Jesus knew that one of His apostles would betray Him by selling Him for thirty pieces of silver and handing Him over to the authorities. When Jesus announced that He would be betrayed, He saw that the apostles were more curious and selfish than concerned about Him. Next, Jesus heard Peter shooting off his mouth about how he would never deny Him (Jn 13:37). Then Jesus left the Last Supper and suffered through His agony in the garden. He asked three apostles to stay awake and pray, but they all fell asleep. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and all the apostles deserted Jesus and fled (Mk 14:50). Finally, Jesus was mocked, scourged, and crucified. "He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon Him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by His stripes we were healed" (Is 53:5). As Jesus breathed His last, He screamed: " 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' which means 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' " (Mk 15:34)
Jesus was the most victimized, rejected, and abused Person ever. No matter how badly you have been abused, He understands your pain. He will give you the grace to forgive, to be forgiven, and to be healed. Jesus loves you more than you love yourself. He suffered for you. He was no victim of circumstances, but a Victim of love.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I take personally the sufferings of Jesus. |
| PROMISE: | "I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." –Is 49:6 |
| PRAISE: | Praise You, Jesus, Victim of love. You died to reconcile us sinners to the Father (Rm 5:10). I worship you. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College