40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Holy Tuesday, 04 April 2023 Isaiah 49:1-6 >>> + <<< John 13:21-33, 36-38
Dear Jesus, let me be sensitive of other people, of their feelings and beliefs, of their roots and situations, most especially of their needs, their fears, their pains, their losses and their longings. How sad, dear Lord, when you expressed to the Twelve on your Last Supper how you were "deeply troubled" that one of them would betray him, "they looked at one another and were at a loss as to whom you meant"; more sad was after you have identified Judas Iscariot as the one to betray you, they still did not get it! (cf. John 13:21-30).
Many times, dear Jesus, we are like them, so self-centered, always looking at others, at a loss at what you mean because we lack sensitivity: we rarely think about you really nor of others as we are preoccupied with our own ideas and perceptions about you and others, refusing to suspend or let go of them even for a while to feel exactly how others felt; we have lost that sensitivity to have the eyes to see what others see when they are lost, who stop to notice others are missing or crying or been left behind as their pace slowed down due to heavy burdens.
My sweet Lord, knock me off my senses, from my self-centeredness and self-righteousness giving reasons even justifications to whatever I do, when I have become results-oriented than person-oriented that as a result, I could not take failures and disappointments in life. May I have your sensitivity and humility as God's Suffering Servant.
Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God.
Isaiah 49:4
Let me sing of your salvation, Lord Jesus Christ in unison with my suffering brothers and sisters, trusting in you alone. Amen.
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