TUESday 04 APRIL

SAINT Isidore of Séville

He was born in Spain in c. 560. As Archbishop of Seville, he was prolific in his writings and diligent in governing the Church, Isidore did not neglect the service of those in need. St. Isidore of Seville died on April 4 of the year 636.

Entrance Antiphon: Cf. Ps 26: 12

Do not leave me to the will of my foes, O Lord, for false witnesses rise up against me and they breathe out violence.

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion that we may merit to receive your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

First reading: Isaiah 49:1-6

Islands, listen to me, pay attention, remotest peoples. The Lord called me before I was born, from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name. He made my mouth a sharp sword, and hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow, and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant (Israel) in whom I shall be glorified”; while I was thinking, “I have toiled in vain, I have exhausted myself for nothing”; and all the while my cause was with the Lord, my reward with my God. I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord, my God was my strength. And now the Lord has spoken, he who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him: “It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Psalm 70:1-6, 15, 17

R/ My lips will tell of your help.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, free me: pay heed to me and save me.

Be a rock where I can take refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me; for you are my rock, my stronghold. Free me from the hand of the wicked.

It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, since my youth. On you I have leaned from my birth, from my mother’s womb you have been my help.

My lips will tell of your justice and day by day of your help. O God, you have taught me from my youth and I proclaim your wonders still.

Gospel Acclamation

Glory and praise to you, O Christ! Hail to you, our King! Obedient to the Father, you were led to your crucifixion as a meek lamb is led to the slaughter. Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel: John 13:21-33, 36-38

While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, “Ask who it is he means”, so leaning back on Jesus” breast he said, “Who is it, Lord?” “It is the one” replied Jesus “to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.” He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some of them thought Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”, or telling him to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen. When he had gone Jesus said: “Now has the Son of Man been glorified, and in him God has been glorified.  If God has been glorified in him, God will in turn glorify him in himself, and will glorify him very soon. “My little children, I shall not be with you much longer. You will look for me, And, as I told the Jews, where I am going, you cannot come.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.” Peter said to him, “Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” “Lay down your life for me?” answered Jesus. “I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.

Prayer over the Offerings

Look favourably, O Lord, we pray, on these offerings of your family, and to those you make partakers of these sacred gifts grant a share in their fullness. Through Christ our Lord.

Communion Antiphon: Rm 8: 32

God did not spare his own Son, but handed him over for us all.

Prayer after Communion

Nourished by your saving gifts, we beseech your mercy, Lord, that by this same Sacrament, with which you have fed us in the present age, you may make us partakers of life eternal. Through Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the People

May your mercy, O God, cleanse the people that are subject to you from all seduction of former ways and make them capable of new holiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Meditation

Meals are great moments of Jesus’ life: marriage at Cana, at Bethany, meals at the home of Zacchaeus the publican, at the home of Matthew the Pharisee, but especially the Last Supper with his disciples. Unfortunately, it is also around these meals, moments of communion, that tensions and betrayal are mixed. Yes, friendship and betrayal: two words that sum up Jesus’ last evening with his people; a declaration: “one of you will betray me”, a mouthful and Judas went out for “it was night”.  Judas was truly one of the Twelve, chosen and loved by Jesus with a special love; but the love of money led him to betray his friend and turn away from his master. Nevertheless, Jesus’ passion is more of glorification because he loves the Father and the Father loves him. So in his light, it is only by remaining faithful to his friendship that we too will take part in his glory. Without any pretence, let us present ourselves as we are to the truth of his presence which reconciles us to him. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “the mystery of iniquity (2 Thess 2:7) is only illuminated in the light of the mystery of piety” (cf. 1 Tim 3:16).