He who lives by the Sword...

“Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?" Jesus said to His apostles in the garden of Gethsemane, when they tried to raise arms against His captors.

I think about these sacred words of Christ whenever I am contemplating the war torn world we live in. I think about what Christ said to His apostles when He was being attacked and He knew full well what His capture would mean. If Christ didn't condone violence when it could have saved His life, why would He be okay with it at other times?

Jesus was a man of love and peace. He was constantly teaching the words of God through love and self-sacrifice. Why would he be alright with all the violence the world has committed in the name of God?

At the start of Holy Week, I am reflecting on acts I have committed against my fellow man. Have I cheated, lied or stole? Have I been unjust or condemned those around me? I am certainly not innocent. I am weak, I am merely a man, who has flaws and sins. I am nothing special.

I must consider the Lord more in my daily life. I must consider what the great sacrifice Jesus did on my behalf as he did on everyone elses. It doesn't matter whether or not I believe, it matters that it is true. I love God and will try to be a better man for Him.

Pope Benedict said after Mass today, "To recognize God, we must abandon the pride that dazzles us, that seeks to push us away from God," he said. To find God, he said, "we must learn to see with a young heart, one which isn't blocked by prejudice and dazzled by interests."

I will think on this statement and try with my whole heart to love my fellow man as well as my God.

Today's Readings
Gospel
Mt 21:1-11
At the Mass
Is 50:4-7
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24
Reading II
Phil 2:6-11
Gospel
Mt 26:14—27:66
or 27:11-54