Lent: Day 6

When they came to the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the village that is opposite you. As you enter, you will find a young donkey who no one has ridden. Untie him, and bring him. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and he will send him back here.”

They went away, and found a young donkey in the street, and they untied him. Some of those who stood there asked, “What are you doing, untying the donkey?” They said to them what Jesus had said, and they let them go.

They brought the young donkey to Jesus, and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees, and spreading them on the road. Those who went in front, and those who followed, cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

This was to fulfill what was written, “Don’t be afraid, daughter of Zion. Your King comes, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was raised from the dead, they remembered what had been written about him. 

The crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb was talking about it. Others went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign. The Pharisees said among themselves, “We’ve accomplished nothing; the whole world has gone after him.”

Reflection

 

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem symbolized peaceful revolution: ‘peaceful’ because he entered on a humble donkey rather than a powerful warhorse; ‘revolution’ because he allowed himself to be hailed as a Messiah who would save his people and inaugurate a kingdom. Do you see following Jesus to be a revolutionary act? In what ways are you a peaceful revolutionary? 

Prayer: Continue to challenge me, Lord, that I not take you for granted and miss out on your revolution.

Lent: Day 5

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, to the home of Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead. Jesus had supper there, with Martha serving, and Lazarus among those sitting at the table with him. Mary, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very expensive, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 

Then Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would betray him, said, “Why wasn’t this ointment sold for a year’s wages, and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was dishonest, and stole from the money box. 

Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial. For you always have the poor with you, and you can help them whenever you want, but you don’t always have me. Wherever this good news is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be spoken of as a memorial of her.” 

A large crowd of the Jews learned he was there, and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but to see Lazarus as well, whom he had raised from the dead. The chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

Reflection

This is the only indication that Judas was dishonest, focused on worldly riches rather than spiritual ones. He begins at this point to separate himself from those who are devoted to Jesus, and align himself with those who seek the death of both Jesus and Lazarus. What makes people align themselves with forces of death and destruction? Have you ever been tempted to do so? Could you be? 

Prayer: Don’t let me get off track, Lord, and end up with those who oppose you.

Lent: Day 4

Jesus went on to tell them a parable: “It is like a man, going into another country, who called his servants, and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five million, to another two million, to another one million, according to their ability. Then he went on his journey. The one who received five million went and traded with it, and made another five million. In the same way, the one who got the two gained another two. But the one who received one million went and dug a hole, and hid his lord’s money.

“After a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. The first said, ‘Lord, you gave me five million. I have gained five more.’

“His lord said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“The second came and said, ‘Lord, you gave me two million. I have gained another two million.’

“His lord said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“The one who had received one million came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter. I was afraid, and hid your talent in the earth. Here is what you gave me.’

“His lord answered, ‘You wicked and lazy servant. You knew I reap where I don’t sow, and gather where I don’t scatter. You ought to have deposited my money with bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.’ Take away the million from him, and give it to the one who has ten million. For to everyone who has will be given more in abundance, but from those who have little, even what they have will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Reflection 

Considering that each talent was worth about $1 million in today’s currency, these servants were entrusted with a lot of money! It is unclear whether the servant with one talent was motivated by fear or dishonesty, but clearly the master was upset by the lack of effort. How do you evaluate what you have done with the life God has given you? Do you expect “Well done, good and faithful servant” to be your reward? 

Prayer: Help me do something, Lord, with the abilities and opportunities you’ve given me.