Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My dearly beloved Sons,
On the first Sunday in Lent, we heard the devil presenting the Lord with all the kingdoms of the earth and their glory: “All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.” (Mt 4:9) But Jesus answered, “Begone, Satan: for it is written: The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and Him only shalt thou serve. (Mt 4:10)
On the second Sunday, we witnessed the Transfiguration. The Father’s voice resounded, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him.” (Mt 17:5)
On the third Sunday, we joined a crowd full of admiration for the Lord, Who had just cast a devil out. A woman exclaimed, “Blessed is the womb that bore Thee and the paps that gave Thee suck.” (Lk 11:27) Jesus answered, “Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.” (Lk 11:28)
On the fourth Sunday, the crowd’s admiration reaches such heights that they plan to take Him by force and make Him king. Knowing this, Jesus fled alone (cf. Jn 6:1-15).
Last Sunday, the controversy with the Jews concerned the glory the Lord seemed to appropriate. Jesus confessed, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father that glorifieth Me, of Whom you say that He is your God.” (Jn 8:54)
We are reminded of the Lord’s first Passover, which St. John narrates after the miracle in Cana. Many then had believed when they saw the signs which He was doing. Yet, “Jesus did not trust himself unto them, [...] for He knew what was in man.” (Jn 2:24-25)
As we enter this holy week, the question arises as to whether we know what is in our own hearts. Illusion may cloud our discernment, but our acts, which are the children of our lives, as well as the inner atmosphere in which we move, often reveal the deepest secrets of our hearts.
Which God do we adore? Him who offers glory, so consoling in the eyes of men? or Him Who is pleased by a heart humble, meek, generous, and without murmuring? Who then is our master? Are we to be counted among those who hear the word of God and keep it, and put it into practice?
We would very likely have been members of today’s crowd, bearing olive palms and chanting, “Hosanna to the son of David!” (Mt 21:9)
Would we also have faithfully been at the foot of the Cross?
In the school of Mary, let us prepare our hearts to receive the abundance of Paschal grace. Let us renounce glory in the eyes of men, let us live consistently with our faith, disciples of Christ in an obscure, terrible, and often contrary, everyday life. This everyday life led Christ towards Calvary, and it now provides us with our own crosses. Let us die with Christ in everyday life, so as to be someday raised up with Him in glory.
Have a holy week.
Amen.
