The Lord has given me a disciple's tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech.
Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear.
For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.
The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed.
Reflection: Jesus is dangerous
Jesus had become too dangerous to have around, too dangerous to be with, too dangerous to speak with; and that's how it was to remain until he was finally got rid of.
True, Jesus is dangerous. This is so because he will ask and say things we might not want to hear. Challenge us to change our ways or reach for the higher vision. For some people, like Peter and Paul and Stephen following him meant death. For others like the Jews who followed him it meant ostracisation from their synagogues.
Jesus' message is against the culture that encourages people to look after self as number one, to ignore injustice and inequality.
He challenges: -our exaggerated love of comfort, -our self-complacency and pride, -our blindness to the needs of others, -our desires for the latest of everything especially when many do not have the basics of life. -our need to live his way of life withour his help.
We Irish have a good reputation for helping third world countries and special causes. Traditionally we have sent faith and humanitarian missionaries to third world countries over the centuries. The plight of Haiti this year is a great example of our continuing outreach as was our support to the victims of recent local floodings.
Moses urged his people to keep their eyes fixed on their healing symbol in order to stay healthy. But we need to be strong in our resolve and not to fall into our previous complacencies where neglect and abuse of our families and the nation's children are concerned. We need to keep our eye on the ball or we risk losing it altogether.
Story: Jesus and his long hair
A young lad had just got his driving licence. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they might discuss his use of the car. His father said to him, 'I'll make a deal with you. You bring your school grades up, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut, and then we'll talk about it.'
A month later the lad came back and again asked his father if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said, 'Son, I'm real proud of you. You have brought up your school grades, you have studied your Bible diligently, but you didn't get your hair cut.'
The young man waited a moment, and replied, 'You know, dad, I've been thinking. Abraham had long hair, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair.'
His father replied, Yes, son, you're right ...but they walked everywhere they went. Didn't they? (Jack Mc Ardle, And that's the Gospel truth, www.columba.ie)
Today's prophet: Martin Luther King Jr, 1929-1968AD
Martin, the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, proclaimed his great Selma address I have a dream' which included the words.
'I have a dream that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. ... I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.'
In one of his last speeches, King reminded his audience,
'In the final analysis, God does not judge us by the separate incidents or the separate mistakes that we make, but by the total bent of our lives."
Altough Martin L. King Jn was shot dead soon after this speech. April 4, 1968 (aged 39). His vision lived on and paved the way for the first black president to be elected in 2009.
A gentle call to action
Read about the first Palm Sunday in St Luke 19: 29-44. Ask yourself which crowd you would have stayed with: - the priests, (the authorities) -the pharisees, (the legal people), -the crowd, (go with the flow), -the disciples (happy today, fearful tomorrow and gone, when the chips were down, Mary and her friends, and John, (Loyal to the end and beyond.
As parents, teachers, guardian you might heckour children’s colouring pictures on the ‘Children in Lent’ part of this website
Discuss with your family about plans for Holy Week in reference to the liturgies of : Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday.These last three days of the week (Holy Thursday evening - Easter Sunday Morning are called the Easter Triduum - the most important celebration of the church year.
Let's not forget the Easter eggs, the poor, and the final week of our Lenten charity box.
Prayer
Jesus, in your death you destroyed our death, in your resurrection you point the way to how it will be for us.
In bad times give us faith, hope and confidence, in good times give us joy and strength, in difficult times help us to hold on to our dream. At all times be there to encourage us to keep going in your footsteps all the way to heaven.
We ask this in Jesus name. Amen..
Prayer image of the Day.
"He humbled himself but God raised him High". ....St Paul to the Phil 2:6f
The old Rugged Cross
1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.
2. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see, For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, To pardon and sanctify me.
Refrain
3. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; Its shame and reproach gladly bear; Then He'll call me some day to my home far away, Where His glory forever I'll share.
Jesus' message is against the culture that encourages people to look after self as 
The young man waited a moment, and replied,
Martin, the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, proclaimed his great Selma address I have a dream' which included the words.
Read about the first Palm Sunday in St Luke 19: 29-44. 
