FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B

Acts 4:8-12

Psalm 117

1 John 3:1-2

John 10:11-18

VOCATIONS SUNDAY/GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY 

The fourth Sunday of Easter, known as the “Good Shepherd Sunday”, is dedicated to the prayer for priestly and religious vocations. In today's Gospel, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd. He knows his sheep, freely gives his life for them, takes care of them, and defends them in case of danger. He is not like the hired man who cannot stand and defend the sheep. Jesus even goes in search of those who are not in the fold so that there may be only one flock and one Shepherd (John 10,11-18).

Praying for vocations, therefore, is asking the Lord to give us pastors according to his own heart, as he himself has promised (cf. Jer. 3,15). Because we need priests, men and women religious who are close to the people of God, understand them, and who are available to the faithful. The Church needs priests who bear witness to Christ with their lives and especially attract young people to follow Christ.

But it should be noted that vocations are not limited to the priesthood and religious life. Marriage is also a vocation. Spouses are therefore called to bear witness to Christ in marital life, to promote vocations and support young people in their journey to discover their vocation. Parents are to be role models for their children. Today, therefore, each of us is called to renew his yes to the Lord, to pray for young people so that they may discover the will of God in their lives.

Let us not forget that God has called us all to be his children, but what we will be has not yet been manifested (1 John 3,1-2). So, like pilgrims, we must be patient and persevering, especially in the face of hostilities and challenges. We live in a world that is becoming more and more hostile to the gospel; and living our various vocations in an authentic way is becoming more challenging, a form of “martyrdom”. But like Peter in the first reading, we need to be courageous in order to witness to Christ without fear or compromise, for in him alone is the salvation of our souls (Acts 4,8-12).

Through the intercession of Saint Joseph, may young people respond joyfully to God's call and make serving others in fidelity their life’s dream. 

Amen

3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR B

Acts 3:13-15.17-19

Psalm 4

1John 2:1-5

Luke 24:35-48

THE CHRISTIAN WITNESS!

Jesus of Nazareth, the Prince of Life, was put to death, but death could not overcome him. This way, today’s readings remind us that the paschal event (Jesus’ Passion, death and resurrection) was not an event by chance or an accident. Everything happened according to God’s loving and salvific plan. Everything happened as the fulfillment of Sacred Scriptures. Consequently, Christians of all times must preach and bear witness to this saving event that transformed the world.

Thus, in the first reading, Peter’s harsh words were not an indictment of the Jews for putting to death Jesus, the “Author of life”, but a bold invitation to the people for conversion. They had put the Prince of life to death out of ignorance, but God raised him from the dead (Acts 3:13-15.17-19). As such, Peter confidently calls them to repentance, knowing that, as the first Letter of John puts it, by virtue of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we now have an Advocate with the Father. His death is the expiation for our sins and those of the whole world (1John 2:1-5).

This witness of the Apostles is in accordance with the mandate they had received from the Risen Lord on the evening of the day of his resurrection, when he appeared to them. Three things are worth highlighting in this pericope. First, Jesus offered peace to his troubled and frightened disciples, and reassured them that he is the same who was dead but now is alive. Second, he made them understand the Scriptures which foretold his Passion, death and resurrection. Third, he gave them the mandate to be witnesses of his saving death and resurrection.

Indeed, Jesus died and rose from the dead for our sake, according to God’s eternal design. Like the disciples, we are called to be witnesses to this. But how can we proclaim Jesus if we do not have a personal relationship with him? How can we preach conversion to others if we ourselves are not converted? How can we preach peace and joy if we ourselves are unable to be joyful? How can we preach forgiveness of sins to others if we ourselves are incapable of forgiving our brothers and sisters? Let us therefore pray the Risen Lord to help us encounter him in a personal way so as to be bold witnesses of his death and resurrection. Amen

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 4:32-35

Ps 117:2-4,15-18, 22-24

1 John 5:1-6

John 20:19-31

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

On this second Sunday of Easter, declared “Divine Mercy Sunday” by Pope John Paul II in the year 2000, we celebrate God’s merciful love manifested to us through the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the mystery of our redemption is inseparable from the mystery of God’s mercy. Thus, in today’s gospel, the Risen Christ appears to his disciples and shows them the marks of his Passion, expression of God’s Mercy for mankind. 

In effect, the risen Lord appeared to the disciples behind their closed doors and helped them overcome their fear and anxiety. It was in the evening of the resurrection. Then, Jesus said to them: “Peace be with you”. Showing them the wounds, he entrusted them with a mission: “... As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Henceforth, they were to continue his mission, becoming ministers of God’s mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. To empower them for this task, he breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. On account of this encounter, the disciples were overwhelmed with joy. They were renewed, and their hope revived. 

As such, we may draw three important lessons from today’s liturgy. First, we are invited, like the disciples, to contemplate the sacred wounds of Jesus, which manifest God’s steadfast love, unconditional forgiveness and unfathomable mercy for each one of us. For the Divine Mercy is the source of peace and joy, forgiveness and consolation, reconciliation and renewal. 

Second, the appropriate response to God’s merciful love manifested in Christ is faith: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Like Thomas, we may have to go through moments of doubts and uncertainties, fears and anxieties; but we must know that faith is our powerful weapon to conquer the world and its challenges (cf. 1 John 5:1-6). 

Third, as baptized, we are sent to continue the mission of Christ in the world. Like the early believers, we are to bear witness to Christ’s resurrection, not only with words but also with deeds: sharing, compassion, forgiveness, generosity and works of mercy. Thus, we will be able to overcome our world marked by selfishness, individualism, division, desire to exploit others, etc. Let us pray the Risen Lord to renew us in his merciful love and make us his authentic witnesses. May he bless and keep all of us. 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 was 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, wickedness, unforgiveness and self-pity so as to make ourselves into completely new persons marked by sincerity, truth, and self-confidence (1Co 5:6-8). Let us show by our way of life that we are Easter people and bear witness to the Risen Lord. We must also share the light of the resurrection that dispels fear, discouragement, corruption, injustice, unforgiveness, falsehood, hypocrisy, wickedness, selfishness, etc. 

May the resurrection of Jesus bring us joy, hope, breakthrough and renewal in every sphere of our life. Amen

Happy Easter to you all!!!

PASCHAL TRIDUUM, HOLY SATURDAY

Genesis 1:1-2:2

Psalm 104

Exodus 14:15-15-1; Exodus 15

Ezekiel 36: 16-17a, 18-28; Psalm 42

Romans 6:3-11

Mark 16:1-7

THE EASTER VIGIL, THE NIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS

This day is the third day of the Sacred Triduum, which culminates in the Easter Vigil. Even if the covid protocols may modify it a little bit, the liturgy of the Easter Vigil is made up of four parts: the service of light, the liturgy of the Word, the liturgy of baptism, and the liturgy of the Eucharist. It is the celebration of the passage from death to life, from darkness to light.

The liturgy of the Word invites us to meditate on the Salvation History: how God has been so close to mankind since creation. It is interesting to note that 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” (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 (Ex. 12). 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; and it was at night that he rose from the dead, breaking the chains of death.

In this respect, one thing that Holy Saturday teaches us is that no matter how deep and how long the night is the day will surely come. Jesus himself had to go through the terrible experience of being in the tomb. Yes, he was crucified, died and was buried; but now he has risen!

This day therefore invites us to hope against all hope. For there is no hopeless situation, neither a situation so desperate that God cannot change. In fact, he always makes a way where there is no way. So, do not be afraid. Do not despair. Do not give up!

May the power of the Resurrection roll away every stone and obstacle that stands on your way. And may the rising of our Lord Jesus Christ dispel every darkness in our life and give us the grace to be true witnesses of the resurrection.

Amen

PASCHAL TRIDUUM, GOOD FRIDAY

Isaiah 52:13—53:12

Psalm 30

Hebrews 4:14-16.5:7-9

John 18:1—19:42

THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION

Today is the second day of the Sacred Triduum. Apart from the stations of the cross that characterizes the day, today’s liturgy is made up of four parts, namely, the liturgy of the Word which helps us understand the true meaning of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the prayer of the faithful, the veneration of the cross and the liturgy of the Holy Communion. The focus of today’s liturgy is the cross.

In Jewish understanding, the cross was the emblem of shame, curse, punishment, condemnation, torture, shame, suffering and death. The imagery of a cross was absurd and resentful. It pointed to anger and bitterness, hatred and violence. But Jesus changed the perspective of the cross. With Jesus, the cross has become the emblem of friendship, redemption and glory. It has become the symbol of triumph, life, forgiveness and reconciliation.

As the Suffering Servant, Jesus was thought of as someone accursed and punished by God. He was despised, rejected, humiliated, a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, and finally crucified. And yet, through his Passion and death, he has become the source of salvation, healing and wholeness for us all (Is. 52:13—53:12). Through his Passion and death, Jesus has become 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).  

Today, as we  contemplate the mystery of the cross, which is the mystery of God’s infinite love for us, let us reflect on the culture of death and violence, revenge and unforgiveness, that characterize our world today. Innocent people are unjustly condemned, jailed or killed. Innocent and vulnerable lives are lost through abortion and war. Out of our selfish ambitions, we sell others and destroy their reputation through backbiting and blackmails. The love for power has taken over the power of love. 

May the Lord forgive us! May he be the consolation and strength for those who are suffering. And may his saving death on the cross sanctify and redeem us. Amen