TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK 2011 : PONDERING A THIRD SUFFERING SERVANT SONG ISAIAH 49:1-6; AND ANOINTING THE SICK, ELDERLY, INFIRM, AND DISABLED; IN COMMUNAL CELEBRATION...........

As day three of Holy Week 2011, begins - the First Reading of the Liturgy of the Word, at Mass today is another of the Prophet Isaiah's Suffering Servant Songs, this one from Chapter 49 : Verses 1-6.  These brief verses speak of the prophetic potential, and sword like precision, with which Isaiah protrays the one who will come as the Suffering Servant of God, in the Atonement of Humankind's Sin.  We believe, as have Catholic-Christians that for over 2,000 years -,  Jesus, the Co-Eternal Son of God, is the Anointed One, "The Christ", sent to be the perfect Suffering Servant; whose Sacrifice for our personal and collective human sins, accomplished Forgiveness and Reconciliation - in the Paschal Mystery of the Passion, Death, Resurrection, He endured - for our Salvation.  In our liturgical Gospel Proclamation on this Tuesday of Holy Week, John 13:21-33;36-38; Jesus prophetically proclaims in the presence of His Apostles, that He would be betrayed by one of His own Apostle Judas, and presciently predicts that Simon Peter, despite his pledge of support and solidarity, will deny Him thrice, as Jesus stands condemned for crucifixion and His Passion and Death unfold.  This morning at 10:30 am OLOL parishes, who are sick, suffering, ill, infirm,. diseased, disabled, elderly, or enduring chronic health conditions, will be anointed by Fr. Pius and I, at a special Mass in the church.  So as we enter further into the sacred events and mysteries of this historically seminal week, in all of Christian Faith and Discipleshi;, may yoi wherever in the World you may be, join your sufferings and weaknesses to the sacrificial Suffering and Passion of God's Loving, Co-Eternal Son and Our Redeemer, Jesus The Christ.  Pray; Ponder; Discern; Discover; the Saving Love, Jesus Our Self Sacrificing Passover Lamb Of God Truly Is For Us And All Who Believe In, And Follow Him...........Holy Week PEACE !!!,   Fr.  Troy