John: 13, 21-33, 36-38

Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: John: 13, 21-33, 36-38
Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So he took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.
When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you. Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered , “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.”
Peter said to him, “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

Reflection
I find in this gospel the two ways that Jesus was betrayed. There was the calculated and outright betrayal by Judas on one hand, and on the other, Peter’s repeated denial of Jesus. The first, as John says, was buoyed by Satan, who entered unto Judas and egged him to do the deed. Peter’s, though unplanned and unexpected, was nevertheless a manifestation of the weakness of his resolve, the weakness of his faith. And as the big picture of Jesus’s story tells us, there is a huge difference between the paths that these two have taken after this fateful night, which represent the way we make decisions and conduct ourselves when we, human as we are, commit a sin. Do we like Judas, embrace evil and Satan completely and let him take over our hearts and thoughts? Or do we, like Peter, acknowledge our weaknesses, and then move forward and resolve to become better servants of God, in words and in deeds, ultimately helping our Lord in building his Church, in loving his people to make this world a better place?

Lasallian Guiding Principles
Zeal involves preferential concern for the poor and the vulnerable. This underscores the greatest story of the Gospel – Jesus sacrificed himself to redeem the world. As Lasallians, we embrace Zeal when enthusiastically commit ourselves to the mission of serving the last, the least, and the lost. And we have an opportunity to choose to do this every day in our communities.

Prayer for the Tercentenary of the Founder’s passing to Eternal Life (adapted)
God, our Father and Mother, You love us with endless mercy. You call us to be your sons and daughters.
Give us a generous heart. A heart of flesh that “burns within us.” A heart always willing to love. A compassionate heart for those who suffer. A heart where there is a place for all Lasallians around the world. Lord Jesus, You call us to follow you. Give us the courage to live our commitment. Teach us to go beyond our borders. Teach us to discover you in the lowliest. Teach us to look with the eyes of faith. Teach us to share our mission with all Lasallians of the whole world. Holy Spirit, You call us to live with joy. Fill us with your grace to live the values of the Gospel. Fill us with your grace to be active members in your Church. Fill us with your grace so that we may be credible witnesses, together with the entire Lasallian Family, in the midst of our world. Together and by association, we wish to renew our Lasallian commitment, and, in an attitude of thanksgiving, celebrate these 300 years of life. We ask this through Mary’s intercession, Queen and Mother of the Christian Schools. And through the intercession of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, Universal Patron of Christian Educators. Amen.
Let us pray with one Lasallian Heart whose Commitment is to nurture Life. Now, in a very special way, we pray for the complete healing of our Brother Superior General, Br. Bob Schieler FSC.
We entrust Him to Your power. Touch him oh Divine Physician with Your healing hands. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Then say 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be.

Our Lady of the Star, pray for us.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Value: Zeal for Service (Nurturing Service)
Culture Theme: We give selflessly and receive graciously
Productivity Theme: Going to the extra mile
ICV WEEK 4: We are willing to make personal sacrifices.

C.(n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved April 15, 2019, from https://dailygospel.org/AM/gospel/2019-04-16
DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Our Daily Lasallian Reflection and Prayer is DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration

Prepared: Haydee A. Sy