Readings and Reflection for April 2 Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

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Readings and Reflection for April 2 Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

FIRST READING
“He was wounded for our transgressions.” Fourth song of the Servant of the Lord
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 52: 13-53: 12)

Behold, my servant shall prosper,  he  shall  be  exalted  and  lifted up,  and  shall be very  high. As  many  were astonished at him his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the sons of men — so shall he startle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they shall see, and that which they have not heard they shall understand. Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or comeliness that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgement he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; he shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 31:2 and 6.12-13.15- 16.17 and 25 (R. Lk 23:46b)
R/. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!

In you, O Lord, I take refuge.
Let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, set me free.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. R.

Because of all my foes
I have become a reproach,
an object of scorn to my neighbours
and of fear to my friends.
Those who see me in the street flee from me.
I am forgotten, like someone dead,
and have become like a broken vessel. R.

R/. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!

But as for me, I trust in you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my God.
My lot is in your hands, deliver me
from the hands of my enemies and those who pursue me.” R.

“Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your merciful love.”
Be strong, let your heart take courage,
all who hope in the Lord. R.

SECOND READING          
“He learned obedience and became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5 :7-9)

Brethren: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

The word of the Lord.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Philippians 2:8b.9
Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (John 18: I-19:42)
In the following Passion narrative: N. = narrator, + = Christ, S. = speakers other than Christ.


N. At that time: Jesus went forth with his disciples across the Kidron valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, procuring a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was to befall him, came forward and said to them.

C. “Whom do you seek?”

N They answered him,

S “Jesus of Nazareth.”

N. Jesus said to them,

C. “I am he.”

N. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When he said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them,

C. “Whom do you seek?”

N.  And they said,

S.  “Jesus of Nazareth.”

N.  Jesus answered,

C.   “I told you that I am he; so if you seek me, let these men go.”

N. This was to fulfil the word which he had spoken, “Of those whom you gave me I lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter,

C. “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the chalice which the Father has given me?”

N. So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him. First they led him to Annas; for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jew that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus, while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in. The maid who kept the door said to Peter,

N. “Are not you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said,

S. “I am not.”

N. Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.  Jesus answered him,

C. “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together; I have said nothing secretly. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me, what I said to them; they know what I said.”

N. When he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying,

S. “Is that how you answer the high priest?”

N. Jesus answered him,

C. “If I have spoken wrongly, bear witness to the wrong; but if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?”

N. Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him,

S. “Are not you also one of his disciples?”

N. He denied it and said,

S. “I am not.”

N. One of the servants of the high priest, a kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked,

S. “Did I not see you in the garden with him?”

N. Peter again denied it; and at once the cock crowed.

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the praetorium. It was early. They themselves did not enter the praetorium, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.  So Pilate went out to them and said;

S. “What accusation do you bring against this man?”

N. They answered him,

S. “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over.”

N. Pilate said to them,

S. “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”

N. The Jews said to him,

S. “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.”

N. This was to fulfil the word which Jesus had spoken to show by what death he was to die. Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him,

S. “Are you the King of the Jews?”

N. Jesus answered,

C. “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?”

N Pilate answered,

S. “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me; what have you done?”

N. Jesus answered,

C. “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.”

N. Pilate said to him,

S. “So you are a king?”

N. Jesus answered,

C. “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.”

N.  Pilate said to him,

S.   “What is truth?”

N.   After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again, and told them,

S. “I find no crime in him. But you have a custom that I should release one wan for you at the Passover; will you have me release for you the King of the Jews?”

N. They cried out again,

S. “Not this man, but Barabbas!

N. Now Barabbas was a robber.

Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers plaited  a crown  of thorns,  and put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe; they came up to him, saying,

S.  “Hail, King of the Jews !”

N. and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again, and said to them,

S. “Behold, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him.”

N. So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.
Pilate said to them,

S. “Here is the man!”

N. When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out,

S. “Crucify him, crucify him!”

N. Pilate said to them,

S. “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no crime in him.”

N. The Jews answered him,

S. “We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he has made himself the Son of God.”

N. When Pilate heard these words, he was even more afraid; he entered the praetorium again and said to Jesus,

S. “Where are you from?”

N. But Jesus gave no answer. Pilate therefore said to him,

S. “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?”

N. Jesus answered him,

C. “You would have no power over mc unless it had been given you from above; therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin.”

N. Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out,

S. “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend; every one who makes himself a king sets himself against Caesar.” N When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgement seat at a place called The Pavement, and in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews,

S. “Here is your King!”

N. They cried out,

S. “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!”

N. Pilate said to them,

S. “Shall I crucify your King?”

N.   The chief priests answered,

S.   “We have no king but Caesar.”

N. Then he handed him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and ha weht out, bearing his own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the cross; it read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate,

S. “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.”’

N.   Pilate answered,

S.    “What I have written I have written.”

N. When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another,

S. “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfil the Scripture, “They parted my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did this. But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother,

C. “Woman, behold, your son!”

N. Then he said to the disciple,

C. “Behold, your mother!”

N. And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture),

C. “I thirst.”

N. A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said,

C. “It is finished;”

N. and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

All kneel and pause for a moment in prayer.

Since it was the day of Preparation, in order to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high da), the Jew asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘’Not a bone of him shall be broken.’ And again another Scripture says, ‘They shall look on him whom they have pierced.’ After this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Today’s Reflection
The Servant of God in Isaiah’s prophecy would suffer untold persecution and death, although he had done no wrong himself to deserve such treatment. His suffering would be a vicarious one for others. When Jesus was tried, tortured and crucified, he did not suffer and die in vain. His suffering was for sinful humanity, who should have suffered and died for their transgressions. It pleased God that his own Son, like the Suffering Servant, should suffer and die in place of humanity. Thanks to the suffering and death of the Son of God, humanity has been spared. He won salvation for us by this suffering and death. He is the throne of grace for anyone who draws near to him. Such a person will receive mercy and grace in time of need. He will receive salvation, and never see death.

Readings and Reflection for April 1 Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

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Readings and Reflection for April 1 Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

FIRST READING
The law for the Passover meal.
A reading from the Book of Exodus (Exodus 12:1-8. 11-14)

In those days: The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for   a household; and if the household is too small for a lamb, then a man and his neighbour next to his house shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old; you shall take it from the sheep or from the goats; and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening. Then they shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. “In this manner you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM   Psalm 116: 12- 13. 15 and 16bc. 17- 18 (R. ct. I Corinthians 10:16)
R/. The cup of blessing is a participation in the blood of Christ.

How can I repay the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
The cup of salvation I will raise;
I will call on the name of the Lord. R/.

How precious in the eyes of the Lord
is the death of his faithful.
Your servant am I, the son of your handmaid;
you  have loosened  my bonds. R/.

A thanksgiving sacrifice I make;
I will call on the name of the Lord.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfil
before all his people. R/.

SECOND READING          
“As often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Brethren: I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the chalice, after supper, saying, “This chalice is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the chalice, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

The word of the Lord.



VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL John 13:34
Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
A new commandment I give to you, says the Lord, that you love one another even as I have loved you. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL
“He loved them to the end”      
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 13: 1-15)

Before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “You are not all clean.” When he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The English word ‘Moundy’ comes from the Latin mandatum which means ‘command’. And the reason why Moundy Thursday is called it because the Church celebrates this as the day on which Jesus gives His love command. What Jesus is in effect doing is summarizing His entire life.  In bending down to wash the feet of the disciples in John13:1-13, Jesus brings together all that He was, all that He is doing. And so, on this Moundy Thursday, we are called, through this event of the washing of the feet to ask ourselves some serious questions, the first of these is, “Is there a separation between my being and my doing;  Do I expect something in return for my love? Is my relationship with people a matter of “You give me, I give you”?  Is it a matter of how much I can get out of this person, rather than how much I can give? Even as Jesus washes the feet of Judas and Peter, He is loving, forgiving and accepting them. This is true meaning of forgiveness, it is the true meaning of love, it is the true meaning of Maundy Thursday.

Mass Schedule For 2021 Easter Celebration

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Mass Schedule For 2021 Easter Celebration

Thursday April 1, 2021
Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 6 PM

Friday April 2, 2021 Good Friday

Stations of the Cross – 2 PM

Service of the Lord’s Passion – 3 PM

Saturday April 3, 2021
Easter Vigil 7:30 PM

Sunday April 4, 2021 Easter Sunday (Solemnity)

Normal Sunday Mas Schedule

Easter Monday to Easter Saturday – 7 AM

Readings and Reflection for March 31 Wednesday of Holy Week

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Readings and Reflection for March 31 Wednesday of Holy Week

FIRST READING
“I hid not my face from shame and spitting” (Third song of the servant of the Lord)
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 50:4-9a)

The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 69:8-10.21-22.31 and 33-34 (R. 14c, b)
R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O God,

For a time of your favour.
It is for you that I suffer taunts,
that shame has covered my face.
To my own kin I have become an outcast,
a stranger to the children of my mother.
 Zeal for your house consumes me,
and taunts against you fall on me. R/.

Taunts have broken my heart;
here I am in anguish.
I looked for solace, but there was none;
for consolers — not one could I find.
For food they gave me gall;
in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. R/.

R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O God,

Then I will praise God’s name with a song;
I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
The poor when they see it will be glad,
and God-seeking hearts will revive;
for the Lord listens to the needy,
and does not spurn his own in their chains. R/.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Hail, our King: you alone have had mercy on our failings! Glory and praise to you, O Christ.


Or the following:
Hail, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to crucifixion like a meek lamb to the slaughter.


GOSPEL
“The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 26: 14-25)

At that time: One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to such a one, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’ And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Is it I, Master?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Isaiah’s Servant of God was subjected to suffering and humiliation unfairly. He had done no wrong that deserved such treatment. But he bore it all without bitterness, without retaliation. He was able to do that because God was with him all the time, giving him strength to endure his trials. Jesus was that Servant of God that Isaiah prophesied. One of his greatest pains must have been the knowledge that one of his own companions, one of the twelve whom he had been grooming to become Apostles, was planning to hand him over to his enemies. But, the Servant of God that he was, knew that his Father would see him through his trials and tribulations. God has continued to do that for his faithful and loyal servants.

Readings and Reflection for March 30 Tuesday of Holy Week

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Readings and Reflection for March 30 Tuesday of Holy Week

FIRST READING
“I will give you as a light to the matrons, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Second song of the servant of the Lord)
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 49: 1-6)

Listen to me, O Islands, and pay attention, you people’s from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me away. And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.” And now the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength — he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 71: 1-2.3-4a.5-6ab.15ab and 17 (R. see 15ab)
R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

In you, O Lord, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your justice, rescue me, free me;
 incline your ear to me and save me. R.

Be my rock, my constant refuge,
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
My God, free me from the hand of the wicked. R.

R/. My mouth will tell of your salvation, Lord.

It is you, O Lord, who are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
On you I have leaned from my birth;
from my mother’s womb, you have been my help. R.

My mouth will tell of your justice,
and all the day long of your salvation.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and I proclaim your wonders still. R.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Hail, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to crucifixion like a meek lamb to the slaughter. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL               
“One of you will betray me. The cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 13:21 – 33.36-38)

At that time: [Jesus, reclining with his disciples,] was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.” So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.  When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come. ”’ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
Jesus had twelve companions, carefully chosen, after a long night of prayer (Luke 6:12). For three years, he formed them to become Apostles, men who would continue his mission after him, only for one of them to go and “sell” him to his enemies for thirty pieces of silver. Even when Jesus gave him a chance to withdraw from his evil intent by revealing that he knew what Judas was planning, he did not take it. Another one was a loud mouth. He boasted that he would lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus predicted correctly that he would do not such thing. Indeed, before daybreak the next morning, he would have denied him three times. If the friends of Jesus could do that to him, should it be any surprise if some of our friends of Jesus could do that to him, should it be any surprise if some of our friends do the same to us?

Readings and Reflection for March 29 Monday of Holy Week

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Readings and Reflection for March 29 Monday of Holy Week

FIRST REALIING
“He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street.” (First song of the servant of the Lord)
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 42: 1-7)

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the islands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

The word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 27: 1.2.3.13-14 (R. 1a)
R/.  The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
whom should I dread? R.

When those who do evil draw near
to devour my flesh,
it is they, my enemies and foes,
 who stumble and fall. R.

R/.  The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart would not fear.
Though war break out against me,
even then would I trust. R.

I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong;
be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord! R.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
Hail, our King: you alone have had mercy on our failings!  
Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL               
“Let her keep it for the day of my burial.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 12.1-11)

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
The mission of prophet Isaiah would be to bring justice for the poor and the marginalized. Somehow, that was in line with the complaint of Judas about the ointment that Mary “wasted” on Jesus, when it could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. The response of Jesus implies that the poor could still be taken care of even after the ointment had been poured on him. Pouring the ointment on him did not stop anyone from caring for the poor if they wanted to. People should not use the excuse of doing one good to avoid doing another equally important good.

Readings and Reflection for Sunday March 28, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

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Readings and Reflection for Sunday March 28, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

FIRST READING
“hid not my face from shame, and I know I shall not be put to shame. ” Third song of the Servant of the Lord.
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 50:4-7)

The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

The word of the Lord.
 

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 22:8-9.17-18a.19-20.23-24  (R. 2a)
R/. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

All who see me deride me;
they curl their lips, they toss their heads:
“He trusted in the Lord, let him save him;
let him release him, for in him he delights.” R.

 For dogs have surrounded me;
a band of the wicked besets me.
They tear holes in my hands and my feet;
I can count every one of my bones. R.

R/. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

They divide my clothing among them,
they cast lots for my  robe.
But you, O Lord, do not stay afar off;
my strength, make haste to help me! R.

I will tell of your name to my kin,
and praise you in the midst of the assembly;
“You who fear the Lord, give him praise;
all descendants of Jacob, give him glory;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel.” R.

SECOND READING                     
“He humbled himself, and God has highly exalted him ”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 2:6-11)

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Philippians2:8b-9
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him: and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

The narrative of the Lords Passion is read without candles and without incense, with no greeting or signing of the book. It is read by a Deacon or, if there is no Deacon, by a Priest. It may also be read by readers, with the part of Christ, if possible, reserved to a Priest. Deacons, but not others, ask for the blessing of the Priest before singing the Passion, as at other times before the Gospel.

GOSPEL (Year B)      
In the following Passion narrative: N = narrator,  C= Christ,  S. = speakers other than Christ.
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (Mark 14: 1- 15:47)

N. It was two days before the Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest Jesus by stealth, and kill him; for they said,

S.  “Not during the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people.”

N. And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the jar and poured it over his head. But there were some who said to themselves indignantly,

S. “Why was the ointment thus wasted? For this ointment might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.”

N. And they reproached her. But Jesus said,

S. “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burying. And truly, I say to you, wherever the Gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

N. Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him. And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover Lamb, his disciples said to him,

S  “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

N. And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them,

C. “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the householder, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I am to eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”

N. And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. And when it was evening he came with the Twelve. And as they were at table eating, Jesus said,

C.  “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”

N.  They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one after another,

S.    “Is it I?”

N.   He said to them,

C.  “It is one of the Twelve, one who is dipping bread in the same dish with me. For the Son of man goes   as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

N. And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said,

C.   “Take; this is my body.”

N. And he took a chalice, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them,

C. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

N. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. And Jesus said to them,

C. “You will all fall away; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. ’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”

N. Peter said to him,

S.  “Even though they all fall away, I will not.”

 N.   And Jesus said to him,

C   “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

N.   But he said vehemently,

S.    “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.”

N.   And they all said the same. And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples,

C.    “Sit here, while I pray.”

N.  And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them,

C.   “My soul is very sorrowful even to death; remain here, and watch.”

N.   And going a little farther he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said,

C.   “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this chalice from me; yet not what I will, but what you will.”

N. And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter,

C.  “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

N. And again he went away and prayed, ‘saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time, and said to them,

C.  “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come; the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayed is at hand.”

N. And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the Twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying,

S.  “The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him and lead him away safely.”

N.   And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said,

S.  “Master!”

N. And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them,

C, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.”

N. And they all deserted him and fled.
And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.
And they led Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled. And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard fifth high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, and warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree. And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,

S.  “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands. ”’

N. Yet not even so did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in their midst, and asked Jesus,

S. “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”

N. But he was silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him,

S. “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

N. And Jesus said,

C. “I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

N. And the high priest tore his clothes, and said,

S. “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?”

N. And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him, saying to him,

S. “Prophesy!”

N. And the guards received him with blows. And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came; and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him. and said,

S. “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.”

N. But he denied it, saying,

S. “I neither know nor understand what you mean.”

N. And he went out into the gateway. And the maid saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders,

S. “This man is one of them.”

N. But again he denied it. And after a little while again the bystanders said to Peter,

S. “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.”

N. But he began to invoke a curse on   himself and to swear,

S.   “I do not know this man of whom you speak.”

N. And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.  *And as soon as it was morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council held a consultation; and they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him,

S. “Are you the King of the Jews?”

N. And he answered him,

C.  “You have said so.”

N. And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him,

S.  “Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.”

N. But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate wondered. Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he always did for them. And he answered them,

S. “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”

N. For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them,

S “Then what shall I do with the man whom you call the King of the Jews?”

N.   And they cried out again,

S.   “Crucify him.”

N.    And Pilate said to them,

S.    “Why, what evil has he done?”

N.   But they shouted all the more,

S.   “Crucify him.”

N.  So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the praetorium); and they called together the whole battalion. And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him. And they began to salute him,

S.  “Hail, King of the Jews!”

N. And they struck his head with a reed, and spat upon him, and they knelt down in homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him. And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour, when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads, and saying,

S. “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!”

N. So also the chief priests mocked him to one another with the scribes, saying,

S.  “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”

N.  Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. And when the sixth hour had come there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,

C.  “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”

N. which means,            

C.  “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

N.  And some of the bystanders hearing it said,

S.  “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”

N. And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying,

S. “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.”

N.   And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last.

All kneel and pause for a moment.

N. And the curtain of the temple was tom in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that he thus breathed his last, he said,

S. “Truly this man was the Son of God!” *

N. There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered to him; and also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. And he bought a linen shroud, and  taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud, and laid him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Today’s Reflection and P
Are you better than those who killed Jesus?

Today is one of those days where we all join the priest in the reading of the Gospel passage. We do this not simply because the Gospel passage is long but so that we all can participate actively and be part of what is happening.  In fact, if we take our time to reflect on the words we have just uttered, we would observe that the homily for today is contained in the Pasion narrative. Hence, my aim here is not to repeat the narrative but to help guide our reflection.

One word that readily comes to mind at the beginning of the Passion Narrative is Betrayal. What does it mean to be betrayed – sold away by a trusted friend; by a person who shares the same plate with you?

Have I betrayed people’s trust, told lies against them or leaked out certain secret information for the sake of money, fame, position or some privileges? Have I acted like Peter; bragging before people only to let them down in their absence?

Jesus took the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray but instead, they started sleeping. How deep and serious is my prayer life? Am I able to watch for one hour with Jesus every day? Do I command God to do my will in prayer instead of simply praying as Jesus prayed: “Let your will, not mine be done.”

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, a symbol of love. Do I pretend to love people whereas I am killing them? Am I a friend by day and an enemy at night?  Jesus told Peter not to fight with his sword. How do I treat my enemies? Eventually the disciples fled for their lives. Do I stick with my friends when things become rough or abandon them when it seems I can no longer benefit from them?

The Sanhedrin judged Jesus and convicted him of blasphemy. As an authority figure, how do I judge cases? Do I give a listening ear to the accused or simply follow the crowd in passing sentence? How do I react when I meet a mob action?

Both Peter and Judas realized their sins but while Peter came back to ask forgiveness, Judas went off to hang himself. Do I feel that my sins are too much or that God cannot forgive me? What I have done about my guilty conscience? Before the Governor, Jesus was silent. When I am accused of something I am innocent of, do I rush too quickly to defend myself?

The Governor asked the people to choose between Barabbas and Jesus but they rejected Jesus forgetting all the good things they had received from him in the past. To this day, the people of the world prefer evil to good. Do I also reject Jesus by consenting to sin?

Then comes Simon of Cyrene who was forced to carry the Cross with Jesus. How often have I helped others to carry their crosses? Am of the belief that I am to mind my business forgetting that it is part of my business as a Christian to love others as myself?

Many joined in mocking Jesus. Do I respect God and holy things? Do I insult God when I don’t answers to my prayers or see instant miracles? Jesus cried: “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” Even God could forsake Jesus, who am I to assume I will always get what I want?

Even after the death of Jesus, the chief priests and Pharisees knowing fully well that Jesus had predicted his resurrection gathered before Pilate to ask for soldiers to guard the tomb. Do I believe more in military power than in the power of God?

If you were around back then, what would you do differently? Whatever be your answer, go and live by it. Each time we sin, we crucify Jesus, let his Holy Week be another reminder and opportunity for us to repent, to love God more and to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others as Jesus did.

Isaiah prophesied about Christ how he would not speak or attack those who would crucify him. To really prove this prophesy right, Christ did just that, he humbled himself like a sheep being led to slaughter. As St. Paul tells the Philippians, let this Humility

Readings and Reflection for March 27, Saturday, the Fifth Week of Lent

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Readings and Reflection for March 27, Saturday, the Fifth Week of Lent

FIRST READING
“I will make them one nation.”
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 37:21-28)

Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from the nations among Which they have gone, and will gather them from all sides, and bring them to their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. They shall not defile themselves any more with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. “My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes. They shall dwell in the land where your fathers dwelt that I gave to my servant Jacob; they and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there for ever; and David my servant shall be their prince for ever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will bless them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is in the midst of them for evermore.”

The word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM Jeremiah 31: 10.11-12ab.13 (R. see 10d)
R/. The Lord will keep us, as a shepherd keeps his flock.

Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the islands afar off;
say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.” R.

For the Lord has ransomed Jacob,
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Sion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord. R.

Then shall the maidens rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. R.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Ezekiel 18:31
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, says the Lord, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL
“Together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 11:45-57)

At that time: Many of the Jews who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him; but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council, and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, every one will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they took counsel about how to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer went about openly among the Jews, but went from there to the country near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim; and there he stayed with the disciples. Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?” Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if any one knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection
With the approach of Holy Week, the tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders was getting to a head. One event after another increased their animosity towards him. The latest was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. For them, that was one miracle too many. It had taken place in public. There was no way anyone could deny it. It had the potential of increasing Jesus’ popularity and the number of those believing in him. It was time to stop him in his tracks. The high priest Calaphas prophesied that he should die rather than that the whole nation should perish. His prophecy would come to pass in due course, except that the death of Jesus would not be for the sake of the Jewish nation alone, but for all of God’s children scattered throughout the world.

Readings and Reflection for March 26 Friday, the Fifth Week of Lent

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Readings and Reflection for March 26 Friday, the Fifth Week of Lent

FIRST READING
“The Lord is with me as a dread warrior. ”
A reading from the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:10-13)

I hear many whispering. Terror is on every side! “Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” say all my familiar friends, watching for my fall. “Perhaps he will be deceived, then we can overcome him, and take our revenge on him.”  But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble, they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten. O Lord of hosts, who test the  righteous,  who  see the heart  and the  mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause. Sing to the Lord; praise the Lord! For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers.

The word of the Lord.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 18:1-2a.2bc-3.4-5.6 (R. see 6)
R. In my anguish I called to the Lord, and he heard me.

I love you, Lord, my strength;
O Lord, my rock, my fortress, my saviour. R.

My God, my rock where I take refuge;
my shield, my saving strength, my stronghold.
I cry out, “Praised be the Lord!”
and see, I am saved from my foes. R.

The waves of death rose about me;
the torrents of destruction assailed me;
the snares of the grave surrounded me;
the traps of death confronted me. R.

R. In my anguish I called to the Lord, and he heard me.

In my anguish I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry to him reached his ears. R.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL John 6:63c.68c
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Your words, Lord, Are Spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL               
“They tried to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 10:31-42)

At that time: The Jews took up stones to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We stone you for no good work but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and Scripture cannot be nullified), do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Again they tried to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John at first baptised, and there he remained. And many came to him; and they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

“Actions speak louder than words”-that is what Jesus implies in today’s Gospel. The Jews accused him of blasphemy because he claimed to be the Son of God. They understood that rightly to mean that he was a divine Person, equal to God. In their mind, that was blasphemy, and the punishment for it was death. Jesus invited them to look at his actions, the miracles he performed. Who else could do such things if not a divine person? If what he said about himself did not convince them, then his actions should convince them. The Jews were not impressed. They still wanted to arrest him and have him put to death. Every day God’s works abound in the lives of believers. We need faith to be able to see them and recognize them as coming from him.

Readings and Reflection for March 25 Thursday, The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)

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Readings and Reflection for March 25 Thursday, The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)

FIRST READING
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive.”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah 7:10-14; 8: 10

In those days: The Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Take counsel together, but it will come to naught; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 40:7-8a.8b-9.10. 11 (R. cf. 8a.9a)
R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

You delight not in sacrifice and offerings,
but in an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Then I said, “See, I have come.” R/.

In the scroll of the book it stands written of me:
“I delight to do your will, O my God;
your instruction lies deep within me.” R/.

R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.

Your justice I have proclaimed
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed;
you know it, O Lord. R/.

Your saving help I have not hidden in my heart;
of your faithfulness and salvation I have spoken.
I made no secret of your merciful love
and your faithfulness to the great assembly. R/.

SECOND READING          
“I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the roll of the book.”
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:4- 10)

Brethren: It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,’ as it is written of me in the roll of the book.” When he said above “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

The word of the Lord.

VERSE BEFORE GOSPEL John 1:14ab
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. The word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we have beheld his glory. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

GOSPEL
“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke1:26-38   

At that time: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I know not man?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Today’s Reflection

Today is March 25. It is exactly 9 months before Christmas. On this day, Mary gave her consent, her fiat, her “I do” to God’s Divine Proposal. On this day, that great miracle happened; through the powerful overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, the baby Jesus, the word of God became flesh right inside her womb.

The feast of the Annunciation is also the feast of the conception of Jesus. While we pay attention to Mary’s acceptance of God’s proposal, we also ponder on how God himself agreed to take on human flesh; the Creator taking the form of his creature. Today’s feast is a reminder that God does not force his way in our lives. He works in us only with our consent. As one Saint said, God created us without our consent but He will not save us without our consent. We always have a choice either to say “Yes” or “No” to God’s plans for our lives.

It is not easy to say ‘Yes’ all the time to God. It takes a great deal of will power to inconvenience ourselves, drop our plans, forgo our own pleasures and desires and say “Yes” just like Mary. Our “Yes” is our offering, it is a sacrifice to God. The book of Hebrews says: “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, burnt offerings and sin offerings you take no pleasure but Behold, I have come to do your will.” Accepting to God’s will instead of ours makes God happy.

Like a young man desiring to marry a woman, God came to Mary through Angel Gabriel to propose to her: “You shall conceive in your womb and bear a Son and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” How happy God must have been when Mary said “Let it be done!” Her “Yes” became the beginning of the fulfilment of God’s promises to the people of Israel which the prophets all spoke about. As Isaiah prophesied, when a virgin conceives, then you shall know that your Redeemer has come. Mary is that Virgin Isaiah spoke of as a sign to the people of Israel that God has finally sent them the Saviour they have been expecting.

Today’s feast is also a clear reminder to us that life in the womb does not begin after the baby is born but at the very minute of conception. Mary’s stomach was still very flat but when she went to visit her kinswoman Elizabeth, John the Baptist leaped in Elizabeth’s womb in salutation to Jesus whose presence he already felt inside Mary’s womb.

Dear Friends, as we celebrate today, let us respect life. Under no circumstance is it ever right to terminate the unborn because the fetus is not just a potential human being but a complete human being with great potentials. Above all, let us always learn from Mary to say ‘Yes’ to God so that his plans for our lives will be manifested. Each time we commit a sin, we are saying ‘No’ to God and further pulling ourselves away from the life God planned out for us. We are all bundles of potentials, but none of these would be realized if we don’t learn to say ‘Yes’ to God.

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