8 March 2010: Jesus is taken captive; Apostles flee

“Jesus came forward and asked them, ‘Whom do you seek?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. Jesus replied, ‘I am he’. At his answer, they fell backward to the ground. ‘If therefore, you seek me, let these go away.’

... Simon Peter, having a sword drew it and struck the servant of the high-priest, and cut off his right ear. The name of the servant was Malchus. Jesus, having touched his ear, healed it.” (cf Jn 18:4-8,10)

Why did Jesus multiply proofs of his divinity by wonderful miracles at the start of his Passion? To show that being taken prisoner ‘... was his own will’, as Isaiah had foretold.

Otherwise, how would the martyrs have replied to the insult of their tyrants? What folly to adore a God who was put to death by men! And how could the saints have convinced them that Jesus’ violent death was not due to powerlessness, but his love for the human race?

Let us recognize and appreciate the indulgent goodness of God to men. If Jesus obliges them to humbly believe mysteries which they cannot understand, only because he says so, he helps their belief, not by grace alone, but through miracles which appeal to the senses. All these he is ready to repeat as often as necessary.

How great was the blindness of the Jews! Despite the wonderful miracles which they witnessed, they persevered in their criminal intentions. And because he gave himself up, they thought they had conquered.

There is proof that even miracles do not convert the man who indulges his passions. Passion blinds a man, stifling the voice of reason and conscience. On the other hand, Jesus yields; bound, shoved, struck, and grossly insulted all the way from Gethsemane to Jerusalem.

Recall, then, the end of the promises of the disciples. All had assured their beloved Master that they were determined never to forsake him, to go with him to prison and to death. But as soon as they saw him bound, all shamefully abandoned him and fled.

The words of Jesus were then verified -- “All you shall be scandalized in me this night” (Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27), meaning they would be unfaithful. Seeing him led to prison they lost faith in his divinity, his omnipotence, and left him. For it is written, “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be dispersed” (Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27).

Such was the consequence of the Apostles’ presumption, and their neglect of prayer before the struggle, as Jesus had expressly advised them to do.

We condemn the inconstancy and cowardice of the Apostles; blame them for deserting. But we deserve to be condemned, too for habitually being unfaithful to our promises and resolutions; and neglecting to pray.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp99-101

‘Refugium peccatorum’ (Refuge of sinners)

But now we assure him that we want to follow him closely, to stay with him and not leave him alone, in those moments and in those places when it is not easy to say that we are his disciples. We want to follow him in our work, or studies, on the street; and when we are in the church, with the family; or during healthy recreation. But we know that by ourselves we cannot do anything: with our daily prayers, we can.

Perhaps one of his disciples went in search of the Holy Virgin and told her that they had taken her Son. And she, despite her immense pain, gave them peace in those bitter hours.

We, too can find refuge in her -- ‘Refugium peccatorum’ -- if despite our good intentions we were not brave enough to stand up for the Lord when he was counting on us. In her we will find the necessary strength to remain with the Lord in bad times, and to be reinforced by her in our desire to make amends.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:246

Entrusting the World to Mary

The Second Vatican Council renewed in us consciousness of the Church and her mission; and also consciousness of a particular relationship between the Church and the contemporary world.

This conciliar program of renewal leads me to add a particular act of entrustment of the contemporary world to the act of entrustment of the Church to the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church which I pronounced last year.

I desire to make reference in this way to the act which Pope Pius XII performed forty and thirty years ago and which was recalled also by Pope Paul VI, when he proclaimed Mary ‘Mother of the Church’ on the occasion of the closure of the third session of the Council.

The contemporary world is threatened in various ways. It is perhaps threatened more than it has been at any other time in the course of history. So it is necessary for the Church to wake and watch at the feet of Him who is the Sole Lord of history and Prince of the age to come.

I, therefore desire to watch and wake together with the whole Church, raising a cry to the Heart of the Immaculate Mother. I invite all to join me in spirit.

Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p187

The intercession of our Mother

The Church has always shown us the way to ensure our petitions reach God more promptly through the mediation of Mary, Mother of God. We turn to her now:

· “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence I fly to thee Oh Virgin of virgins, my Mother, to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.” [“Memorare” prayer by St Bernard of Clairvaux in “Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”, 1991, pp636-7]

Ref: cf Francis Fernandez, op cit, 54

Our Lady of Virtues, at Lisbon, Portugal — Antonius Vasconcellius in Descriptione regni Lusitaniae, c. 7, § 5. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

Nossa Senhora / Our Lady of Virtues (Lisbon, Portugal) -- The ten principal virtues for which she is known: Purity, Prudence, Humility, Faith, Piety, Obedience, Poverty, Patience, Charity and Compassion. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

Our Lady of the Lily. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)