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

5TH SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A

Ezekiel 37:12-14

Romans 8:8-11

John 11:1-45

GOD HAS NOT ABANDONED US!

Our Easter celebration is close at hand. Thus, our first reading reminds us of God’s promise of liberation and restoration to the Israelites in exile. The gospel reading narrates the miracle of the raising of Lazarus through which Jesus reveals himself as the Lord of life. While St Paul in the second reading highlights our Christian participation in the victory of Christ over death thanks to the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. 

The context of Ezekiel’s prophecy is the vision of the dry bones, by which the prophet metaphorically describes the painful experience of the Babylonian exile. With the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of its Temple as well as the deportation in 586 BC, the people of Israel thought that God had abandoned them. Their hope was gone. They were like dry bones, lifeless corpses in the tomb. And yet, God promises them restoration. He will put his Spirit in them and they shall live. He will “open their grave”, raise them up and restore them on their land. 

In the gospel, Jesus miraculously gave life back to Lazarus who had been in the tomb for four days. The core statement of the story is when Jesus said to Martha: "I am the resurrection and the life." Indeed, Jesus has power to give life and raise the dead for the manifestation of God’s glory. But to see the glory of God, one must believe: "If you believe, you will see the glory of God," he said to Martha. 

In this perspective, today’s readings invite us to trust in God no matter what, for he is able to revive us, to open our graves and restore us. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great fear, panic, agony, distress and suffering in the whole world. Like the people of Israel in exile, some of us think that God has abandoned us. Others have lost hope. Still others like Martha and Mary are mourning the loss of their loved ones: “If you were here, my brother would not have died”, they seem to say in desperation. And yet, the Lord tells us: “Do not be afraid; I am with you!” May he grant us a firm and immovable faith so that we may remain steadfast and tranquil even in hopeless situations. Amen

4th Sunday Of Lent, Year A

1 Samuel 16:1b,6-7,10-13

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 91-41

THE AMAZING GRACE

The fourth Sunday of Lent is known as the “Laetare Sunday” or Sunday of rejoicing. On this Sunday, the liturgy invites us to rejoice as an anticipation of the Easter joy that awaits us. But how can we rejoice when the whole world is in agony and distress because of the COVID-19 or Coronavirus? How can we rejoice when thousands of people die every single day as a result of this deadly virus? How can we be joyful when millions of Catholics are deprived of the Eucharist which is the source and summit of our Christian life? How can we rejoice when the God we serve seems to be far away and indifferent to our sufferings and cries? 

Indeed, we may find thousands of reasons not to rejoice; and yet, the Word of God still invites us to joy because our true joy lies not in what happens around us but in our relationship with Jesus Christ, who was “sent” by the Father to be the “Light of the world.” The man born blind in the gospel passage was in total darkness. He was abandoned and lonely, begging before he could eat. But his encounter with Jesus changed his situation. As such, the words of Paul in the second reading are very appropriate in relation this man: "You were darkness once, but now you are light in the Lord.”

He could not be recognized by his own and the Pharisees because the healing power of the Lord brought a breakthrough in his life. He could now see the light and the beauty of nature. He could praise God and bear witness to this amazing grace he had received from Jesus the Messiah. Likewise, David could rejoice because God had favoured him beyond measure, beyond human understanding. Though a young boy and counted for nothing, he was chosen and anointed to be the future king of Israel. For God sees the heart and not appearances. His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts (cf. Is. 55:8). 

God is able to raise us from our nothingness and make his amazing works visible in us. When we feel desperate, lonely and abandoned, then he reveals his greatness and closeness. Thus, in these difficult and trying times, let us trust him and not give in to fear and panic. Let us be more connected to Jesus through prayer and prayerful reading of his Word. Let us find in him the source of our joy despite the challenging moments we are going through. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen