The Easter Message St. Augustine once said that there is nothing great in believing that Christ died, because non-Christians also believe it, but the great thing is in believing the Resurrection of Christ, which is the foundation of Christian faith. For the Christian, the Resurrection is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise when he said, “I have the power to lay down my life, and I have the power to take it up again (Jn 10:17-18),” and “destroy this temple and…
The Passion of Christ St. Luke’s version of the crucifixion and death of Christ gives us the remarkable example of Christ’s forgiveness. Hanging on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them: they don’t know what they do (Lk23:24).” Luke’s Gospel is unique in telling us about the two criminals who were crucified with Christ. One of them echoed the taunts of those who put Jesus to death, by saying: “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us. (Lk23:39)”.…
Lazarus! Come forth! The raising of Lazarus from the dead is the seventh and last sign or miracle in the Gospel of John. Through these miracles, Jesus revealed His identity. For example, at the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus proclaimed Himself the Bread of Life; in restoring the sight of the man born blind, Jesus proclaimed Himself the Light of the world; and at the raising of Lazarus, Jesus proclaimed Himself the Resurrection and the Life. The raising of…
The Man Born Blind The story of the man born blind in John’s Gospel is more than just a miracle story in which Jesus cured the physical blindness of a man. More importantly, it helps us to be more aware of our own spiritual blindness – our inability to see our own sins. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.” The…
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem: When they drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them here to me. And if anyone should say anything to you, reply, ‘The master has need of them.’ Then he will send them at once.”…
Holy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. The liturgy for the evening of Holy Thursday is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the Gospels. Holy Thursday initiates the Sacred Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; this period includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday and ends with the Easter Vigil. Holy Thursday is also…
Good Friday is a Christian holy day which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday before Easter Sunday, and it may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, candlesticks and altar cloths, cross or crosses are removed from the altar. The holy water fonts are also emptied in preparation of the…
The Easter Vigil is one of the most important celebrations in the liturgical year. In the Catholic Church, catechumens are baptized and received into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil. The liturgy consists of four major parts. The first part is the Liturgy of Light or Lucernarium; the celebration begins outside the church after sunset, where the Paschal Candle is blessed. The Paschal Candle is then processed into the church. Inside the church, smaller candles held by…
St. Augustine once said that there is nothing great in believing that Christ died, because non-Christians also believe it, but the great thing is in believing the Resurrection of Christ, which is the foundation of Christian faith. For the Christian, the Resurrection is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise when he said, “I have the power to lay down my life, and I have the power to take it up again (Jn 10:17-18),” and “destroy this temple and in three days…
Worship God in Spirit and Truth Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” What is the meaning of ‘worshipping God in spirit and truth?’ To worship in ‘spirit’ means to worship in the Holy Spirit, and to worship in ‘truth’ means to worship in a way that is revealed by Christ. Therefore, in order to worship God ‘in spirit and truth,’ a person must first have the…