Tag: Holy Week

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples who are gathered together in a locked room out of fear of some of the Jewish leaders. Jesus suddenly appears and says, “Peace be with you.” He then shows them his hands and side, which bear the marks of the crucifixion, and they see and believe that he has truly risen from the dead. Jesus then breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He also gives them the authority to forgive sins. Thomas is not present when Jesus appears, and he refuses to believe that Jesus has risen unless he sees the wounds for himself. A week later, Jesus appears to the disciples again, and this time Thomas is there. Jesus invites Thomas to touch his wounds and to believe, and Thomas confesses, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus’ response to Thomas is spoken not only to Thomas but to all who would believe without seeing. Peter describes this beautifully in the second reading: “Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him.”

Lord, help me understand that the words you spoke to Thomas you speak to me in your mercy to meet me in my unbelief. “Do not be unbelieving, but believe.” The eleven disciples had the benefit of your appearance to them; Thomas at first did not, and neither do I. Although I cannot see you in the same way, you invite me to believe without seeing. You are alive, body and soul, at the right hand of the Father, and you are present in the sacraments. Give me the grace to trust in what I cannot see, mercy itself, that through this belief I may have life in your name.

Thank you, Lord, for the quiet moments in your presence. Make yourself known to me today so that I’m aware of you in ways I wouldn’t ordinarily recognize. Give thanks to the LORD for he is good, his love is everlasting.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Saturday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appears to the Eleven and rebukes them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, for not believing those who saw him after the resurrection. I can only imagine what it was like as the risen Jesus called out those closest to him for their lack of faith.

God, help me understand how this event from long ago applies to me. If the Eleven lacked faith, surely my lack of faith is something Jesus would address on meeting me. Yet, what he says next to the disciples is not out of step with his rebuke; it is, instead, a means Jesus gives them to increase their faith. In telling them to go out and proclaim the Gospel to every creature, Jesus the Divine Physician diagnoses them and provides a cure: in order to confront unbelief, go out in faith to the whole world and boldly proclaim the Good News. To do this, Lord, is to do your will in the same way Peter and John proclaimed the Good News and performed miracles. When told not to speak the name of Jesus, Peter told the people who opposed him: “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” God, give me courage to speak the name of your Son, and help me recognize when you place the opportunity before me.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Friday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

Jesus appears again to the disciples. They have been out fishing but catch nothing all night. At dawn, Jesus stands on the shore, although they do not recognize him. He asks if they caught anything, and they reply no. Jesus then instructs them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and they catch so many fish they are unable to pull the net ashore. John recognizes that it is Jesus who has performed this miracle. When they arrive on the shore, they find that Jesus had made a fire; fish and bread already on it, Jesus invites them to eat. This is the third time Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. Like yesterday’s reading, the disciples recognize Jesus as he gives them something to eat.

God, help me see how Jesus provides for every small need and also in superabundance—as in the catch of 153 large fish—for those he comes to. It is in Jesus’ overflowing care of the most basic needs that Jesus provides and is recognized by his disciples as the Son of God. In his earthly life, Jesus once asked the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” Here, John tells us how the disciples have come to recognize your Son: “And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord.”

Thank you, Lord, for all that you give me. As the psalmist says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Let those who fear the LORD say, ‘His mercy endures forever.'”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Thursday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

And Jesus said to the disciples, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, or the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

In today’s Gospel, continuing from yesterday’s reading, Jesus appears to the disciples in the room where they had gathered and greets them with “Peace be with you,” showing them his hands and feet to prove that he is not a ghost. By eating a piece of baked fish in their presence, Jesus further shows them that he is truly present to them in both body and soul. Jesus tells them that everything that had happened to him had been prophesied in the Scriptures and that he had to suffer and die in order to rise from the dead and bring salvation to all people. He also tells them that they are witnesses of these things, and that they are to go out and proclaim the good news of his resurrection to all nations. Jesus gives them confidence by telling them that they are witnesses to the resurrection of the Son of God. Later, in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter himself says to people that they were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection.

God, help me trust in your Son; increase my faith so that I understand that he always seeks to give me confidence in him and in your word. At table with the disciples in Emmaus, Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. In his appearance to the other disciples, Jesus strengthens their faith, first by addressing their fears and uncertainty and then by telling them that they themselves witnessed the fulfillment of the scriptures through his dying and rising. In the same way, Jesus comes to me through the reassurance of the scriptures and the sacraments, bringing with him the true peace of his presence.

Be with me today, Lord, as I strive to remember you and put aside the desire for things that are not of you and that fail to lead to you. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

As two of Jesus’ disciples are going to the village of Emmaus, Jesus approached them and walked with them, but they didn’t know it was the Lord. Jesus enters into their conversation about the events of the past week and hears in their voices that they are downcast and discouraged. Just as Mary saw the empty tomb, some members of the group also saw the empty tomb, but Jesus did not appear to them. Because of lack of faith, they are uncertain about what has taken place. They say, “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” Not until Jesus speaks to them of the prophets and Scriptures that referred to him did they begin to recognize that this is no ordinary man. When Jesus stays with them and they eat together, they come to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. After Jesus vanishes from their sight, their faith in him restored, they say, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”

God, help me understand the richness of these Easter Octave Gospel readings. Just as Jesus meets Mary Magdalene along the way, he also meets the two disciples heading toward Emmaus. In their uncertainty, as they struggle to understand what has happened in the last week, they see Jesus meeting them where they are. Their encounter with him leaves them with hope restored and faith strengthened. Your Son, the risen Christ, is no less present to me as he was to them. Help me open my eyes to him as I strive to hear your voice throughout the day. In the breaking of the bread, the disciples recognized Jesus. Through your word, through the sacraments, and through the Eucharist, grant me the grace to see the glory of your presence today and every day.

This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Tuesday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.

In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb of Jesus and finds it empty. She thinks that the body of Jesus has been stolen, so she asks a man she thinks is the gardener where they have taken him. The man tells her that he is Jesus, and she recognizes him. Jesus tells her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” He tells her to go to the disciples and tell them that he is going to his Father and their Father, to his God and their God. Mary Magdalene goes to the disciples and tells them what she has seen. In this encounter with Jesus, Mary models perfect discipleship; she recognizes the risen Jesus and goes immediately to the disciples to proclaim what she has seen and what Jesus told her.

God, help me with your grace in the same way you helped Mary Magdalene recognize and respond to your Son’s commandment to go and announce the Good News. By destroying death, Jesus bridged a great chasm that stood between you and all of humanity. In that was the end to the ultimate division between God and man but also an end to small divisions that separated your people from you in their earthly existence. Thank you, Lord, for Mary’s love of the risen Christ. As Archbishop Luis María Martínez said of Easter morning: “But a woman whose heart beat with a fathomless, invincible love, returned from the sepulcher, radiant with jubilation, on the luminous Resurrection morning. From the depths of suffering and death, sinlessness arose victorious over sin to bestow upon the world the divine gift of joy.” Once Jesus restored us to you, like Mary we are able to hear and respond to your will. Just as Jesus called Mary by name, make clear to me today, my God, when I hear him call me by name.

Lord, meet me where I am throughout every moment of this day. How am I to recognize you and your word unless you say my name?

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

Monday in the Octave of Easter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

On this second day in the Octave of Easter, Jesus says to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, “Do not be afraid.” After all they experienced at the empty tomb—an earthquake, an angel descending from heaven, paralyzed Roman guards—the emotions of the two Marys were full of fear and joy as they hurried back to tell the disciples what had happened. And then Jesus met them. Consider how Jesus meets them where they are at that moment, at the height of their overwhelming joy and trembling. They couldn’t wait to share what they had witnessed. By contrast, the guards who had been frozen in fear went to tell the chief priests what had happened and were told to keep quiet. They received hush money. What did they do, Lord, when you met the two Marys on the road? Matthew says, “They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.” Where will I be today when Jesus meets me on the way, and will I recognize him?

God, help me be ready to go out and receive you wherever today’s road leads. Often I choose paths that lead me out of fear away from giving witness to you through my life and words. Help me understand that you are there along the harder path of being your witness. Keep me in the truth of the resurrection of your Son and give me the grace to be a faithful witness of him to others.

Thank you, Lord, for this day, which is yours. Keep me in your peace and the joy of the risen Christ. As the Gospel acclamation says, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W-KSOPWWBY

The Resurrection of the Lord

The Disciples Peter and John running to the sepulchre
on the morning of the Resurrection,
Eugène Burnand

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Today’s Gospel by John describes the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John. The passage begins with Mary Magdalene arriving at the tomb early on the first day of the week. She sees that the stone has been rolled away from the entrance and runs to tell Peter and the other disciple. Peter and the other disciple go to the tomb and see that the linen cloths are lying there, but the body of Jesus is gone. At the end of the passage, John enters the empty tomb and sees and believes that Jesus has risen from the dead. It is evidence of Jesus’ historical resurrection, a central tenet of the Catholic faith, but also an example of discipleship. Despite following Jesus as his closest disciples, it wasn’t until Peter and John entered the darkness of the empty tomb to see and believe in the Scripture—that Jesus had to rise from the dead. As a disciple of Jesus, I have to stop and consider how to increase my faith, where I need to see and believe.

God, help me understand the glory of the resurrection. In the empty tomb, the risen Christ has conquered death and is alive today just as he was when he rose from the dead two thousand years ago. He is the first, the one who goes before me in the hope of my own resurrection and salvation through him. It is a kind of veiled hope in this life, which quietly calls me toward you day after day in the bold, resounding hope that one day I, like your Son, will be with you forever in your glory. As Saint Paul says, “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” Christ has risen, and in him is undying hope. Father, give me the grace of discipleship to see and believe in hope made visible through the glory of his resurrection.

Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed; let us then feast with joy in the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Holy Saturday—Easter Vigil

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. . . . And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. . . . Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. . . .” Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Today’s Gospel for the Easter Vigil Mass tells how Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb of Jesus on the first day of the week and find that it is empty. An angel tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead, and that they should go and tell his disciples. Fearful yet overjoyed, they run to announce this to his disciples and meet Jesus on the way. In telling them not to be afraid and to go to Galilee, Jesus reveals that he will appear to them there. At this moment, Jesus confirms his divinity to the women and soon will do the same to the disciples. Through his resurrection, Jesus destroys death, offering salvation to all who believe in him. An unending source of joy and hope, the risen Christ brings to everybody as the firstfruits life in the new covenant based love and mercy and salvation for all.

God, just as the women came to see the tomb, I come to you today expecting nothing extraordinary to happen. A life lived in routines—even the best routines—leads to ordinary ends. It leaves little room for awe. Yet, as they arrived, the two Marys experienced an earthquake, an angel descending from heaven, Roman guards paralyzed with fear, a stone rolled back, and the voice of the angel saying, “Do not be afraid. I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.” Your angels, Lord, must know all about ordinary expectations. Rituals sustain us through all of life’s passages. We expect that a man who has died stays dead and that when visiting a tomb, we will find him there. But then the angel then invites them to see the place where Jesus lay, but the dead man is gone. God, help me today to put my well-worn, routine expectations to death in the pitch-black tomb where Jesus lay. Grant me the great gift of faith to expect that from the ordinary, you ignite the world with—wonder of wonders!—the extraordinary hope of life lived in your love.

From the responsorial psalm: “The right hand of the LORD has struck with power; the right hand of the LORD is exalted. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him,  went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I AM.”

In the Lord’s Passion, Jesus refers to himself as I AM from the moment the chief priests and Pharisees come looking for him to his moment of death, when he says, “It is finished.” In his self-declaration as I AM, Jesus identifies himself as God. When Pilate tells Jesus that his own nation has handed him over to him and asks what Jesus has done, Jesus replies: “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” Again, when Pilate tells Jesus he has the power to release him or crucify him, Jesus says, “You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above.” So it is the eternal God, the creator of the universe, God who loved us into existence and whose Son is one with him, who died on the cross to take away our sins. As Isaiah says in the first reading of the servant, the Son of God: “he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses.”

God, considering your Son on this day of his Passion, I fumble for words. What do I say to you? It’s the way I might feel when approaching a great or saintly person, yet there is added to that the sorrow of death and loss of a beloved one, your Son. It is your grace I need to help me expand and deepen my understanding of the passion. Saint Paul encourages me to come to you for that grace. Let me remember his words throughout the day: “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” To find grace in you, God—I know you desire that and that you thirst for me to come to you. From the cross, Jesus said, “I thirst.” Let me hear your voice today and come to you to receive your mercy.

Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. Take courage and be stouthearted, all you who hope in the LORD. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Readings