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Sunday, April 2, 2023https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040223.cfm
https://bible.usccb.org/podcasts/audio/daily-mass-reading-podcast-april-2-2023
April 2, 2023
Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:1-11
At the core of all abuse and exploitation is a failure to recognize the life and dignity of the human person. Whenever we view others as mere parts, rather than a whole person, as a means-to-an-end, as less than a person, or as less than ourselves we place them at risk for exploitation and harm. This use of another is the opposite of love. It takes humility to truly love – to will the good of another. Jesus, the Messiah, the King of Zion, enters Jerusalem “meek and riding on an ass…the foal of a beast of burden.” Jesus is the perfect example of humility. His life provides an example of authentic love: a total, self-sacrificing, gift of self – the opposite of abuse and exploitation. We are called to live and love like Christ.
Prayer to Become More Like Jesus
God, our Father,
You redeemed us
and made us Your children in Christ.
Through Him You have saved us from death
and given us Your Divine life of grace.
By becoming more like Jesus on earth,
may I come to share His glory in Heaven.
Give me the peace of Your kingdom,
which this world does not give.
By Your loving care protect the good You have given me.
Open my eyes to the wonders of Your Love
that I may serve You with a willing heart.
Amen.
-Catholic Online
Isaiah 50:4-7
Sexual abuse and exploitation are devastating – not only because of the physical harm and emotional pain caused by the abuse, but because of the weight of shame carried by those in its wake. Instilling guilt and shame are among the tools used by an offender to prevent disclosure. Our blame and shame culture further adds to the burden of those who experience abuse and those who love them. The fear of shame and disgrace can lead us to turn inward, away from assistance to stop abuse and promote healing. Isiah tells us that with the Lord God as our help, we shall not be put to shame. He will give us the strength and the courage necessary to speak out, seek help, and begin to heal.
Dear God, give me courage,
for perhaps I lack it more than anything else.
I need courage before men against their threats
and against their seductions.
I need courage to bear unkindness,
mockery, contradiction.
I need courage to fight against the devil,
against terrors and troubles, temptations,
attractions, darkness and false lights,
against tears, depression, and above all fear.
I need Your help, dear God.
Strengthen me with Your love and Your grace.
Console me with Your blessed Presence
and grant me the courage to persevere
until I am with You forever in heaven.
Amen.
-Catholic Online
Psalms 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
How many of us, in-the-midst of suffering, have plead to God for rescue? How easy it is to imagine that God has abandoned us when the pain continues! We begin to believe the words of those who mock us. We begin to feel unloved, unlovable. It is so hard to see the truth – that we were created in the image of God who is love – far from unlovable! God desires only good for us, but He also does not take away the free will of any of His children – even those who abuse and exploit. His deepest desire is that every one of His children will chose to love – to love Him and to love one another. God does not abandon us in our suffering. He walks with us, carrying us through. He became man to save us, and in the process experienced all the pain of abuse: scoffing and mocking, torture and neglect, betrayal and exploitation. There is no suffering He cannot empathize with. He is not far from us. He is our help and our aid.
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Philippians 2:6-11
There is a tendency for humanity to view humility and obedience as a weakness. Beginning with Adam and Eve we have desired equality with God, failing to recognize that it is in our humility and weakness that we are most like Christ, who is exalted by God… whose name is above every other name… at whose name every knee should bend!
Almighty and Everlasting God,
You have given the human race
Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility.
He fulfilled Your Will by becoming Man
And giving His life on the Cross.
Help us to bear witness to You
By following His example of suffering
And make us worthy to share in His Resurrection.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.
-Catholic Online
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Today we read the Passion of Jesus, and we are given the opportunity to truly immerse ourselves in the scene as we read aloud the voice of Jesus’ betrayers. Abuse and exploitation involve a betrayal of trust. This betrayal is not limited to those who abuse - it continues in the actions of those who fail to protect and offer no means of healing. The impact of such betrayal reverberates throughout our entire Church today. We are not alone. Just as He was betrayed by his disciples at the time of His passion, Jesus is again betrayed today when his disciples abuse, fail to protect, and fail to heal.
Jesus, we are here with you outside the garden where one of your closest friends betrayed you, with of all things, a kiss. Something intended to be a sign of love and affection, he used for violence and deception. We have felt this too. Those who have abused within your Church used actions that God gave humankind to express love and affection in a way that hurt so many.
Lord, I know that you never willed for your children to be harmed by abuse, that you let those who abused chose to do these things without regard for your will. Help me to understand that what you want for me and all your children is good, but your gift of free will is not something you will ever take from anyone, no matter how they choose to use it. That includes me. I am free to choose where I go from here. Help me to choose the path of love – for myself, for others, for you. Amen.
– from The Way: A Healing Retreat for Survivors of Abuse
Sue Stubbs – Archdiocese of Atlanta
Not to be reprinted without written permission.