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. The focal point of today’s celebration is the empty tomb. The liturgy of the Easter Vigil is made up of four parts, namely, the service of night, 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. 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. It was at night that he led them dry-shod through the red sea (Ex. 14). It was at night that Jesus rose from the dead, breaking the chains of death.

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 for three days. Yes, he was crucified, died and was buried; but now he has risen.

This day therefore invites us to hope against all hope. There is no situation so desperate that God cannot change, for he always makes a way where there is no way. So, do not be afraid.

May the power of the  Resurrection roll away every stone or 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

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR B

Genesis 22:1-2.9-13.15-18
Psalm 115:10.15-19
Romans 8:31-34
Mark 9:2-10

THE WAY TO OUR TRANSFIGURATION

Usually, the transfiguration passage is proclaimed on the second Sunday of Lent. Situating this event in its context may be enlightening. It was preceded by two events. First, the exiting moment of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah (Mark 8:27-30). Second, the shocking prediction of Jesus’ sufferings, death and resurrection (Mark 8:31-33). Then comes the wonderful experience of the Transfiguration: “Rabbi, It is wonderful for us to be here…” said Peter (Mark 9:2-10). This event was to tell the disciples that the cross was not the end, but the way to Jesus' glorification.

The first reading narrates the trying moment of Abraham: God commands him to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. God had promised Abraham he would make him the father of a multitude of nations. He and his wife were beyond child-bearing age. Now they conceived miraculously a child. And behold, God demands this son to be sacrificed. But Abraham still trusts in God, even in the face of this apparently senseless, cruel, painful and terrible request of God (Gen. 22:1-2.9-13.15-18).

Indeed, following God can sometimes be horrible and terrifying. Other times, it may demand of us to make nonsensical and strange moves. But in the awful moments we may have to experience, the crosses we may have to bear, the pains and difficulties we may have to go through, the trying moments we may have to live, one thing is sure: God is leading us to glory. He is present with us. And the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that awaits us (cf Rom 8:18).

Yes, our faces may be disfigured because of pain and tears; but they will surely be transfigured if we encounter Jesus in prayer, in the celebration of the Mass, in the confessional, etc. So, “with God on our side who can be against us?” May he help us to focus on the crown instead of the cross.

Amen