Readings:
Isaiah 49:1-6.
John 13:21-33,36-38
Reflection:
In Holy Week, one of the main themes is the ‘Servant of the Lord’ which is portrayed in the book of Isaiah. Encountering this Servant, we used to think of the suffering one which indicates Jesus in the Passion of the Lord. It is right, but not enough because the Passion does not end with the Death of Jesus but also the Resurrection.
In the second song, the Servant of the Lord was called from the mother’s womb and well-prepared with a sharp sword mouth. This symbolic mouth is not for harm but for the glorification of the Lord in piercing other ‘hearts.’ When one’s heart is opened, salvation will be brought forward and reach the ends of the earth.
In John’s Gospel, the hearts of Judas and Peter are opened step by step. It seems to be significant that the night has fallen on Judas when he left the group. Judas’ heart was open for his betrayal, but it was closed again before he could hear Jesus’s words. It is a bit different with Peter as he can perceive his master’s words and recognise his own denial. With the sound of cock crow, Peter’s heart is not closed but more open for the light of the new day.
In our lives, our hearts are also pierced before Jesus, especially when we encounter His Death and Resurrection. At that time, we can choose to keep it closed because the darkness is falling or to keep it wide open for dawn light.
JD Tân T CP is a Vietnamese Passionist who lives and studies further at the Holy Cross Retreat, Templestowe.