Lent
-
Exodus and Repentance
The readings this Sunday focus on baptism, Exodus, and repentance. The Exodus of the Old Testament is the story of Moses leading the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt through the waters of the Red Sea. Christians see in that passage through the Red Sea a prefiguring of the waters of baptism. It Continue reading
-
The Seventh Word from the Cross 2024
Into your hands I commend my spirit. Lk 23:46 Jesus has completed his mission. He has redeemed humanity from its Original Sin. His redemption is not limited to the children of Israel but is offered to all who will accept his invitation. Jesus has established the New Passover, the new exodus from enslavement to death Continue reading
-
Apostolic Mission
A clean heart create for me, O God,and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Psalm 51:10 The readings today bring to mind cleanliness and renewal. We are all born with the stain of original sin. It is the sacrament of baptism that cleans us and prepares us for a life in Christ. And when we Continue reading
-
Transfiguration and Satisfaction
On the second Sunday of Lent, the gospel is always about the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, where the three leading apostles are shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that this Jesus they have been following is more than a Rabbi or even the Messiah anointed by God. The Transfiguration manifests the reality Continue reading
-
Mortal Death and Eternal Life
The theme of the readings today is the power of God over life and death. Ezekiel, speaking for the Lord, says, “Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people!” In the Gospel story, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after Continue reading
-
Prayer in Lent
Prayer is one of the three things that we are encouraged by the Church to do during the season of Lent. Along with fasting and almsgiving, we are encouraged to spend more time in prayer. Prayer is recollected quiet time, talking and listening to our Lord. I think the readings today can help us think Continue reading
-
Rejoice and Be Converted
Today is the fourth Sunday in Lent which is frequently known by the Latin word that opens the entrance antiphon. And that word is laetare. Laetare means rejoice. And as we enter the church on this fourth Sunday in Lent we are met with the command to rejoice. And on this Rejoice Sunday we are Continue reading
-
Good Friday Sixth Word
There was a jar filled with common wine. They stuck a sponge soaked in this wine on some hyssop and raised it to his lips. When Jesus took the wine, he said: “It is finished.” John 19:29-30 The New Covenant is now set. What began Thursday evening as a Seder meal that seemed to be Continue reading
-
Good Friday Fourth Word
When noon came, darkness fell on the whole countryside and lasted until midafternoon. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:45-46 Jesus hanging on the cross, is still an observant Jew. He is reciting the 22nd psalm; the Son Continue reading
-
Good Friday Second Word
One of the criminals hanging in crucifixion blasphemed him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Then save yourself and us.” But the other one rebuked him: “Have you no fear of God, seeing you are under the same sentence? We deserve it, after all. We are only paying the price for what we have done, but this Continue reading
Bound in Love 