EASTER GREETINGS
Alleluia! Our Lord is risen and offers us new life! We certainly need to hear this message this year as we finally emerge from the coronavirus pandemic but now find ourselves watching in horror the carnage and destruction resulting from the war in Ukraine. The Paschal mystery proclaims that Jesus, truly man – the son of Mary – really died on the cross and then overcame the power of death as he rose on Easter. The resurrection of the body, the central mystery of Easter, is an essential Christian doctrine. As […]
FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
As Christians everywhere this day flock to churches stripped of all flowers to venerate the wood of the cross, we fast and pray, mindful of the depth of God’s love for us, even to the death of his Son on a cross. There are two questions that I would like to offer for our reflection. First, what did we do to deserve such a loving God who gives the life of his only Son for our salvation? And second, what can we offer him in return for this wondrous sacrifice […]
HOLY THURSDAY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
“I hope we have a nice vacation!” Please make up your bed before you go to school.” “I love you.” We all know how important words are. Among other things, they can express our hopes, give direction and relay our feelings. But they don’t have any power by themselves. Hoping for a nice vacation won’t guarantee it, nor will our directions to our child to make their bed. But, when God speaks, his very word is effective. “Let there be light,” he commands, and there was light. “Stretch out your […]
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
For most of his public life, it seems that Jesus tried to hide his true identity. While others acclaimed him as the Messiah or the Son of God, he referred to himself as the Son of Man; we heard him use that title to describe himself twice in today’s gospel. When others tried to worship him or spread the news of his miracles, he told them to keep silent. He didn’t want their praise or publicity. Not yet. His time had not yet come and they did not understand his […]
PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION AND HOLY WEEK
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Lk 19:38). On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we are called to join with our Lord, Jesus Christ, as he makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and then suffers derision and mockery, scourging and finally crucifixion because he comes to offer a new way of life and claims to be who he truly is – the Son of God. This week is, indeed, what we Christians call it: Holy […]
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Last week, we heard the very well-known parable of the prodigal son where we heard, once again, of God’s abundant mercy and forgiveness. Today, we hear the equally well-known account of Jesus’ encounter with the scribes and Pharisees and a woman caught in the act of adultery. Once again, we hear of God’s mercy. This unnamed woman has become famous because Jesus saved her from a crowd that was out to get him. This woman was just like the bait on a fisherman’s hook; Jesus was the fish they were […]
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
This is one great parable, isn’t it!?! Especially in this Lenten season, we can all relate to the prodigal son, wasteful and extravagant in our use of all that God has given us to fulfill our own desires rather than for the building up of God’s kingdom. But, sinful though we are, if we convert our lives, God, in his love and care for us – will always demonstrate his love, always forgive us and welcome us back
We know this parable under the title of the prodigal son because he […]