“The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered” April 12

Prayer

Jesus, we have a simple choice. Follow you or not. Woe to us when we betray you with our misplaced priorities and plans.

We ask you to be our companion on this journey and guide us so that we may never stray from the prescription our Father has for us.

We know we are tempted to stray. With you on our side, with you as our guide, we can not fail. Amen.

Study

Today’s challenge is presented in these scripture readings:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/041206.shtml

“The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered”

Earlier this week, we examined the question “WWID?” What would I do? Today, we have the simple answer – Do as Jesus commands. The dichotomy is presented squarely as we see the action of the disciples compared with the actions of Judas, who did not do as Jesus commands.

Judas took matters in his own hands and made his deal with the church authorities to betray Jesus.

Jesus never took matters into his own hands. From the time he was 12, he was explaining to Mary and Joseph that he had to be about his Father’s work. His whole life, from birth in a Bethlehem stable to death on a Jerusalem hill, was all about fulfilling his Father’s will and plan.

What happens when we follow God’s plan? Look no further than Isaiah for answers:

You will know how to speak to the weary and rouse them
Your ears will be opened
When you face the enemy, the Lord God is on your side

Isaiah doesn’t tell us that God promises everything will be a rose garden. You will endure physical suffering and humiliation but through it all, the Lord GOD is your help. He is our prayer partner. He is in the chapel offering Palanca for us.

Reminds me of a concept that Dr. Paul Farmer explained for use in treating AIDS and tuberculosis in Haiti and Africa. One of the problems is that patients must take their pills one time and never miss a dose. In the hospital, there are nurses, doctors and others to deliver medication. At home, people forget. So, Farmer’s program enlist the help of a neighbor in these remote villages to be the “Accompagnateurs” for the patient. Translated this can be interpreted as “guides” or “companions.” They are partners on a journey, someone who accompanies you where you need to go. Every day – or sometimes twice a day – the neighbor brings over the required medicine to assure that it is taken. The success rate for treatments have skyrocketed with this concept.

If God has a plan or prescription for you, who would you like to be your guide and your companion on the journey – your “Accompagnateur?” Judas? Or Jesus?

What happens when we betray Jesus and follow our plan? “[W]oe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”

Our choice is simple as depicted in today’s readings: emulate Jesus or emulate Judas. Discern and follow God’s plan or make a plan of our own.

* Being this is Cursillo, we should probably use the Spanish translation: Acompañante.

Action

Can you be an “acompañante” to someone in crisis? Seems like that’s what the corporal works of mercy are all about. That’s what the spiritual works of mercy are all about. That’s what the Good News is all about.

Lent started on Ash Wednesday when Fr. Bill Quigley posed the question, “Whose cross can you help carry during this season?” How have you answered that challenge?

And we thought Cursillo invented prayer partners. Indeed! In deeds!