Gospel Reading

Click here for today's chronological reading of the Gospels. 

• Matthew 26:47-56
• Mark 14:43-52
• Luke 22:47-53
• John 18:2-12

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It Must Happen This Way

After pleading with the Father in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prepares Himself for Judas to set His journey to the cross in motion. For 30 pieces of silver, Judas sells Jesus out.

Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”  - Matthew 26:49-50

What could cause someone to call their betrayer "friend"?

In retaliation to this unjust arrest, Peter employs the use of his sword to protect his rabbi:

When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. - Luke 22:49-51

What could move someone to heal their enemy's ear? A better question might be: What if we were so convinced of an unseen purpose that it influenced our present behavior? 

Jesus knew where He was going. Like an expectant mother endures contractions as she labors to see the arrival of her child, so Jesus perseveres, giving birth to a crown after the cross. Like a farmer that toils and awaits the bountiful harvest, so Jesus fights to see the glory beyond His death.

The truth is that we’re all experiencing varying degrees of suffering. The reality is that if we are in Christ, we can consider them “light” and “momentary.” A deep conviction of the faithfulness of God and a fixation on His goodness can shift our hearts from resistance to surrender. We have a hope that’s an anchor for our souls in the seas of sadness, cynicism, and suffering. We can stand firm on Christ the solid rock, who empathizes with our weaknesses. For the joy set before us, we too can endure.

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Daily Practice and Reflection

God grant me the serenity 
To accept the things I cannot change; 
Courage to change the things I can; 
And wisdom to know the difference. 
Living one day at a time; 
Enjoying one moment at a time; 
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 
Taking, as He did, this sinful world 
As it is, not as I would have it; 
Trusting that He will make all things right 
If I surrender to His Will; 
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life 
And supremely happy with Him 
Forever and ever in the next. 
Amen.

- The Serenity Prayer, Full Version

 

What hardships are you currently resisting? Tell God how you really feel about it.

 

Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of His presence in your hardships.

 

Thank God for how these hardships are drawing you to Him.