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 the [...]
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 LENT (Year C)
Isaiah 43:16 - 21 On the first Sunday of Lent, we heard Moses recall the power of God leading the people to Egypt and then out of Egypt into the Promised Land. On the Second Sunday, we heard of God making a covenant with Abraham, in which he promised him that land. On the Third Sunday, we heard the powerful story of God revealing himself to Moses in the desert, telling Moses that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Last Sunday, we heard Joshua recall the time [...]
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Year C)
We have reached the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday. Like Gaudete Sunday in Advent, we rejoice this Sunday because Lent is almost over. The Entrance Antiphon, which we will not hear because we will sing an Entrance Chant, begins with “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who are mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” This short passage from the prophet Isaiah (cf. 66:10-11) sets the stage for today’s celebration. In both the first reading from the Book of Joshua [...]
LAETARE SUNDAY
Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; Exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. (Is 66:10:11) Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is also known as Laetare Sunday. It gets this name from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon used at Mass when there is no music; you will see it quoted above. In Latin, the antiphon begins with the word “Laetare,” which, as you see above, translates into “Rejoice.” As we quickly approach the end of Lent – next week [...]
THIRD SUNDAY LENT (Year C)
Exodus 3:1 – 8a, 13 – 15 We are in the middle of Lent, our annual time of retreat. We are called, once again, to take a look at how our life reflects what we believe in God. And, as we will see in this Sunday’s readings, as we come to know God, we are called to action. We also bow down in humility and gratitude before a God who is generous beyond our understanding, always ready to forgive as he continues to call us back to him. Let’s [...]