Saturday in Passion Week

I usually don't post anything for Saturdays, but I like what today's readings are. Jeremias, a figure of Christ, has prayed for the Jews for years. He has obtained for them many benefits: Children, an abundance of crops, etc. But they, like the Jews of Jesus' time, have forgotten Who did everything for them. They have relied upon their own resources, ignoring the God that been very good at providing for them. Jeremias, who realizes that the Jews want to kill him, has given up on them, and asks for their demise. No more children, the men to be killed, no more graces for them! Wow! When Jesus comes, he goes through the same problems: the Jews rely on their own devices and rituals, and want to kill Him, also. The Assyrians had ruined the temple once before, and the temple will be brought down again, this time in the year 67AD, the same year that Peter and Paul are slain in Rome. Coincidence? I think NOT!

I would like to end with another hymn/prayer that we don't get to hear anymore; this one taken from the 6th century: Honoring Mary, Our Blessed Mother, and The Holy Cross.

We that, by the fruit of the forbidden tree, lost our life, now seek the tree of life.
He alone hath found this tree, who sees the branch whereon is fixed the fruit.
Our faith tells us, that the fruit, that gives us life, hangs on Mary's breast.
And on the cross, between two thieves, though here he pierced with five wounds.
The Virgin-Mother, and the saving cross, both are mystic trees;
The cross, humble as the hyssop; Mary, noble as the cedar: both are trees of life.
Placed between the two, I know not to which to turn.
O sweet perplexity! O sweet comparison!
Here, my Jesus lies, fondled in his Mother's arms, a weeping little Babe;
There, with his arms stretched out, calling all to his embrace.
Here, 'tis Love itself, too ardent to be hid.
Here, leaning on his Mother's heart, he is fed at her breast;
There, fastened to the tree, he feeds us from his wounds.
The cross supplies us with the food of its refreshing fruit;
The Mother forestalls the cross, feeding the very fruit, feeding him for us.
This, then, is my decision: we cannot have the one without the other.
He that chooses the cross, must have the Mother; for when he comes to the cross, he will find the Mother standing at the foot.
He that chooses the Mother, meets the cross as well, for it was while standing at the cross, that the Mother's heart was pierced.
O Jesus! crucified Son of a crucified Mother! look upon us from thy cross.
O living fruit! O fruit of the tree of life! refresh us with thyself, give us the enjoyment of thine own dear self. Amen.