Homily of Tuesday in the Holy week. 31st March, 2026. Fr Emmanuel Aghidi CSSp.
Texts: Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:23-33 36-38
Friends, this is the week of weeks in our Christian faith. It is the apex of our salvation history. Today, Jesus demonstrates great courage. Having known the plans of Judas and having seen the gory and terror on his path to his destiny, he tells Judas “what you want to do, do it quickly.”
The first reading talks about the Son of God as the light to the nation. But this light will not shine through a route of peace, comfort and ease. It will shine through the cross. Through this light, God’s salvation will reach the ends of the earth. But the cross is the lamp stand of this light.
Oftentimes, we are faced with challenges that question our faith. Challenges that will make us compromise. We meet with the reality of the pains of bearing witness. Yet it is in that ,that our light shines. What do we do in this sense? Do we run away or do we drink the cup? They come through politics, entertainment, fashion and even religious principles. Do we look at Jesus and say “we are going with you?”
Jesus’ heart was troubled. Picture that moment. Picture the fears, the pains, the terrors of understanding that his life will soon be poured out. He says “one of you here will betray me.” This was in the context of supper. Imagine the joy of supper ruined with the pains of a known fact of doom. Yet this is not doom. This is a glorification.
The Holy week is a time that draws us into a retrospection of our witnessing. The witnessing is not rosy. It is not built on the foundation of comfort. Let us learn from Jesus to be courageous.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, let your good spirit guide me in the way of justice and truth. May I be courageous in taking up my crosses and following you. Amen.
