March 31, 2021 Reflection – Wednesday of Holy Week

Dear Family of Mary!

“He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26: 23-25)

It seems that it is very easy for us to lie to ourselves about our behavior, to misrepresent to our own conscience what we are doing, so that we can decide to do something objectively wrong, and tell ourselves it is “OK”, necessary, etc. If we are not vigilant about the small things that we do, naming them as sin and rejecting them, then the bigger sins will follow. We make ourselves insensitive to the harm we do, and soon we have done great harm.

This may be what Judas did, after three years of mismanaging the money given to Jesus and the disciples, he became sure that his need for money was the highest good. Even Jesus could be sold for money. His conscience was marred and useless. He became capable of the most heinous crime of all.

Our Lady understands how easy it is to deaden our consciences, and so she told us:

December 4, 1986“Dear children! Today I call you to prepare your hearts for these days when the Lord particularly desires to purify you from all the sins of your past. You, dear children, are not able by yourselves, therefore I am here to help you. You pray, dear children! Only that way shall you be able to recognize all the evil that is in you and surrender it to the Lord so the Lord may completely purify your hearts. Therefore, dear children, pray without ceasing and prepare your hearts in penance and fasting. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Prayer and fasting are necessary for us, if we are to purify our hearts, our consciences, making them capable of recognizing sin and choosing instead the good. Mother Mary, please stay with us, constantly guiding us away from sin, and waking our consciences up to choose the good. Jesus, have mercy on us!

In Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2021