Many of you who read this have been kissed passionately and have experienced the love and intimacy which accompanies such a kiss. Some of you have also been treated with indifference or even have been betrayed by the same person who kissed you earlier. Imagine, then, how Jesus felt in being kissed by Judas, His betrayer. Even so, Jesus never stopped loving Judas. He even addressed Judas as "Friend" after Judas sealed Jesus' death with a kiss (Mt 26:50).
On this Palm Sunday, we open our lips to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. In effect, we receive a eucharistic kiss from Jesus (see Sg 1:2). Will we kiss Jesus with a kiss of loving intimacy, repentance, and commitment (see Lk 7:38), or will we give Him betrayal, indifference, and a kiss of death? (see 1 Cor 11:27-30) Will we use our lips to tell Jesus "Hosanna" today (Mt 21:9), but ignore Him later this week by living a lifestyle which opposes His teaching and which shouts "Crucify Him"? (Mt 27:22-23)
On Good Friday, in five days, we will have another opportunity to kiss the cross of Jesus in veneration. A penitent woman tearfully and lovingly kissed the feet of Jesus (Lk 7:37-38). In the same way, seal your commitment to Jesus "with the kiss of love" (1 Pt 5:14, RSV-CE).
| PRAYER: | "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim Your praise" (Ps 51:17). My lips are Yours, Lord Jesus, from now on. |
| PROMISE: | "Clearly this was the Son of God!" –Mt 27:54 |
| PRAISE: | "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Mt 21:9) |
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