Tuesday of Holy Week
New Zealand – Christchurch Calendar
Liturgical Colour: Violet · Year A (II)
First Reading
Isaiah 49:1–6
Islands, listen to me,
pay attention, remotest peoples.
The Lord called me before I was born,
from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name.
He made my mouth a sharp sword,
and hid me in the shadow of his hand.
He made me into a sharpened arrow,
and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, “You are my servant (Israel)
in whom I shall be glorified”;
while I was thinking, “I have toiled in vain,
I have exhausted myself for nothing”;
and all the while my cause was with the Lord,
my reward with my God.
I was honoured in the eyes of the Lord,
my God was my strength.
And now the Lord has spoken,
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him,
to gather Israel to him:
“It is not enough for you to be my servant,
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back the survivors of Israel;
I will make you the light of the nations
so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 70(71):1–6, 15, 17
In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice rescue me, free me;
pay heed to me and save me.
Be a rock where I can take refuge,
a mighty stronghold to save me;
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
Free me from the hand of the wicked.
It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, since my youth.
On you I have leaned from my birth,
from my mother’s womb you have been my help.
My lips will tell of your justice
and day by day of your help.
O God, you have taught me from my youth
and I proclaim your wonders still.
Gospel
John 13:21–33, 36–38
While at supper with his disciples, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared,
“I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.”
The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, “Ask who it is he means,” so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, “Who is it, Lord?”
“It is the one,” replied Jesus, “to whom I give the piece of bread that I shall dip in the dish.” He dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. At that instant, after Judas had taken the bread, Satan entered him. Jesus then said, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
None of the others at table understood the reason he said this. Since Judas had charge of the common fund, some thought Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the piece of bread he went out. Night had fallen.
When he had gone Jesus said:
“Now has the Son of Man been glorified,
and in him God has been glorified.
If God has been glorified in him,
God will in turn glorify him in himself,
and will glorify him very soon.
My little children,
I shall not be with you much longer.
You will look for me,
and, as I told the Jews,
where I am going, you cannot come.”
Simon Peter said, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus replied, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; you will follow me later.”
Peter said to him, “Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
“Lay down your life for me?” answered Jesus.
“I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.”
Reflection
Tuesday of Holy Week exposes the interior fracture of discipleship.
Isaiah speaks of the Servant formed from the womb, sharpened like an arrow, chosen not only to restore Israel but to become “light of the nations.” The Church recognises in this prophecy the universal mission of Christ (CCC 713; 748). Salvation is not tribal. It is global. It reaches to the ends of the earth.
Yet the Gospel brings that mission into the smallest, most painful space — a dining table.
Jesus is “troubled in spirit.” The betrayal is not symbolic. It is relational. The Catechism teaches that Christ freely accepted his Passion, fully aware of human rejection (CCC 609–610). Nothing surprises him. Nothing escapes his obedience to the Father’s will (CCC 599–600).
Judas receives bread — a sign of friendship — and leaves. “Night had fallen.” In John’s Gospel, night signifies spiritual darkness. Sin closes the heart (CCC 1865). Judas walks outward into physical darkness, but inwardly he has already chosen separation.
Peter, meanwhile, stands in contrast. He is not malicious — he is overconfident. His promise is sincere, but built on his own strength. The Catechism teaches that Peter’s weakness does not cancel his mission (CCC 552–553). Grace will rebuild what pride collapses.
Holy Week does not simplify human failure. It reveals it.
Betrayal.
Denial.
Fear.
And yet — glory.
Jesus says, “Now has the Son of Man been glorified.” Glory is not postponed until Easter. It begins in obedience. The Cross is not interruption; it is fulfilment (CCC 617).
The Servant’s mission to be light to the nations passes directly through darkness.
This Tuesday invites examination:
Where am I walking into night?
Where am I overconfident like Peter?
Where do I need grace to strengthen what I cannot sustain alone?
Holy Week strips away illusion.
It prepares the heart for surrender.
One line to carry today
Glory begins in obedience, even when it passes through darkness.
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