WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

DAY 21 - HOLY WEDNESDAY

Today, we have a mini lesson on the Fourth Cup theory, an idea that connects Jesus' final Passover meal with his death on the cross in an interesting way. We hope that it helps you prepare for the Easter Triduum, see Mass of the Lord's Supper and Jesus' death on Calvary with renewed eyes and renewed heart for our own journey to the cross. We've also got some family resources and activities for participating in the Triduum from home.

From Our Spiritual Director ✝

Holy Wednesday Reflection

Readings

Isaiah 50:4-9Psalm 69Matthew 26: 14-25

We hear the words in our first reading from the Prophet Isaiah: “The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary.” We all have the opportunity to speak to those who may be having difficulties in our lives right now or who are struggling with the faith. What are the gifts that God has given you to use? Sometimes we do not count ourselves as worthy or equipped to help others, but we must have the courage to try. When we simply open our hearts to others we become disciples of Christ, and allow ourselves to build his kingdom. How will you help to build up the kingdom of God during this Holy Week? Take some time and reflect how you can “speak” to someone over the next few days. Maybe it's not doing something earth-shattering, but a simple phone call or a message to a friend or a loved one. What can you do to show God’s love and mercy today?


– Fr. Matt Rawson

Mass Readings

Pray with the Mass Readings from Holy Wednesday Mass

Wednesday of Holy Week

Lectionary: 259

Reading 1

Is 50:4-9a

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?


Responsorial Psalm 69

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for consolers, not one could I find. Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving: “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.


Gospel

Mt 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, "My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘ “ The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

Whats is Jesus doing on Wednesday?

Holy Wednesday - Jesus is Preaching in the Temple

"And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him." - Luke 21:37

The Scriptures tell us that during the last week of Jesus' life he is found preaching at the temple everyday. The Jewish leadership, who are actively conspiring to kill him, go to the temple to try and trick him and catch him in his teachings. Thy pose questions to him about the Christ and paying the tax to Caesar, not because they want to know the answer, but to see if they can get him to say something they can use against him. (Take some time to read Jesus' words and these last final confrontations - Matt 21:23-25:46, Mark 11:11-14-11, Luke 19:47-21-38, John 12:20-50). Jesus' message is much of his coming Kingdom, which he will establish at his death, and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which will happen in 70 AD by the Romans as a result of a Jewish political revolt. To the good and faithful, Jesus shares parables encouraging them to remain faithful, and if they do they are received into the Kingdom with words like "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Mt 25:21) Yet to the Jews leadership, who are hellbent on his destruction, he has a much stronger message, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness...how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?" (Mt 23:27,33) Tomorrow evening, this wicked leadership will finally arrest Jesus, hold a mock trial and have him quickly executed. Thinking they have finally alleviated this problem, what they don't realize is that through their actions they have actually brought about his Kingdom and ushered in Jesus' reign as King.

Triduum - Family Resources & Activities

Triduum Family Activities & Resources

The Triduum is a three-day period which begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper (aka The Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet) on the evening of Holy Thursday, continuing into Good Friday Service (not a Mass - commemorating Jesus' sufferings, death and crucifiction with the veneration of the Cross): flowing into the Easter Vigil (Easter fire, lighting of the Paschal Candle dispelling the darkness & prepare for Jesus' ressurection--the Light of the World to come; and continue through Easter Sunday celebrations.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES:

Holy Thursday - Join us online for Mass of the Lord's Supper (7pm)

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist as the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the Sacrament of the Priesthood. The Last Supper was the Passover Meal or Seder Meal in which Jesus made a new Covenant with the breaking of the bread and blessing of the cup.

  • Before your evening meal, reenact the Last Supper with your family. Wash one anothers's feet. The washing of feet is a symbolic ritual of humble service. Through our baptism, we are each are called to serve one another and care for each other--spirtually and physically.

  • At dinner, begin with prayer then break and share bread together. As a family talk about ways you can serve each other in the home: ways you can serve others in your community. Make a plan on ways to serve.

Good Friday - Join us online for Passion of the Lord (2pm); Virtual Stations of the Cross available anytime.

In this time of "darkness", take time to reflect what it means to live in darkness--physically and spiritually. Jesus is the light of our salvation, He brings light to our world, without Him, we live in spiritual darkness, disconnected from God.

  • "Unplug" from Noon on Friday through noon on Saturday (or at least Noon - 3pm Friday)

  • Pray and reflect on the Stations of the Cross as a family. Share in the reading of the stations.

  • Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries Rosary together as a family.

Holy Saturday - Join with us to watch the Easter Vigil Mass from the Diocese online.

On Holy Saturday we, along with the entire world, stands vigil for the resurrection of Jesus. The Easter Vigil begins at dusk with the Service of Light, blessing the new fire, the lighting of candles and the Paschal Candle to Symbolize the Ligth of Chirst. We then hear the story of salvation history in the reading of the scriptures. Iy. Jesus is the light of our salvation, He brings light to our world, without Him, we live in spiritual darkness, disconnected from God.

  • Dye Easter eggs. This tradition comes from a Roman saying, "All life comes from an egg." The egg is a symbol of new life, rebirth.

  • Making a Hom Paschal Candle - Our Domestic Church

  • Build an Easter Fire in your fireplace or fire pit, light candles to represent the Light of Christ. Sitting by the fire or candle light, read aloud the scriptures of the Easter vigil liturgy,


RESOURCES:

Video Links and Movie Suggestions

Triduum

Holy Thursday

Good Friday

Holy Saturday / Easter Sunday


Easter Coloring Pages & Activity Pages


The Four Cups

"Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for consolers, not one could I find. Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."


- Psalm 69:20-21