15 April 2025 - Tuesday of Holy Week
Homily
In these last days of Lent before the Easter Triduum, the Mass readings bring us definitively into the aspects of the paschal mystery that we will celebrate over the next few days.
Firstly, in the first reading, we have one of the most beautiful poems of the prophet Isaiah. It is the second song of the Servant, towards the end of the Book of Consolation of Israel. This Book of Consolation for Israel, which constitutes the second part of the Book of Isaiah, was composed during the deportation to Babylon, after the destruction of the Temple, and it already announces the hope of return. It is a poem that describes the suffering inflicted on the Servant of Yahweh, but also sings of His complete trust in God. A poem of trust in suffering.
As for the passage from the Gospel of John that we have just read, it describes the last Passover meal taken by Jesus with His disciples, this account being tragically opened by the mention of Jesus' betrayal by Judas and it ends with that of Peter's denial.
Throughout the Gospels, and particularly in the accounts read at the Eucharist over the past few weeks, we have seen the Pharisees and High Priests grow increasingly opposed to Jesus and we have seen their determination to put Him to death. This is very clear in the account of the Passion. However, what makes this outcome even more tragic is that it comes about through the betrayal of one of Jesus' close friends, one of his twelve Apostles, with whom He celebrates the Passover.
So let us prepare our hearts to enter this Easter Triduum, during which we will remember all that Jesus had to suffer for us, but with our eyes already fixed on the glory of His resurrection.
Armand Veilleux