This week, we celebrate passion – the passion of Christ for us, God’s people. A passion that took Jesus to the cross, to prove the love of God, for his creation.

Although, this week commemorates Jesus’ passion the Gospel reading we have just heard makes reference to the passion and zeal of others. In the Gospel reading we see Mary’s love of Jesus driving her to anoint his feet as an act of devotion, passion and friendship. John also contrasts Mary’s unselfish love with the passion of Judas for money and dishonesty. All Judas is concerned about is how much he can make from the man he once passionately believed in and followed. Judas’s passion for wealth is all consuming, sad and ultimately a cause of his death. Mary’s passionate feelings for Jesus are humbling and touching; a simple act of love that few of us would shirk from doing to one we deeply loved.

Think of people like Martin Luther King jr, the young man killed in Tiananmen Square or those who chose to protest on issues that they passionately believe to be wrong or right. Driven by their passion to try and change the world.

Passion makes a difference. Passion can change the world and those with strongly held passions can teach us much about having a goal in life, a vision for the future. For passion encourages hope and hope in its turn fires passion but you have to have a sight of what it is you hope for in order to let your passions drive you forward.

What is your passion?

What is your vision?

How do you see the future?

What do you hope for?

And what are you going to do about it?

This week challenges us to be passionate activists for the sake of Christ, for the sake of our fellow beings in the world and for God’s creation. If you take nothing else away from today’s readings just remember that God calls you to live a passionate life. A life fuelled with a desire to do experience an existence that is fulfilling and demanding. And a life in which all God’s people are treated with respect, fairness and dignity and to have a passion for respect, fairness and dignity is all about living the Gospel message to the full.