Welcoming & Embracing the Stranger: Lenten Reflections with the Artwork of James Tissot

March 31, 2026 - Tuesday of Holy Week

Today's Gospel is John 13:21-33, 36-38: "Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.' So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas 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 Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night."

Once again, we are privileged to offer a meditation from our Wisdom Figure of Preaching, Msgr. James Turro. This is taken from his out-of-print 1972 book entitled: “Reflections… Path to Prayer.” 

“The world crucified Christ, 

Mocked His good works 

And tried to stifle 

His truth and mission, 

But Christ is fully alive 

And the Christian message 

is more powerful than ever before. 

You may be persecuted or 

Misunderstood, ridiculed, ignored or assaulted 

but, remember, your efforts, 

your work, will live on long after 

those who mocked are gone.” 

Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord's Passion that we may merit to receive your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Roman Missal)

Rev. Msgr. James Turro, Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies

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