THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 2:14, 22-33

Psalm 15(16):1-2,5,7-11

1 Peter 1:17-21

Luke 24:13-35

THE EMMAUS EXPERIENCE!

According to today’s readings, the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were not accidental events. As the Risen Jesus revealed to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, everything happened according to the Scriptures. For it was necessary that the Christ should suffer and enter into his glory (Luke 24:13-35). According to the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost, everything that happened to Jesus was according to the set plan and foreknowledge of God. He was dead but God raised him to life (Acts 2:14, 22-33). Therefore, his Passion, death and resurrection were part of God's saving plan for all mankind. Everything was known to Him before the foundation of the world so that we may be redeemed by the precious blood of His Son Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:17-21). 

But this was not evident to the disciples, especially during the few days that followed his death. As the Emmaus story reveals, the disciples lost hope and were overwhelmed by fear. They had hoped that Jesus was the Messiah who would deliver Israel; but he was mercilessly put to a shameful death. To them Jesus’ death might have been a defeat, a total failure. Looking disappointed and dispirited, lost and downcast, the Risen Jesus joins them on the way like a total stranger. Their eyes were kept from recognizing him until the time of breaking bread. In short, their encounter with the Risen Lord transformed them; it changed their sadness into joy, and their darkness into the light of faith.

Sometimes, we too undergo struggles of faith and walk through valleys of darkness. Again, we do not understand why certain misfortunes happen to us or to others. But we should always remember that those situations are stepping stones to glory and triumph. Let us never forget that Jesus is walking along the way with us even when everything appears dark around us. Thus, in moments of confusion, when life seems meaningless and hopeless, and we are at the point of giving up, let our prayer be as simple as that of the Emmaus disciples: Mane nobiscum, Domine: Remain with us, Lord. For the Lord is our portion and cup. He will not leave our soul among the dead nor let his beloved know decay. Amen

2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A

Acts 2:42-47

Psalm 118

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

In 2000, during the Mass of canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, Pope John Paul II declared the Sunday after Easter be called “Divine Mercy Sunday”, adding that “Divine Mercy reaches human beings through the heart of Christ crucified.” Therefore we celebrate today God’s merciful love manifested to us through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, in today’s gospel passage, the Risen Christ appears to his disciples and shows them the marks of his Passion, expression of God’s Mercy for mankind. 

We can imagine ourselves like the disciples who locked themselves up in the room for fear of the Jews, just as we too are locked down for fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, the first gift that the Risen Lord gave to his disciples, overwhelmed by fear, doubt and pain, was peace: “Peace be with you!” he said to them. The peace he gives them is the peace that forgives, forgets their failures and mistakes, reconciles them with himself and assures them of his presence. It is the peace that gives joy and hope. 

In the second reading, Peter addresses the Christians in the Diaspora, encouraging them to be joyful and hopeful despites the sufferings and trials that they might have to go through. For “God in his mercy has given us a new birth to a living hope” (1 Pet. 1:3-9). These words are addressed to us again today. With the Resurrection of Christ, “we acquire a fundamental right that can never be taken away from us: the right to hope. It is a new and living hope that comes from God” (Pope Francis). Thus, we should never give up or be discouraged no matter what. 

Moreover, in these difficult moments, the early Christians are given to us as models. They put their belongings in common, sharing them to each according to his needs. This is solidarity! Again, they were devoted to the teachings of the Apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to prayers (Acts 2:42-47). We are therefore challenged in these times of lock down to devote ourselves constantly to prayers, to the reading of the Word of God, to spiritual reading, and to communal life in the family. By so doing, we will make our homes “living domestic churches” and feel the presence of the Risen Lord. 

As the Risen Christ breathed on his disciples giving them the Holy Spirit, may he grant us the same Spirit to renew and strengthen us. May he assure us of his unfailing presence and increase our faith, hope and charity. Amen

EASTER SUNDAY

Acts 10:34.37-43

Psalm 117

1Corinthians 5:6-8

John 20:1-9

HE HAS RISEN INDEED

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. For we celebrate the foundation of our faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, from the gospel reading, the resurrection of Jesus does not present itself as a scientific fact to be proven. No one saw him coming out of the tomb. But the empty tomb, the appearances of the Risen Lord and the witness of the apostles testify that something extraordinary and beyond human understanding happened.

In effect, in the early morning of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter and the other disciple realized that the tomb was empty. They saw the linen lying on the ground. The cloth that covered Jesus’ head was not with the linen but rolled up in a place by itself. This means that Jesus’ body was not furtively taken away. The other disciple saw and believed (Jean 20:1-9).

Thus, in the first reading, Simon Peter bears witness to the resurrection of Christ as a fact of faith. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to them. They saw him, ate and drank with him. And by his mandate they are his witnesses (Acts 10:34.37-43). Other resurrection narratives testify to this. It is therefore true that Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection was not a fabricated story.

But what is the import of Jesus’ resurrection for us today? St Paul replies that we should get rid of the old yeast of evil and wickedness so as to make ourselves into completely new persons marked by sincerity and truth (1Co 5:6-8). By our way of life, we must bear witness to the Risen Lord and show that we are children of the resurrection. We must share the light of the resurrection that dispels fear, discouragement, corruption, injustice, unforgiveness, falsehood, hypocrisy, wickedness, selfishness, etc. Therefore, let us pray that the resurrection of Jesus may bring us joy, hope, breakthrough and renewal in every sphere of our life. Amen

Happy Easter to you all !!!

PASCHAL TRIDUUM, HOLY SATURDAY

Gen. 1:1-- 2:2; Gen. 22:1-18; Exod. 14:15—15:1; Is. 54:5-14; Is 55:1-11; Bar. 3:9-15.32—4:4; Ezek. 36:16-17.18-28; Rom 6:3-11; Matt. 28:1-10

THE EASTER VIGIL, THE NIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS

Holy Saturday is the third day of the Sacred Triduum. In the evening, we celebrate the Easter Vigil, “the Passover in honour of the Lord”. The liturgy of the Easter Vigil is made up of four parts, namely, the service of light, the liturgy of the Word, the liturgy of baptism and the liturgy of the Eucharist.

The liturgy of the Word invites us to meditate on the Salvation History, how God has been so close to mankind since creation. The great events that mark this history have been wrought in the night. The first act of creation was the victory of light over darkness: “let there be light” and there was light (Gen. 1:3). It was at night that God saved the Israelites from slavery through the Passover meal, liberating them from the power of Pharaoh. It was at night that he led them dry-shod through the red sea (Ex. 14). It was at night that our Saviour was born in Bethlehem. It was at night that Jesus rose from the dead, breaking the chains of death. It could be said that Easter is essentially a passage: the passage from darkness to light, the passage from death to life, the passage from slavery to freedom.

Therefore, one thing that Holy Saturday teaches us is that no matter how deep and how long the night is, the day will surely come. No matter how long the waiting may be, the fulfillment of God’s promise will surely come. Jesus had to go through the terrible experience of dying and being in the tomb for three days. But now he has risen! This day invites us to hope against all hope. There is no hopeless situation. And no situation is permanent. Our God is able to raise us up from the desperate situation we may find ourselves in. He is able to make a way where there is no way.

Let us pray therefore that the rising of our Lord Jesus Christ may dispel every darkness in our life. May the power of the resurrection roll up every stone that is a standing-block on your way to excellence and victory so that we may all give glory and honour to the Crucified and Risen Lord. Amen

PASCHAL TRIDUUM, GOOD FRIDAY

Isaiah 52:13—53:12

Psalm 30

Hebrews 4:14-16.5:7-9

John 18:1—19:42

Today is the second day of the Sacred Triduum. Apart from the ancient devotion of going through the stations of the cross that characterizes the day, today’s liturgy is made up of four parts, namely, the liturgy of the Word, the solemn general intercessions, the veneration of the cross and the liturgy of the Pre-sanctified or Holy Communion. The focus of today’s liturgy is the cross. In the days of Jesus, the cross was a sign of shame, curse, punishment, condemnation, torture, suffering and death. The imagery of a cross was something absurd and resentful. It pointed to anger and bitterness, hatred and violence.  

But Jesus changed the perspective of the cross. As the account of the Passion according to St John reveals to us, the Son of God was crucified and died for the redemption of mankind. The cross is therefore the sign of God's love for humanity. With Jesus, the cross becomes the symbol of friendship, redemption and glory. It is on the cross that the Son of God is glorified and draws all men to himself. As such, the cross is the emblem of victory instead of defeat, of life instead of death, of forgiveness instead of condemnation.

As the Suffering Servant, Jesus was thought of as someone accursed, punished by God. He was despised, rejected and humiliated, a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. However, ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried. His wounds brought us healing and wholeness (Is. 52:13—53:12). Through his Passion and death, he has become the source of salvation for mankind. He is the Eternal High Priest who never ceases to intercede for us. Because he had gone through suffering, he is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses, trials and sufferings (Heb. 4:14-16.5:7-9).  

On this day, therefore, we are invited to contemplate the mystery of the cross, which is the mystery of God’s infinite love for us. This contemplation must awaken in us a feeling of gratitude to the Lord, of regret for our sins which caused him such great suffering. We are also called to associate our own crosses, fears and sufferings with the sorrowful passion of Christ and find in him the source of our consolation, strength and hope. May the saving death of Christ on the cross sanctify and redeem us. Amen

PASCHAL TRIDUUM, HOLY THURSDAY

Exodus 12:1-8.11-1

Psalm 115

1Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-15

MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

Today's Mass in memory of the Last Super opens the "Pascal Triduum", a three day's journey that commemorates the events that led to our redemption: the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

The focal point of today's liturgy is the Upper Room, where Jesus took the last Super with his disciples. Three events are celebrated: 

- the giving of the new commandment of love, expressed in gestures of humble service, 

- the institution of the Eucharist as a symbol of his self giving and presence among us, 

- the institution of the priesthood to perpetuate this presence in the Church. That which holds these three mysteries together is Jesus' love for us: “knowing that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father, Jesus loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).

The first reading narrates the institution of the Jewish Passover, marked by the immolation of the lamb. The eating of the Passover lamb preceded the exodus event, that is, the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. The second reading explains the Eucharist as instituted by Jesus Christ himself during the super that preceded his Passion and death. Jesus’ act of self giving in the Eucharist demonstrates the fact that he saves us by offering himself as a sacrifice: “This is my body which is given up for you.”

Moreover, at the Last Super, Jesus stood among his disciples as one who serves. He washed his disciples' feet as a concrete example of serving one another. Such humility is an example for us to follow. Perhaps, today, we are not asked to die heroically for others even if this form of love is not lacking in our days. But what Jesus is asking us to do is to make small gestures of service, kindness, generosity and sacrifice. For it is in serving and loving that we find the joy of living. 

Today, we thank the Lord for this New Covenant sealed in the Blood of Jesus, source of our redemption. Let us also implore his mercy so that we may be delivered from this dramatic COVID-19 pandemic just as he delivered the Israelites from the Egyptian slavery. Finally, let us pray for the priests so that they become authentic ministers of the mystery entrusted to them and to carry out this ministry with love, sincerity, fidelity and holiness. Amen

PALM SUNDAY, YEAR A

Procession: Matthew 21:1-11

Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7; 

           Philippians 2:6-11;

           Matthew 26:14—27:66

               THE LAST DAYS OF JESUS ON EARTH

Today marks the beginning of the Holy Week. We are called upon to follow Jesus and live with him the last events of his earthly life. Unfortunately, the conditions imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible for us to participate in the liturgies that mark the Holy Week as we usually do.  Nevertheless, we accept with gratitude the will of God in these trying moments, knowing that everything that happens is good. Consequently, I invite you to be in communion with us priests as we celebrate these liturgies and implore God’s mercy on us all and on the whole world. 

In today’s liturgy, we normally commemorate the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem amid the jubilation and chants of Hosanna of the crowd. Jesus entered the holy city, where he would suffer, die, be buried and resurrect for our redemption (Matt. 21:1-11). The procession with palms celebrates, in its multiple aspects, the triumph and the victory of Jesus as the Son of David and the Messiah. Meanwhile the Mass readings evoke the hard and painful conditions of this victory. These include the persecutions endured like the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 50:4-7), his humility and his obedience until death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-11) and his sorrowful Passion (Matthew 26:14—27:66).

After listening to these readings, we cannot but ask ourselves some questions. How many times have we not betrayed those who trusted us? How often have we not turned back to humiliate the same people we had appreciated? How many times have we not been accomplice to the atrocities against some people and to the condemnation of the innocents? How many times have we not exchanged justice and our integrity with the fear of losing our friends or our position? How often do we not sacrifice others on the altars of our pride, selfish desires and shameful ambitions or out of jealousy? 

In any case, whether we are agents or victims of such acts, we must always remember that God will surely save the just and the innocent. He will not put them to shame. Moreover, during this Holy Week, let us not forget that Jesus went freely into Jerusalem to die for our redemption. By the merits of our Lord’s sorrowful Passion, may God hear our prayer and save us from the dreadful consequences of the Corona virus pandemic. Amen