Isa.49:4).

Jesus, in today's Gospel, foretold the treachery of Judas and the denial of Peter. On the one hand, the predictions of Peter's denial and Judas' betrayal were the manifestation of inner pain that Jesus experienced. On the other hand, it was a moment for his disciples to step back from those similar transgressions 

Jesus' effort to make Judas repent did not produce much positive result because Judas' mind was made up. Do I respond when the Lord alerts me?

The tragedy of the life of Judas was that he did not repent, though he regretted his action. Here lies the difference between Peter and Judas. 

May God grant us a truly repentant heart to turn to him each time we go astray through Christ our Lord. Amen.