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…
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…
The Transfiguration of the Lord There are three important elements in the Transfiguration of Jesus that is pertinent to the season of Lent. First, the conversation that Jesus had with Moses and Elijah. Second, the change in appearance of Jesus, and third, the voice from the cloud that came over them. According to St. Luke in today’s Gospel, Moses and Elijah conversed with Jesus about the exodus which he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. The Exodus in the…
The Three Temptations We are all beset with temptations on a daily basis, and sometimes it becomes a real struggle to choose between sin and doing what is pleasing to God. However, today’s Gospel shows us that we need not face temptation alone, and that it is possible to overcome temptation. The temptations of Jesus in the desert signify that Jesus himself had to undergo what all of mankind had to undergo since the fall of Adam and Eve. And…
Lent is Fast Approaching The Lenten season has a double character. It prepares both catechumens and the baptized faithful to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. The catechumens are prepared for their reception of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. On the other hand, the baptized faithful are prepared through penance and prayer for the Easter celebration. This year, the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday (March 6, 2019) and ends on Holy Thursday (April 18, 2019). In addition…
In the Catholic Church, the month of March is devoted to St. Joseph. St. Joseph, the foster father of Our Lord, is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew (1:16,18-20,24; 2:13,19), Luke (1:27; 2:4,16; 3:23,24; 4:22) and John (1:45; 6:42). He was a just man (Matthew 1:19), a man of humble obedience and strength. St. Joseph is regarded as the patron saint of workers and is associated with various feast days. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared him to be both…