DAY 38
Holy Thursday
Saving Grace: (30 Seconds) The greatest Dragon Slayer that ever lived (other than Jesus himself) was the virgin Mary. Satan's pride is no match for the humility of Mary. He doesn't know how to employ it or deal with it... that is why he is always in direct confrontation with the woman. Satan said "I will not serve." Mary said "Do whatever he tells you." Nobody's prayers are more powerful than Mary's. Invoke the power of that intercession with the Memorare.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Athletics: (30 seconds) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days. Virtue of the day: Sportsmanship.....think of all the great things you have accomplished through this lent and in your life. Celebrate your progress...and give the glory to God.
Instructor's Manual: (3 minutes)
Bible Story
Once upon a time, there was a young man. It was a little more than a week before his eighteenth birthday when he stopped by his father’s office one afternoon. He hadn’t been agreeing with his father on too many things lately, and he walked into his office and said, “Dad, it’s gonna be my birthday next week, and if you love me you’ll get me a new car for my birthday. And if you really love me, you’ll get me the car I’ve always wanted.” Then, without giving his father a chance to reply he left.
The next morning, the boy’s father said, “Michael, yesterday when you stopped by the office, you didn’t mention what sort of car you’ve always wanted.” Michael replied, “You know Dad, the red Porsche 911 turbo Carrera.” The boy’s father smiled and asked, “And, how much do they cost?” “Ninety-two thousand dollars, and if you really love me Dad, that’s what you’ll get me for my birthday. Don’t let me down,” Michael replied and he left for school.
Tuesday came, and as was the family custom, they celebrated Michael’s birthday with dinner and the cutting of the cake. And as they enjoyed their cake, one by one Michael’s brothers and sisters each handed him a gift. He opened the gifts and thanked each of his family graciously, but his mind was elsewhere. Finally, the moment he had been waiting for arrived. Even as Michael’s father handed him a rectangular parcel, he hoped he would find in it the keys to a brand new red Porsche.
Michael took one rip at the parcel’s wrapping and discovered that it was a book – a Bible. Disgusted, he stood up, pushed his chair away from the table and against the wall, and rushed from the dining room. Racing upstairs to his bedroom, he slammed the door and threw the still unopened gift against the wall. It hit the wall, then the floor, and bounced into the corner.
Michael went to bed without talking to anyone, rose early the next morning, and took himself off to school. Just before lunch that day, Michael’s father suffered a massive heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital, and arrangements were made to bring Michael from school to the hospital to be with him. For seven hours, he sat at his unconscious father’s bedside, playing the events of the night before over and over in his head. Then he got up and went to get some coffee and a sandwich, and while he was gone his father died.
Michael was devastated. He went home and lay on his bed and cried. He wept and wept for hours, and then out of the corner of his eye, he saw the gift still mostly wrapped over in the corner. Getting off the bed, he went to the corner and picked up the gift and finished unwrapping it. For some time he just sat there holding the leather Bible and staring at it. Then, opening the Bible, he discovered an inscription on the inside front cover.
Dear Michael,
Within these pages, you will find
the answers to all of life’s questions,
and the secrets to all of life’s successes.
With love on your eighteenth birthday,
Dad
He wept some more. The tears streamed down his face, falling to the page and smudging his father’s handwriting. To console himself, Michael opened the Bible, searching further for some words to comfort him, only to discover that his father had placed a bookmark in the bible. He removed the bookmark and stared at it with open-mouthed amazement. It was a check for ninety-two thousand dollars.
(unknown author)
Need to Know Him: Go to Holy Thursday Mass. Reflect on how Jesus fulfills the Passover of the old covenant while instituting the Mass in the new covenant. When the Jews celebrated the Passover every year, they had specific instructions on how to do it. The child would ask the father, "Why is this night different from every other night?" The father would answer, "Because God saved me from the slavery in Egypt." He didn't say God saved our ancestors because the Passover represented the saving of each person as if they were really there that night (even though it happened 1000 years earlier). The Last Supper was a celebration of the Passover, and Jesus is the new paschal Lamb whose blood sets us free from the slavery of sin. He didn't just save our ancestors when he poured out his blood for us, he saved all of humanity, past, present, and future. He saved me. "Do this in remembrance of me" doesn't mean to just remember something that happened long ago. It means the Mass is a re-presentation of the one true sacrifice on Calvary.
Vatican II tells us, "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the centuries until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" (Sacrosanctum Concilium 47).
Theology of the Body: (Question of the Day) Why is Jesus the New Adam and Mary the New Eve?
Adam was afraid in the garden of Eden. Jesus was afraid in the agony of the garden of Gethsemane.
Adam did his own will. Jesus did his Father's will.
Adam was a coward and afraid to protect his bride. Jesus was courageous and was willing to lay down his life for his bride.
Adam didn't trust the Father. Jesus trusted the Father, even unto death, even death on a cross.
Adam's bride (Eve) was born from his side. Jesus' bride (The Church) was born from his side.
Eve was created without sin. Mary was conceived without sin.
Eve used her free will to choose disobedience. Mary used her free will to choose obedience.
Eve said no to trusting God. Mary said "Let it be done to me according to thy word."
Eve's "no" brought sin into the world. Mary's "yes" brought forth a savior who would crush the head of the serpent.
Eve was the mother of all the living. Mary is the mother of all the children of God.
Who will you be like, the first Adam or the second Adam? The first Eve or the second Eve?
Sacrifice and Service
If the King of the universe can take the form of a servant and wash the feet of his disciples then we should serve as well. Say this prayer to help you serve those you encounter....
Lord, help me to see you in the eyes of everyone I meet, so that everyone I meet may see you in me.
Holy Thursday
Saving Grace: (30 Seconds) The greatest Dragon Slayer that ever lived (other than Jesus himself) was the virgin Mary. Satan's pride is no match for the humility of Mary. He doesn't know how to employ it or deal with it... that is why he is always in direct confrontation with the woman. Satan said "I will not serve." Mary said "Do whatever he tells you." Nobody's prayers are more powerful than Mary's. Invoke the power of that intercession with the Memorare.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Athletics: (30 seconds) We will use the acronym S.P.O.R.T.S to focus on 6 virtues that will keep you focused all 40 days. Virtue of the day: Sportsmanship.....think of all the great things you have accomplished through this lent and in your life. Celebrate your progress...and give the glory to God.
Instructor's Manual: (3 minutes)
Bible Story
Once upon a time, there was a young man. It was a little more than a week before his eighteenth birthday when he stopped by his father’s office one afternoon. He hadn’t been agreeing with his father on too many things lately, and he walked into his office and said, “Dad, it’s gonna be my birthday next week, and if you love me you’ll get me a new car for my birthday. And if you really love me, you’ll get me the car I’ve always wanted.” Then, without giving his father a chance to reply he left.
The next morning, the boy’s father said, “Michael, yesterday when you stopped by the office, you didn’t mention what sort of car you’ve always wanted.” Michael replied, “You know Dad, the red Porsche 911 turbo Carrera.” The boy’s father smiled and asked, “And, how much do they cost?” “Ninety-two thousand dollars, and if you really love me Dad, that’s what you’ll get me for my birthday. Don’t let me down,” Michael replied and he left for school.
Tuesday came, and as was the family custom, they celebrated Michael’s birthday with dinner and the cutting of the cake. And as they enjoyed their cake, one by one Michael’s brothers and sisters each handed him a gift. He opened the gifts and thanked each of his family graciously, but his mind was elsewhere. Finally, the moment he had been waiting for arrived. Even as Michael’s father handed him a rectangular parcel, he hoped he would find in it the keys to a brand new red Porsche.
Michael took one rip at the parcel’s wrapping and discovered that it was a book – a Bible. Disgusted, he stood up, pushed his chair away from the table and against the wall, and rushed from the dining room. Racing upstairs to his bedroom, he slammed the door and threw the still unopened gift against the wall. It hit the wall, then the floor, and bounced into the corner.
Michael went to bed without talking to anyone, rose early the next morning, and took himself off to school. Just before lunch that day, Michael’s father suffered a massive heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital, and arrangements were made to bring Michael from school to the hospital to be with him. For seven hours, he sat at his unconscious father’s bedside, playing the events of the night before over and over in his head. Then he got up and went to get some coffee and a sandwich, and while he was gone his father died.
Michael was devastated. He went home and lay on his bed and cried. He wept and wept for hours, and then out of the corner of his eye, he saw the gift still mostly wrapped over in the corner. Getting off the bed, he went to the corner and picked up the gift and finished unwrapping it. For some time he just sat there holding the leather Bible and staring at it. Then, opening the Bible, he discovered an inscription on the inside front cover.
Dear Michael,
Within these pages, you will find
the answers to all of life’s questions,
and the secrets to all of life’s successes.
With love on your eighteenth birthday,
Dad
He wept some more. The tears streamed down his face, falling to the page and smudging his father’s handwriting. To console himself, Michael opened the Bible, searching further for some words to comfort him, only to discover that his father had placed a bookmark in the bible. He removed the bookmark and stared at it with open-mouthed amazement. It was a check for ninety-two thousand dollars.
(unknown author)
Need to Know Him: Go to Holy Thursday Mass. Reflect on how Jesus fulfills the Passover of the old covenant while instituting the Mass in the new covenant. When the Jews celebrated the Passover every year, they had specific instructions on how to do it. The child would ask the father, "Why is this night different from every other night?" The father would answer, "Because God saved me from the slavery in Egypt." He didn't say God saved our ancestors because the Passover represented the saving of each person as if they were really there that night (even though it happened 1000 years earlier). The Last Supper was a celebration of the Passover, and Jesus is the new paschal Lamb whose blood sets us free from the slavery of sin. He didn't just save our ancestors when he poured out his blood for us, he saved all of humanity, past, present, and future. He saved me. "Do this in remembrance of me" doesn't mean to just remember something that happened long ago. It means the Mass is a re-presentation of the one true sacrifice on Calvary.
Vatican II tells us, "At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his Body and Blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the centuries until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us" (Sacrosanctum Concilium 47).
Theology of the Body: (Question of the Day) Why is Jesus the New Adam and Mary the New Eve?
Adam was afraid in the garden of Eden. Jesus was afraid in the agony of the garden of Gethsemane.
Adam did his own will. Jesus did his Father's will.
Adam was a coward and afraid to protect his bride. Jesus was courageous and was willing to lay down his life for his bride.
Adam didn't trust the Father. Jesus trusted the Father, even unto death, even death on a cross.
Adam's bride (Eve) was born from his side. Jesus' bride (The Church) was born from his side.
Eve was created without sin. Mary was conceived without sin.
Eve used her free will to choose disobedience. Mary used her free will to choose obedience.
Eve said no to trusting God. Mary said "Let it be done to me according to thy word."
Eve's "no" brought sin into the world. Mary's "yes" brought forth a savior who would crush the head of the serpent.
Eve was the mother of all the living. Mary is the mother of all the children of God.
Who will you be like, the first Adam or the second Adam? The first Eve or the second Eve?
Sacrifice and Service
If the King of the universe can take the form of a servant and wash the feet of his disciples then we should serve as well. Say this prayer to help you serve those you encounter....
Lord, help me to see you in the eyes of everyone I meet, so that everyone I meet may see you in me.
