April 7, Tuesday of Holy Week

I will sing of your salvation.-- Psalm 71:15

Mass readings: Isaiah 49:1-6 / John 13:21-33,36-38

'It Was Night'

Strange, how a few words can sum up a situation that seems to defy description: ''It was night.'' Night. Darkness. Certainly the apostles are in the dark -- clueless of what will happen. Peter epitomizes this. He thinks he's willing to ''lay down his life'' for Jesus -- little realizing that before the cock crows he will deny Him three times. For Judas, the night is much more tragic. He breaks his last connection with Christ. He goes out, deserts the community. It is truly ''night'' for him.

Yet in this moment of night and darkness, Jesus speaks of glory. What a strange God we have, who can bring light and hope for the world out of apparent darkness and hopelessness. It's something we might consider in this Holy Week and whenever darkness touches our lives.

Prayer: God of Day and of Darkness, be with me in the light and shadows of my life.