Cycle C - Year II:

3 April 2016: Second Sunday of Easter

(Liturgical color: White)

Gospel: Please read John 20:19-31

Believe in your heart!

Our human experience tells us that life most beautiful things are not seen by the eyes but felt by the heart, sometimes.

Let us use these wise words to connect us to the Gospel message for the second Sunday of Easter.

Last Easter Sunday the universal Church proclaimed that the Lord is risen! But in those times, He has yet to appear to the disciples, who kept themselves locked up in a room for fear of the Jews.

From the testimonies of Simon Peter, John and Mary of Magdala, the rest of the disciples were told that there was no dead body of Jesus in the tomb where they laid Him, but that the burial cloths were there. If indeed Jesus is risen, all the more they were afraid because they realized that they were cowardly during the passion and death of their Master.

In this Sunday's Gospel, "when the doors were locked, where the disciles were", the risen Lord appears for the first time to the disciples and greets them, "Peace with you." The Lord's first words to the disciples are a declaration of forgiveness, peace, and mercy, even before the disciples could even ask for forgiveness for their unfaithfulness and cowardice.

But one of the original twelve disciples, Thomas was his name, was not with them when the risen Lord first appeared. The rest of the disciples shared their experience with the risen Christ, but Thomas refused to believe and said instead, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." (Jn 20:25)

A week later the risen Lord appeared again, and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus allowed Thomas to put his finger in Jesus' wounds, and he saw and believed. Jesus said to Thomas: "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." (Jn 20:29)

Now we ask, "What is the message of the Gospel narrative for us today?"

Well, we too are often fearful to face the risen Lord. Perhaps, it is because we spend so much time focusing on our sins and failures, and not enough on God's mercy and compassion. Or, sometimes we feel like the doubting Thomas in the Gospel --our faith is not strong enough to withstand suffering, trials and evils in our world. That is why, like Thomas, we demand clear signs of Jesus' victory over death and sin.

The Good News this Sunday is that God's mercy precedes our sins, precisely because of the saving work of Jesus. This means that we are forgiven long before we even think of committing sins. God only waits for us to claim the mercy already prepared for us through the saving work of Jesus.

In the Holy Eucharist at Mass, let us pray that like Thomas, may the risen Christ open our eyes to the power of the Resurrection and transform our doubts and fear into confident faith and boundless joy.

Also, it is a mystery of faith that when Christ rose from the dead He retained the five wounds in His glorious body. Do you ever wonder why the Lord chose to keep His wounds in His glorified body?

Let us consider the following reflections by some great theologians: The wounds are there because because they proclaim the glory and victory of Christ. The wounds of our Lord also serve to confirm the disciples in their faith and hope in the resurrection, and so give them the courage to suffer for our Lord, as they did. And the five wounds of Jesus are there so that He may constantly present them to the Father in heaven in supplication in our behalf.... when we fall back to sin.

This second Sunday of Easter, the Church traditionally also celebrates the Divine Mercy Sunday, promoted by Sister Faustina Kowalska. Let us claim our own share of God's divine mercy, especially this Holy Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, from December 8, 2015 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception) until November 20, 2016 (Solemnity of Christ, the King). During this extra-ordinary period of God's mercy, let us experience His mercy over us as we too are asked byour Lord, "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Lk 6:36)

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle C - Year II:  

27 March 2016: Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection

(Liturgical color: White)

Gospel: Please read  John 20:1-9

The Lord is risen!

On Easter Sunday the Universal Church declares: Jesus our Lord is risen! Alleluia! Let us rejoice with the Psalmist with shouts of joy: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!" (Ps 118) For today we proclaim the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead.

The 40 days of Lenten journey was our preparation for this great day, with penance, fasting, and confessions. But now it is time to celebrate the risen Christ. The sanctuary, no longer barren, is filled with the festive color of flowers in full bloom. He is risen!

The evangelist John brings the Good News this Sunday. The gist of his Gospel narratives:

When Mary of Magdala came to visit the tomb of Jesus early morning

on the third day, she saw the stone cover already removed from the entrance of the tomb, and the tomb empty. Hurriedly she went back to the other disciples and reported what she saw. Simon Peter and John went with Mary again to the empty tomb. They saw the burial clothes there, and the cloth that covered Jesus' head neatly rolled up in a separate place. They saw and believed that the Lord is risen, even when they did not yet understand what is written in the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

By the account and personal testimonies of his closest disciples, Jesus is risen and wins over sin and death for all of us.  The Resurrection of Jesus is the very cornerstone of our Christian faith. For if Jesus did not rise to redeem us from sin, then everything we did during the Holy Week, and everything we do now, is going to be all meaningless.

In the Catholic faith, Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. That is why it is called the greatest feast (festum festorum). The  Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a concrete and historical event which is the strength and foundation of Christianity. It is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfillment of our faith as Christians.

In our time, we believe that the Lord is indeed risen! Alleluia! Alleluiah! That is why in every Eucharistic celebration of the Mass we share in Jesus' Paschal Mystery, meaning to say, in our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection. In other words, we truly encounter the risen Christ in the Holy Eucharist at Mass.

Easter invites us to be witnesses to the world that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead. But to behold the Resurrection, the stone of disbelief must first be rolled away from our heart, just like the massive stone covering the entrance to our Lord's burial place, which was rolled away on the first Easter to testify that the Lord is indeed risen.

We do our personal witnessing of the Lord's Resurrection through our authentic Christian living. That is to say,  we must live like liberated and joyful people in every situation of our life from here on, repentant yet full of hope and happiness. For united with our risen Lord, we become children again of our loving Father in heaven.

Happy Easter Sunday to all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle C - Year II:

27 March 2016: Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection

(Liturgical color: White)

Gospel: Please read John 20:1-9

The Lord is risen!

On Easter Sunday the Universal Church declares: Jesus our Lord is risen! Alleluia! Let us rejoice with the Psalmist with shouts of joy: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!" (Ps 118) For today we proclaim the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead.

The 40 days of Lenten journey was our preparation for this great day, with penance, fasting, and confessions. But now it is time to celebrate the risen Christ. The sanctuary, no longer barren, is filled with the festive color of flowers in full bloom. He is risen!

The evangelist John brings the Good News this Sunday. The gist of his Gospel narratives:

When Mary of Magdala came to visit the tomb of Jesus early morning on the third day, she saw the stone cover already removed from the entrance of the tomb, and the tomb empty. Hurriedly she went back to the other disciples and reported what she saw. Simon Peter and John went with Mary again to the empty tomb. They saw the burial clothes there, and the cloth that covered Jesus' head neatly rolled up in a separate place. They saw and believed that the Lord is risen, even when they did not yet understand what is written in the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

By the account and personal testimonies of his closest disciples, Jesus is risen and wins over sin and

deal for all of us. The Resurrection of Jesus is the very cornerstone of our Christian faith. For if Jesus did not rise to redeem us from sin, then everything we did during the Holy Week, and everything we do now, is going to be all meaningless.

In the Catholic faith, Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. That is why it is called the greatest feast (festum festorum). The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a concrete and historical event which is the strength and foundation of Christianity. It is a day of celebration because it represents the fulfillment of our faith as Christians.

In our time, we believe that the Lord is indeed risen! Alleluia! Alleluiah! That is why in every Eucharistic celebration of the Mass we share in Jesus' Paschal Mystery, meaning to say, in our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection. In other words, we truly encounter the risen Christ in the Holy Eucharist at Mass.

Easter invites us to be witnesses to the world that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead. But to behold the Resurrection, the stone of disbelief must first be rolled away from our heart, just like the massive stone covering the entrance to our Lord's burial place, which was rolled away on the first Easter to testify that the Lord is indeed risen.

We do our personal witnessing of the Lord's Resurrection through our authentic Christian living. That is to say, we must live like liberated and joyful people in every situation of our life from here on, repentant yet full of hope and happiness. For united with our risen Lord, we become children again of our loving Father in heaven.

Happy Easter Sunday to all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle C - Year II:

20 March 2016: Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

(Liturgical color: Red)

Gospel: Please read - Part 1: Luke 19:28-40

- Part 2: Luke 23:1-49

A journey of love!

Our Lenten journey is almost done. Today we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, the day on which the Church enters upon the mystery of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ through the triumphal procession of Christ as King and the proclamation of His passion.

In the Church's liturgy, Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion marks our entry into the holiest season of Holy Week, the days during which we continue our journey with Jesus on His way of the cross and anticipate His resurrection on Easter.

The color of the altar cloth and the vestments of the priest changes to Red.

Today's liturgy has two Gospel proclamations from St. Luke. The people gather in a suitable place outside the main church, or chapel, for the blessing of palm branches. After the blessing and before the Mass proper, the first Gospel proclamation is read, which is about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

The second Gospel proclamation is during the Mass, which narrates the passion and death of Jesus. We are invited to reflect on both these Gospel proclamations.

Palm Sunday: (Lk 19:28-40) Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem amidst the shouts and rejoicing of the people. "As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; .... They proclaimed: 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.'"

Jesus' entry into Jerusalem astride a cold was a direct fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah (9:9) "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem. Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, and riding on an ass and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Reflection on the first Gospel proclamation: Despite the imminent danger, going to Jerusalem is a decisive step in completing Jesus' mission as He makes final preparation for His journey to Calvary. Amidst the shouts and welcome of the crowd, Jesus sees beyond their noise His suffering, torture and death on the cross of our salvation. Yet He submits completely to the will of the Father.

In practical life, we, too, are called to enter into our own "Jerusalem" even as we are challenged to surrender ourselves completely to the will of our heavenly Father. Sometimes, or often times perhaps, we may not always understand; yet we cannot waiver in our faith. We must trust God as our loving Father who cannot, and will not, forsake us. This Palm Sunday let us welcome Jesus, our King, into the "Jerusalem" of our hearts.

The Passion and Death of Jesus: (Lk 23:1-49) In the second Gospel proclamation, the crowd in Jerusalem shouts a different tune as Jesus is brought before Pilate: "Crucify him! Crucify him!" And so

the road to Calvary is sealed for Jesus; He is crucified and died on the cross. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem ended in a journey of love to Calvary, as Jesus gives up His very life to redeem us from sin.

Reflection on the second Gospel proclamation: During this coming Holy Week, let us meditate more intently on the passion and death of our Lord Jesus. Indeed, God so loves us to give up His only Son to die in order to save us from eternal punishment. There is no greater love than this: by His suffering, death and resurrection our Lord Jesus Christ has bridged the gap between God and man. With all faith and devotion let us follow our Lord to Calvary, so that as we partake of the cross we may also have a share in His resurrection and life eternal in heaven.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, in Your tender love for the human race You sent Your only Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon Him our human nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of His great humility. Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of His suffering, and also share in His resurrection, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!