The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anounted with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord's own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
Many of us feel tension whenever we have to deal with conflict. We don't like confrontation and feelings of resistance. We especially don't like it when negative vibes are floating around. Some of us avoid it so religiously that we never resolve many of life's ordinary daily issues.
Not to make light of the events leading up to the crucifixion, I imagine that Jesus experienced very negative vibes as he sent his disciples off to prepare the upper room for Passover. He had to know that the leaders were plotting something and he must have been afraid of what they might do. Yet he didn't leave Jerusalem or did not turn away from the greatest confrontation of his life; he did not put it off.
As we approach the three great days of the Triduum, let us pray for courage and for faith, both of which Jesus had in abundance.
Prayer: Jesus, help me to keep watch with you during the solemn days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Please walk with me wherever I go, and give me the courage to let my faith show in all my words and actions. And when I pray the Creed, help me to remember that words are not enough for you. You have asked us to love others as you have loved us. Amen.
xo
xo
