Cycle B - Year II:  

29 April 2018: Fifth Sunday of Easter  

(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:

First Reading:        Acts 9:26-31

Second Reading:  1 John 3:18-24

Gospel:Please Read  John 15:1-8

"I am the vine, you are the branches!"

Can we survive without God?  Well, it is a question we can debate endlessly. But even with our boast that we have conquered the universe, when powerful wrath of nature strikes, man remains helpless in the face of destructive forces much greater and stronger than his humanity. Because when calamity strikes, either man-made or natural, we are all at God's mercy!

The message of this Sunday's liturgy reminds us that we are no superman, even in our own planet.

Our Lord uses the allegory of the vine and the branches to deliver a timely message to us all.

Let us put ourselves in the scene of the Gospel narrative to better appreciate the message. The land of Israel was covered with numerous vineyards during the time of Jesus. Thus, the image of the vine was a rich one for the Jews. So Jesus used this practical reality to catch the attention of His listeners to the message He wanted to convey.

A short lesson on planting vine: to make the vine fruitful, it needs the caring hand of the vinedresser by carefully pruning the vine so it can bear good fruit. Because vines characteristically have two kinds of branches --those which bear fruit and those which do not bear fruit. The secret is to carefully prune back the non-bearing branches in order for the vine to conserve its strength for the branches that bear the good fruit.

Thus, the growers of a vineyard took care of the healthy growth of the vines. When branches did not yield fruit, they were cut off and dried on the wall of the vineyard to be used later as fuel. 

Today's allegory has an intimate tune. Jesus is actually preparing His friends for the mission and reminds them that without Him they can do nothing.

Jesus uses the image of the vine to describe the kind of life He produces in those who are united with Him:

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." (Jn 15:5)

Thus, the central message of the Gospel is simple and clear: we need Christ as surely as a branch needs to remain on the vine. And we are either fruit bearing or non-fruit bearing. There is no in-between.  In other words, we must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes, and so from a Christian we look for a Christ-like behavior. We must do good; this is bearing fruit.

In sum, the Lord promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in Him and allow Him to purify us. For it is through our Lord Jesus that we are reconciled with the Father. We need God's grace and strength that we may do good and face the trials and suffering in this life.

Do we trust and believe in the Lord's abiding presence with us?

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam! 

Cycle B - Year II:

22 April 2018: Fourth Sunday of Easter

(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 4:8-12

Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-2

Gospel:Please Read John 10:11-18

Jesus, the Good Shepherd!

Great leaders inspire their people to reach higher, dream bigger, and achieve greater. Leaders provide inspiration. And if they inspire others to reach for the stars, they just might bring back the moon!

These are powerful words to describe a great leader.

On the fourth Sunday of the Easter season, the liturgy inspires us with the timely message about what a leader should be in the image of our Lord as the Good Shepherd. Of the many titles of Jesus, the most consoling and reassuring perhaps is that of the Good Shepherd.

It is the Lord Himself who claims that title (Jn 10:11) The image of the Good Shepherd effectively conveys His divine solicitude and concern for His people, and foster in them the spirit of trust and confidence.

Let us understand the significance of the Gospel narratives. Shepherding was the main occupation of people during the time of our Lord Jesus. Hence, the imagery of a "Good Shepherd" relates to the practical realities of the daily living of people at that time.

However, in our country shepherding may be alien to our consciousness because it is generally agriculture and farming that is the traditional livelihood of people. Nonetheless, we can reflect on the qualities of a good shepherd and the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep to remind us how to properly exercise authority and leadership.

A depiction of our Lord Jesus as a shepherd carrying a sheep on His shoulders summarizes well the shepherd's sacrifice. For he takes the sheep's burden as his own and spends himself in bring the sheep to safety and green pasture.

Thus, in a general sense "good shepherd" is an image that implies someone who gives caring, compassionate leadership. A good shepherd walks in front of the sheep and the sheep follow the shepherd freely; they are not driven or coerced.

So what can shepherding teach us about God and our relationship with Him?

The Scriptures describe God as the shepherd who brings security and peace to His people. Just as the shepherd keeps watch over his sheep and protects them from danger, so our Lord Jesus stands watch over His people and the Shepherd and Guardian of souls.

We can use the imagery of the Good Shepherd to guide us in choosing our leaders, too. We should support, and elect, only those leaders who by their own examples of caring, compassionate leadership, love and respect for human life can truly lead us to be a God-fearing nation.

The second point in our reflection speaks also about our Church leaders. This is timely as this year we proclaim the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons. Christ Himself gives a succinct definition of the Good Shepherd, and therefore of every priest: the Good Shepherd "lays down his life for the sheep." (Jn 10:11) Take note, he lays down his life. It is not just his possession, time, energy or talent, but in fact his very life. Thus, priestly service of Christ's flock cannot be a part-time job or piece-meal giving of one's self. It needs and demands total commitment. As the representative of the Good Shepherd Himself, a priest must possess the willingness, and even the instinct, to sacrifice for his people, when needed.

This Sunday is also World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Let us implore the Lord to send committed and dedicated "shepherds of souls" in His Church. Let us also pray for our political leaders, that they follow the good examples of the leadership of our Lord Himself, as the Good Shepherd.

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle B - Year II:

15 April 2018: Third Sunday of Easter

(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

Second Reading: 1 John 2:1-5a

Gospel:Please Read Luke 24:35-48

Witnessing the risen Christ!

The universal Church rejoiced as we celebrated Easter Sunday two weeks ago. The Lord is risen, we proclaim, Alleluia! In the Sundays of Easter, we will be hearing of Jesus' appearances to His disciples.

This Sunday's Gospel narrative is a continuation of the story of the two disciples who earlier encountered the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus. They were overjoyed of that experience and decided to return to Jerusalem to share their experience with the risen Christ with the rest of the disciples.

In the midst of their conversations, Jesus appears again, offering peace.

Something is worth noting in the way Jesus reveals Himself to His followers after His Resurrection. The risen Christ usually made Himself known to His disciples when they were gathered together as a group or community. There is a message that Jesus wants to convey in this. Easter is a good season for us to realize that followers of Jesus are called as a community of believers, the new People of God or the new Church.

Going back to the Gospel narrative in this appearance of Jesus to His disciples, He commissioned them to be witnesses to what God has dome to His people through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and opened their minds to understand fully the Scriptures in the context of Jesus' Paschal Mystery.

That means, everything that Jesus Christ said and did during His public ministry pointed to the Paschal Mystery, meaning His passion, death and resurrection. Every miraculous healing, every powerful sermon,, and every life-changing encounter with our Lord Jesus was in fact pointing to and drawing power from these saving events. Jesus conquered sin and death by offering His life on the cross in complete obedient to the Father and rising again on the third day.

Thus, our Lord won victory in the most important war that we all face as humans, achieving forgiveness from the Father, reconciling us to God, and restoring us to a life of grace.

What do we make of the Gospel reading for this Sunday? How does it impact on us today?

Well, we are the new Easter people of our generation. It means, we, too are sent to preach the Good News of the Easter event in our world today. St. Peter makes it clear in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles that the crucial role of an apostle, and so every Christians in our own generation is precisely to bear witness to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Thus, the Easter event is our "commissioning" to also become witnesses of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to all who live on the face of the earth. And we should not be afraid to do that, because the risen Lord has shown us the way and gives us the power to overcome sin, despair, and even death.

In practical life, do we become witnesses of the joy of the Gospel to those around us? Do we live our lives like Easter or liberated people, who reconciled one more with our heavenly Father through the sacrificial death of Jesus and His resurrection on Easter?

So let us pray: Lord Jesus, open our minds, too, to be able to understand the fullness of the Scriptures, so that we may comprehend the truth of Your word. Anoint us with power to be Your witnesses to all nations, even at the expense of our very own lives.Amen.

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle B - Year II:  

8 April 2018: Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) 

(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:

First Reading:        Acts 4:32-35

Second Reading:  1 John 5:1-6

Gospel:Please Read  John 20:19-31

Believe in your heart!

Do you remember this famous quote from Helen Keller: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt by the heart."? Helen Keller is a well-known American author who was blind.

Indeed, there are realities in our world that can only be felt by the heart. But others also say that "to see is to believe."

Let us reflect on these interesting quotes to connect us to the Gospel passage for the second Sunday of Easter.

We recall that on Easter Sunday the universal Church proclaimed the Lord is risen! But in those times, He has yet to appear to the disciples who kept themselves locked up in a room after Jesus's death for fear of the Jews.

As the story goes, Simon Peter, John and Mary of Magdala, who were the first to witness the empty tomb, told the rest of the disciples that there was no dead body of Jesus in the tomb where they laid Him, but the burial cloths were there. Perhaps, the disciples were thinking that if indeed Jesus is risen, all the more the disciples were afraid because they realized that they were cowardly during the passion and death of their Master.

And so it happened, "when the doors were locked, where the disciples were", the risen Lord appears for the first time to the disciples and greets them, "Peace be with you."

Now, take note that the Lord's first words to the disciples are a declaration of forgiveness, peace and mercy, even before they 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 to the group. So the next time Thomas was with the group, the rest of the disciples shared their experience with the risen Christ, but Thomas refused to believe and said, "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 passed, and the risen Lord appeared again, and Thomas was with the disciple this time. Then Jesus allowed him to put his finger in Jesus' wounds, and Thomas saw and believed. Jesus said to Thomas, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not see and have believed. (Jn 20:29)

What then is the message of the Gospel narratives for us today?

Well, we, too, are often fearful to face the risen Lord in our lives. Because 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. Or perhaps we spend so much time focusing on our sins and failures, and not enough on God's mercy and compassion.

This Sunday's liturgy assures us that God's mercy precedes our sins, precisely because of the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ. This means that we are forgiven long before we even think of committing sins. But we must repent and ask for forgiveness. God only awaits for us to claim the mercy already prepared for us through the saving work of Jesus Christ.

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.

As a parting thought, do you ever wonder why the Lord Jesus Christ keep His wounds in His glorified body?  Could He not just wipe out all the marks of His passion and suffering in His glorified body, since He is God?

Some great theologians have the following answers:

(a)  The wounds are there because they proclaim the glory and victory of Christ.

(b)  The wounds of our Lord also serve to confirm the disciples in their faith and hope in the resurrection, and so gave them the courage to suffer for our Lord, as they in fact suffered for Him.

(c)  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.

Finally, the second Sunday of Easter is also Divine Mercy Sunday, promoted by Sister Faustina Kowalska. Let us, therefore, claim our own share of God's divine mercy as we face, with confidence in divine goodness, whatever difficulties we encounter in our worldly journey to the Father's house.

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Cycle B - Year II: 1 April 2018: Easter Sunday
(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:
First Reading: Acts 10;34, 37-43
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4

Gospel:Please Read John 20:1-9

The Lord is risen!

All Masses today in the entire universal Church start with the presiding priest joyfully greeting the congregation with this great news: The Lord is risen. Alleluia!

Indeed today is a great day of celebration as we proclaim the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead!

From the Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday, our joy shines forth when the very first Mass of Easter begins with the joyful singing of the Gloria and the triumphant ringing of bells.

The evangelist John brings us the Good News on Easter Sunday. The gist of the 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 believed that the Lord is risen, even when they did not yet fully understand what is written in the Scriptures that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

And so, the Resurrection of Jesus is the very cornerstone of our Christian faith. Because 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 meaningless.

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

From the time of the first apostles to our generation, we too believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed risen. Alleluia! Alleluia! To this day, in every Eucharistic celebration at Mass we share in Jesus' Paschal Mystery, meaning to say, in our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection. Because we encounter the risen Christ again in the Holy Eucharist. Thus, Easter invites us to be witnesses to the whole world that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead!

What then is the significance of the Easter event to all of us today? Does everything end with the resurrection story?

Well, it does not and should not. Because we do not close the story of Jesus' Resurrection. We continue to re-live this event whenever we do the acts of Jesus, meaning our Lord's acts of kindness, humility, self-sacrifice, and service to others. Because by these very Christian acts we continuously perpetuate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus in our lives today.

In other words, whenever we do good to others we also impart Jesus and we tell them that Jesus is truly alive today, that our Lord Jesus is ready to help them and lift them from their sickness, loneliness and weariness, and restore back our dignity as God's children.

So let us pray, that the power of the Lord's Resurrection transform us into liberated and joyful people through our authentic Christian living, repentant yet full of hope and happiness.

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

Reflection for Holy Week.... (First of three parts)

Holy Thursday - The Paschal Triduum

Holy Week:

The Catholic Church celebrates during the Holy Week the mysteries of salvation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ in the last days of His earthly life. It began last Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, commemorating our Lord's messianic entry into Jerusalem, until His blessed Passion and glorious Resurrection.

The weekdays of March 26-31 are dedicated to the celebration of penance. The faithful are also encouraged to reflect more deeply on the Passion of our Lord.

The Paschal Triduum:

The last three days of Holy Week are called the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday.

The Sacred Paschal Triduum is the three most solemn days of the liturgical year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. These most holy days celebrate the Paschal Mystery, first, the passion, suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, followed by his resurrection the triumph of the holy cross, and Christ's decisive victory over sin and death.

The Triduum is a single feast, the Paschal Mystery, although celebrated over three days and these are the three holiest days of the entire liturgical year.

Holy Thursday (March 29) - Day 1

In the morning of Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday), the Chrism Mass is celebrated by
the bishop with his priest in the diocese to signify the close unity of the priests with him. During this Mass the bishop consecrates the Chrism (consecrated oil used in baptism and other sacraments) and other oils. (When it is not practicable, the Mass of Chrism may also be transferred to an earlier day within the Holy Week, if it is difficult, for example, for the priests and the people to celebrate Mass with the Bishop on Holy Thursday morning.

In the afternoon of Holy Thursday we celebrate the the Last Supper, at which Jesus instituted the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

During the afternoon Mass, the reenactment of the washing of the feet of the twelve disciples is done by the priest celebrant. The group of men (or sometimes with women) whose feet are to be washed should, as much as possible, represent a cross-section of the local community. The number is traditionally twelve, though there is no exact requirement.

At the Offertory part of the Mass the faithful are encouraged to offer gifts in cash or in kind for the needed members of the community. It is an opportunity to share material blessings with them as a concrete witnessing of Jesus' humility and love for us, especially the poor and the needy.

After distribution of Communion, the ciborium with Hosts for Communion on the following day (Good Friday) is left on the altar. Following the prayer after Communion, the transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose takes place. It is not allowed to expose the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance or even in a ciborium. The Blessed Sacrament is reposed. Also, it is not allowed to repose the Blessed Sacrament outside the Church.

When the celebration of the afternoon Mass has ended, the altar is stripped privately. That means any crosses be covered with red or purple veil. Even lamps should not be lit before images of saints.

Also, the organ music is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil, as well as bells and other instruments; the only music permitted during this period is unaccompanied chant.

The faithful are encouraged to do the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the night, just as the disciples stayed with the Lord during His agony on the Mount of Olives before the betrayal of Judas.

For Filipino Catholics, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is done through the traditional "Visita Iglesia" by families or with group of friends or relatives.

The Liturgical celebration on Holy Thursday, from the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a blessed opportunity for us to reflect on the practical meaning of the Eucharist in our lives, given the powerful symbolism of footwashing which our Lord Jesus Christ did to His apostles. Thus, the Holy Eucharist should inspire us to serve others as well for our Lord's sake.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

During Holy Week, especially in the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday, we hear popular Latin hymns traditionally sang in Churches with their beautiful melodies. Do you ever wonder what is the English translation?

Let's find out.

Tantum Ergo

Tantum ergo Sacramentum
Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque
Laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque
Compar sit laudatio.
Amen.

V. Panem de caelo praestitisti eis.
R. Omne delectamentum in se habentem..

Oremus: Deus, qui nobis sub sacramento mirabili, passionis tuae memoriam reliquisti: tribue, quaesumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra mysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tuae fructum in nobis iugiter sentiamus. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.

R. Amen.

English Translation:

Down in adoration falling
Lo! The sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying
Where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.

Amen.

R. Thou hast given them bread from heaven.
V. Having within it all sweetness.

Let us pray: O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant, we implore Thee, that we may so venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, as always to be conscious of the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever.

R. Amen.

O Salutaris Hostia

O Salutaris Hostia
Quae caeli pandis ostium:
Bella premunt hostilia,
Da robur, fer auxilium.

Uni trinoque Domino
Sit sempiterna gloria,
Qui vitam sine termino
Nobis donet in patria.
Amen.

English Translation:

O saving Victim, opening wide
The gate of heaven to all us below:
Our foes press on from every side;
Thine aid supply; Thy strength bestow.

To Thy great Name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead, One in Three!
O, grant us endless length of days
With Thee in our true country.
Amen..