The Paschal Candle The Paschal candle that shall be installed this night represents Christ as the Light of the World who has come to dispel the darkness of sin and death. You must have noticed that the Paschal candle carries certain symbols, as shown in the picture below. These symbols are not strange in biblical […]
Monthly Archives: March 2024
30
Mar
Mar
𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘 Today is Holy Saturday, and according to the most ancient tradition, this is the night of keeping vigil for the Lord (Ex 12:42), in which the faithful, following the Gospel admonition (Lk 12:35–37), should be like those looking for the Lord when he returns, carrying lighted lamps in their hands, so that at […]
29
Mar
Mar
Holy Thursday On Holy Thursday, there are two Masses: the Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Chrism Mass is the manifestation of the priests’ communion with their bishop. Every priest is expected to participate in this celebration, as it symbolizes the unity between the bishop and priests. It also offers them […]
29
Mar
Mar
GOOD FRIDAY SAIAH 52:13–53:12; PSALM 31; HEBREWS 4:14–16, 5:7-9; JOHN 18:1–19:42 In today’s reflection, we shall be concerned with some basic questions and lessons. What is Good Friday? Good Friday is the day we commemorate Jesus Christ’s Passion, crucifixion, and death. It is a mandatory day of fasting and abstinence. This is the day of […]
27
Mar
Mar
Betrayal ISAIAH 50:4–9; PSALM 69; MATTHEW 26:14–25 Judas accepted thirty pieces of silver to hand Jesus over to the Jewish authorities. Betrayal is the violation of a person’s trust or confidence. It comes from those you relate to. David was no stranger to betrayal: “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if […]
26
Mar
Mar
Peter and Judas Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71; John 13:21–33, 36–38 In the gospel, Jesus, the Light of the Nations, was at supper with his disciples but became troubled in spirit and suddenly foretold Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial. Between Peter and Judas, there are some similarities and differences. Jesus once referred to them as devils […]
25
Mar
Mar
Mary anoints Jesus ISAIAH 42:1–7; PSALM 27; JOHN 12:1–11 All four gospels present an account of Jesus being anointed by a woman with a costly jar of perfume (Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8). Only John’s gospel identified the woman as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (John 11:2). Mary’s […]
23
Mar
Mar
COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD’S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM (Homily, before the procession Matthew 21,1-11) Palm Sunday also known as Passion Sunday is the first day of the Holy Week. It is signified in churches with the waving of palm branches and singing of “Hosanna!” It commemorates the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, when they took […]
23
Mar
Mar
The Critical Hour of Jesus Christ Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-30 Today’s readings address the theme of Christ’s suffering and death. In fact, the gospel reading taking from John 12: 20-30 speaks of the “coming of Jesus’ hour”. What hour? The hour of His suffering and death. The “hour” of Jesus is […]
23
Mar
Mar
CAIAPHAS’ PROPHESY EZEKIEL 37:21–28; PSALM–JJEREMIAH 31:10–13; JOHN 11:45–56 Caiaphas prophesied, saying, “It is better for one man to die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed” (John 11:50). This prophecy is true about Jesus’ mission and purpose, but it was understood literally. Due to the miracles and the widespread belief in […]