“Countdown Begins!”

“Countdown Begins!”(Lk.22:1-34).
This is the last week marking Lent 2025. This last week is called Passion or Holy Week. The week began with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The story then unfolds with the tragic events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus albeit with the happy ending of Easter celebrating his resurrection from the dead.
We encourage Christians who have so far not been attending Lent services to make an effort to attend the services of Passion Week. Key services of the Week include Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday service to celebrate the inauguration of the Lord’s Supper, Good Friday service commemorating the death of Jesus, and Easter Sunday on which we commemorate Jesus’ victory over death.
All four gospels carry stories of the Passion week. The lectionary selection for this year is from the gospel of Luke.
Our recommendation is that you read each given text to the end, reflect on it and see how far it helps to bring you closer to Jesus.
Today’s Passion story include Judas’ agreement to betray Jesus, Jesus eating the Last Supper, filling it with new content to make it a commemorative meal calked Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion or Eucharist. It also contains Jesus’ prediction of what he will undergo in the hands of evil men. Jesus also taught them an important lession about who should be the greatest. Here too we read of Simon expressing his readiness to die with Jesus – if need be – and with Jesus telling Peter that before the roister crows for the day Peter will deny three times that he knew Jesus.
Today’s Passion story portrays the Twelve as a microcosm of us all – especially about the intrigues of close aides. This includes Judas’ readiness to betray his master, the general debate as to who is the greatest amongst them. Then the hypocrisy of Peter expressing his readiness to die with Jesus.
Our consolation is that these weaknesses are the very reasons why Jesus had to suffer and die.
Dear friend, as we reflect on the Lord’s Passion – as per our reading – may the Holy Spirit help us not to be money-minded like Judas, not to be power-hungry and to think we are the greatest, and not to be like Peter pledging what is not in our power to fulfil!
Prayer of the day and week: Holy Spirit guide us against traitorous and hypocritical thoughts and actions that betray our Lord. Amen!
Welcome to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
14/04/2025.