Monday, April 15, 2019

Monday of Holy Week

TAX DAY

Psalm 27, verse 3:

³Though an army encamp against me, my heart does not fear; Though war be waged against me, even then do I trust.

In a purer sense an army does encamp against every follower of Christ; it is the army of the devil and those under his flag in this world. They do wage a war against us, and our only hope is to trust in Christ. If we trust all we need say for God’s help is three simple words: “Come Holy Spirit”. The Holy Spirit coming to sinful men is what Holy week is all about. It is what Christ’s sacrifice was all about. Mary of Medjugorje tells us that, “The most important thing is to pray to the Holy Spirit” Because if one has the Spirit “one has everything.[1]

Therefore, when the spirit convicts you of an action do not hestitate. Don’t be like the unfaithful servant, 'Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.

1733 The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to "the slavery of sin."

Attend the Chrism Mass which is conducted on this day when the bishop blesses the holy oils to be used for the year.

Goffine’s Devout Instructions (1896) for Monday in Holy Week

Prayer. GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who fail through our infirmity, in so many adversities may be relieved by the passion of Thy Son, making intercession for us.

EPISTLE. Isaias 1. 5-10.

In those days Isaias said: The Lord God hath opened my ear, and I do not resist I have not gone back. I have given my body to the strikers, and my cheeks to them that plucked them: I have not turned away my face from them that rebuked me, and spit upon me. The Lord God is my helper, therefore am I not confounded: therefore, have I set my face as a most hard rock, and I know that I shall not be confounded. He is near that justifieth me, who will contend with me? let us stand together, who is my adversary? let him come near to me. Behold the Lord God is my helper : who is he that shall condemn me?

Lo, they shall all be destroyed as a garment, the moth shall eat them up. Who is there among you that feareth the Lord, that heareth the voice of His servant, that hath walked in darkness, and hath no light? let him hope in the name of the Lord, and lean upon his God.

GOSPEL. John xii. 1-9.

Six days before the Pasch Jesus came to Bethania, where Lazarus had been dead, whom Jesus raised to life. And they made Him -a supper there: and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of them that were at table with Him. Mary therefore took a pound of ointment of right spikenard, of great price, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, he that was about to betray Him, said: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence and given to the poor?

Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the purse, carried the things that were put therein. Jesus therefore said: Let her alone, that she may keep it against the day of My burial. For the poor you have always with you: but Me you have not always. A great multitude therefore of the Jews knew that He was there: and they came, not for Jesus’s sake only, but that they might see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

Lenten Calendar[2]

Read:“Holy Week, which for Christians is the most important week of the year, gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the central events of the Redemption, to relieve the Paschal Mystery, the great Mystery of faith. . . May divine grace open our hearts to an understanding of the invaluable gift of salvation, obtained for us by Christ’s sacrifice.” (Pope Benedict, General Audience, April 8, 2009)

Reflect: Watch a video reflection on the day’s readings.

Pray: Pray for the catechumens in your community today who are waiting to be baptized into the Church on Holy Saturday.

Act: Take time to plan ahead to ensure that you and your family can attend Mass on Holy Thursday, services on Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Saturday.

Monday of Holy Week[3]

The Gospel for the Mass gives an account of Judas' character, foreshadowing his act of betrayal.

Spring Cleaning Just as the Hebrews cleaned and swept the whole house in preparation for the Pasch (Passover), so too is there an ancient custom in Christianity that the first three weekdays of Holy Week be a time for the year's most thorough cleaning. Everything is to be scrubbed and polished, and all work is to be completed by Wednesday evening (in time for Tenebrae).

Tenebrae consists of the divine office of Matins and Lauds for Maundy Thursday. It is generally held on the night of "Spy Wednesday" of Holy Week, so-called because it is believed to be the night on which Judas Iscariot betrayed our Lord.

Timeline of Holy Week[4]

· Jesus curses the fig tree. (Mt 21:18-19; Mk 11:12-14)

· Jesus cleanses the temple. (Mt 21:10-17; Mk 11:11; Lk 19:45-46; Jn 2:13-25)

· Parable of the wicked tenants (Mt 21:33-46; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19)

· Returns to Bethany at night.

On Monday[5], Jesus returned with his disciples to Jerusalem. Along the way, He cursed a fig tree because it had failed to bear fruit. Some scholars believe this cursing of the fig tree represented God's judgment on the spiritually dead religious leaders of Israel. Others believe the symbolism extended to all believers, demonstrating that genuine faith is more than just outward religiosity. True, living faith must bear spiritual fruit in a person's life. When Jesus arrived at the Temple he found the courts full of corrupt money changers. He began overturning their tables and clearing the Temple, saying, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves." (Luke 19:46) On Monday evening Jesus stayed in Bethany again, probably in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

Tax Day (Taxes Due)[6]

Tax Day marks the last day to file income taxes in the United States. The history of US Income Tax dates back to the Civil War and the Revenue Act of 1861. This tax was imposed to help pay the costs of the war. After several repeals, new taxes, and subsequent repeals, the 16th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified and went into law in 1913. This established the right of Congress to impose a Federal Income tax. The Income Tax remains the primary way (and borrowing from china) that the US Government finances itself to ensure that all monies due for the prior year are paid, a Tax Day was created. All US taxpayers are required to file taxes based on prior year’s earnings by this date. Traditionally this date has been on April 15 of each year. If this day falls on a weekend, the due date is extended. This date is also impacted by the Emancipation Day Holiday in Washington DC.

Tax Day (Taxes Due) Facts & Quotes

· In 1913, the original US income tax rates were 1% for incomes over $3,000; 6% for incomes over $500,000. (Now when will they take it all and give us food stamps and credits at their whim.)

· During World War I, around 1918, the highest income tax rate was over 77%.

· The power of taxing people and their property is essential to the very existence of government. - James Madison, U.S. President

· A tax loophole is something that benefits the other guy. If it benefits you, it is tax reform. - Russell B. Long, U.S. Senator

Tax Day (Taxes Due) Top Events and Things to Do

· Be sure to mail your Tax Return before the midnight of the designated Tax Day.

· File for an extension before midnight, if needed.

· Visit Office Depot and shred your old documents for Free.

· Take advantage of Tax Day Freebies at local restaurants.

· Watch a movie that deals with taxes and the consequences of unpaid taxes. Our picks: Stranger Than Fiction (2006), Catch Me If You Can (2012), The Firm (1993), The Mating Game (1959)