Monday of Holy Week March 17, 2008

 

It is Monday of Holy Week.

It is St. Patrick's Day.

The Liturgical Readings for the day make no mention of the Saint.

The Irish, proud descendants, are also ignored here…….

Or are they?

 

Lent has been called a Faith Journey.

The Irish certainly journeyed in Faith.

 

The Penal Codes of the 1800's created martyrs.

Irish priests and bishops were murdered for celebrating Mass.

Mass was celebrated on flat rocks "Mass Rocks" in the woods

or  secretly in the homes of the faithful,  "Station Masses."

 

(For further information) www.usairish.org/irishrituals.html

 

The focus of the Irish hearts could be expressed in the words of today's First  Reading  Is:42:2-7:

 

(excerpt)  I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of  justice,

                I have grasped you by the hand;

                I formed you and set you

                as a covenant of the people,

                a light for the nations,

                to open the eyes of the blind,

                to bring out prisoners from confinement,

                and from the dungeon those who live in darkness.

 

How far the Light of Irish Faith has guided us!

Where does the glow of my faith warm and enlighten?

Where does the flame begin?

 Psalm 27, The Responsorial Psalm answers me:

 

The Lord is my light and my salvation

whom should I fear?

The Lord is my life's refuge :

of whom should I be afraid?.....

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart will not fear;

Though war be waged against me,

even then I will trust.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

 

The Gospel of today  shows us Jesus relaxing with friends while His enemies are plotting to kill Him.  Judas, the betrayer, is present lamenting the waste of money for the oil used by Mary Magdalene to wash Jesus feet.  He favors spending that money for the poor.  Jesus reminds his companions that His time with them, as they have known Him, is coming to an end very soon.  They will, however, always have the opportunity to help the poor.  Lazarus is there.  People are coming to see Lazarus after his miraculous recovery. 

 

Jesus is Friend,  Healer, Savior, Anointed One

 

I hear him as my Irish ancestors did:

 

Do not be afraid…….

 

Prayer:  The Lord is my light and my salvation;

                whom should I fear?

                Of whom should I be afraid?.......... 

 

Margaret Bryant