Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Betrayal and Hurt Through Sin



The WORD today reminds me that every time I sin, I hurt and betray God. 

Jesus is both human and divine. Being human like us, he can feel what we feel. He experience what we experience. We know that he was tempted by the devil in the desert when he was fasting, when he was weak – as a human being would be in that situation. As a human being, we know that Jesus experienced pain and suffering, just like what we see in the first reading and the psalm. And in the gospel, we see Jesus being hurt and sold – by one of his own apostles.

Everytime we sin, we hurt and betray God. And He can feel every inch of it. 

Judas came to the chief priests and asked what they would give him if he betrayed Jesus. We may not directly do this, but everytime we sin, we do this to God. Everytime we sin, we tell God what it takes for us to betray and hurt him. everytime we do something bad, we show God how more important that sin is compared to Him. Everytime we choose to do our will, we tell God we love ourselves more than we love him. When we sin, we tell him how little he is to us, what his equivalent in our life is - that we choose that over Him. 

This holy week, we are challenged. God has given us so much. God has proven his love for us in so many ways. We should never forget these things, and we should allow ourselves to be loved by God. As we experience his love, we will be better. We will be whole. We will be more like him. We will love him better.

How do I hurt God? Do I realize that when I sin, I choose evil over him? In what ways do I sell him out? What can I do to choose him today? How can I love him especially with the covid situation right now? 

May we desire to prove to God how much we love him, that he is more important than sin in our lives. May we be moved to show and prove to God how much we love Him by doing good and avoiding sin. 

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience your love. Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for being patient with me. Lord, sorry for the many times I sin. Sorry for choosing myself and my desires over you. sorry for choosing the easier path over your path. Sorry for not learning my lesson and continuously sinning. Sorry for not trying hard enough to live pleasing to you. Lord, as I allow you to love me, I ask that you help me be stronger for you. Help me see you in everything. Help me live right. Help me focus on you. Change me to be more like you. May I have a heart like yours, a heart that hates sin and loves God above anyone and anything.  Amen.

Blessed Holy Wednesday!

In Christ,
-g-

March 31, 2021
Holy Week - Wednesday; St. Guy of Pomposa

FIRST READING

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?


RESPONSORIAL PSALM

R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me. 

For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me. 

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 

Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none; for consolers, not one could I find. Rather they put gall in my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me. 

I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving: “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.” 

R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our errors. 

Or 

Hail to you, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.


GOSPEL

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. 

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, AMy appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘“ The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover. 

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Loving the Imperfect


The WORD today reminds me that God loves me, especially because of my imperfections.

People learn from their mistakes. Well, we should. When we experience a setback, we do our best not to experience it again. We adjust. We improvise. We improve. This is true with regards to people as well. When someone does not deliver on what is expected, we stay away from the person or get someone else who we think can deliver. To avoid further setbacks, we sometimes do not give another chance and instead look for someone else. We look for someone better.  This is usually true for human beings, but not for God.

God loves us so much, that despite knowing our weaknesses, he still has faith in us.

In the gospel, we see that Jesus knew Peter will deny him three times. This was also part of the gospel yesterday.  However, he still entrusted the keys of heaven to Peter. He still trusted in Peter. He still gave responsibilities to Peter. He had faith in Peter, that he can change and can become better. And we know that because of that love and faith of Jesus, Peter really became a lot better and served God until death.

God sees us not for what we are right now, but for what we can become.

We too are very imperfect, weak and sinful like Peter. However, God loves us so much nonetheless. His love will not be stopped by our weakness. He sees beyond our weakness and sees what we can become when we just allow him to love us. His love can transform. His love equips. His solution to our imperfections is not to scold us or get mad at us, but to love us more. When we allow him to love us, when we feel his love, we will be transformed – not magically, but because his great love cannot go unnoticed. As we feel and experience his love, it will move us and transform us to be better individuals. When we allow him to love us, when we allow him to live in us, we too can do great things for God – for all great things are done out of love for God, which we want to do to thank him for loving us. 

How do I treat other people who have wronged or failed me? Do I give second chances or am I very strict? How do I make God feel? Do I try my best to live well for him? Do I know and realize that despite all my sins and imperfections, he loves me so much? 

May we always remember how special and loved we are, and may we allow God’s perfect and transforming love to be in us.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, I thank you for loving me so much, despite all my sins and weaknesses. I thank you for seeing the goodness in me, especially when I cannot see them in myself. Thank you for having faith and believing in me, especially when I find it hard to believe in myself. Lord, I allow you to love me. I allow you to use me. I allow you to transform me. As I feel and experience your love, I know I become closer to the person you created me to be. As I experience your love, I know that in my own little way, you can use me to share that love to others and make you more alive in this world; especially with the covid situation we are in.  amen.

Blessed Holy Tuesday!

In Christ,
-g-

March 30, 2021
Holy Week - Tuesday; St. John Climacus

FIRST READING

Hear me, O islands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. 

Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God. For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM

R. (see 15ab) I will sing of your salvation. 

In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me.

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress. O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked. 

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. 

R. I will sing of your salvation. 

My mouth shall declare your justice, day by day your salvation. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds. 

R. I will sing of your salvation.


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Hail to you, our King, obedient to the Father; you were led to your crucifixion like a gentle lamb to the slaughter.


GOSPEL

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to give something to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night. 

When he had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.” 

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

Monday, March 29, 2021

Only My Best


The WORD today reminds me that God only deserves my best, and I should give him that. 

We always want the best for our loved ones. Parents work hard to be able to provide the best education for their children. They save up to be able to give their children the best life they can give. We give our special someone the best that we can. However, sometimes we fail to give our best to the most important one – God.

God only deserves our very best.

In the gospel, we see Mary giving Jesus her best service. They prepared for him, and she gave him the best oil she had. Not only that, she served him herself and anointed his feet with her best oil. She did not withhold anything from her service to Jesus. This inspires me to do the same.

We do not always give God our best. I do not always give God my best. Some of us do not give him the best and first fruits of our labor, and just give him whatever extra we have from our other expenses. Some of us don’t give him the best service we can, and just serve him through others when we have nothing better to do. Some of us don’t give him the best time of the day to pray, and just pray before we sleep or when we are tired and cannot focus anymore. Some of us don’t give him the best days of our lives, and just serve him when we are old, retired, and have nothing else to do.

We should give God our best. He appreciates it. 

God wants the best from us because only when we give him the best can we receive the best from Him. Not because he will only give us the best when we serve him with the best, but because we will only be ready to receive, appreciate and recognize the best from him when we are fully committed to give him the best we can give

How do I serve God? Do I give God my best or just my excess? What else can I do to give God my best in everything? With the crisis we are experiencing, no matter how difficult or scary, do I still give God the best by helping others?

May we be inspired to give God our best starting today and for always.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. As we start the Holy Week, thank you for the reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the many times I give you just the excess in my life. Sorry for not giving the best of me. Help me start this today, this week. From now on, I will give you the best I can give – my best time, my best fruits, my best attitude. Help me become the best version of myself for you so I can show you how much I love you. That's what you deserve from me and I will do my best to give that to you. Help me make the most out of this situation, and make your presence alive. Amen.

Blessed Holy Week! 

In Christ,
-g-

March 29, 2021
Holy Week - Monday; St. Jonas and St. Barachisius

FIRST READING

Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom I have put my Spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, Not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, Until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. 

Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, To open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.


RESPONSORIAL PSALM

R. (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

When evildoers come at me to devour my flesh, My foes and my enemies themselves stumble and fall. 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust. 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. 

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.


VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

Hail to you, our King; you alone are compassionate with our faults.


GOSPEL

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.


Sunday, March 28, 2021

Love in Pain


The WORD today reminds me that the cross represents the ultimate demonstration of God’s love. 

Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday, the start of the holy week. We see in the first and second readings how much Jesus had to suffer for us. He endured pain and humiliation leading up to his death on the cross. He was one with God, but allowed to become human to be like us, and willingly took on the pain that comes with saving us. 

The gospel is probably one of the longest, if not the longest gospel to be read during mass. We see a lot of things happening – from his last hours, last supper, last prayer to God and eventually his passion and death. It reminds us of how much God loves us. How much pain he was willing to endure for us. His passion and death was caused by God’s love for us, unworthy sinners. But I believe the most painful for Jesus was when he bore our sins, thus the psalmist echoes Jesus words “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me.” God abandoned him because at that point, where he carried our sins, he cannot be with God because God cannot be with sin. So from the very beginning where he was one with God, this was the first time he was separated from God. 

God’s ultimate demonstration of his love for us is Jesus’ death on the cross.

Jesus death and eventual resurrection saved us. It gave us life. It gave us a new beginning, a new opportunity to live for Him. Jesus’ death signifies that we are no longer slaves of sin because we have been redeemed by God’s love.

No matter how we feel about ourselves, no matter how the world makes us feel or treat us, we should always remember God’s love. God loves us so much, and his loves makes us worthy. And he does not ask anything in return, just to allow ourselves to be loved by Him. His love is so great, that as we allow him to love us, we will slowly be changed and be moved to be better ourselves and love him back.

Do I feel loved in this life? Do I feel special? Do I realize that God loves me so much he allowed Jesus to die and be separated from him? What is God telling me today? Do I feel God’s love despite the situation our world is in? How can I share God’s love to others? 

May we remember how much God loves us and look at ourselves as God sees us.

Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for loving me. Lord, I know I am not worthy to be loved. I am sinful and I don’t always do your will. But Lord, I thank you for seeing me in a different way. Thank you for seeing the beauty and goodness in me. Sorry for not seeing myself the way you see me. Sorry for the times your love is not enough for me. help me see myself the way you see me. Lord, I allow you to love me. I allow myself to be loved. I know as I experience your great love for me, I will be moved and slowly be transformed to be better so I can love you too. Be with me in a special way this coming week that I may feel you more, that I may be one with you in your pain and suffering for others, all because of love. It may be very different from the usual way we commemorate your passion and death and resurrection, but be with us in a special way this week, no matter what is happening. In a special way, I lift up my daughter. Thank you for the gift of life. And I ask that you be with her in a special way as she grows up to be the person you intended her to be. Amen.

Blessed Holy Week!

In Christ,
-g-

March 28, 2021
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion; St. Tutilo 
  • At the Procession with Palms

  • At the Mass


  • At the Procession with Palms

    GOSPEL

    When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone should say to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ reply, ‘The Master has need of it and will send it back here at once.’” So they went off and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street, and they untied it. Some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They answered them just as Jesus had told them to, and they permitted them to do it. So they brought the colt to Jesus and put their cloaks over it. And he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!” 

    or: 



    When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.” 

    Jesus found an ass and sat upon it, as is written: Fear no more, O daughter Zion; see, your king comes, seated upon an ass’s colt. His disciples did not understand this at first, but when Jesus had been glorified they remembered that these things were written about him and that they had done this for him.



    At the Mass

    FIRST READING

    The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 

    The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.


    RESPONSORIAL PSALM

    R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

    All who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.” 

    R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

    Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.

    R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

    They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots. But you, O LORD, be not far from me; O my help, hasten to aid me. 

    R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? 

    I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the LORD, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” 

    R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?


    SECOND READING

    Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


    VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

    Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.


    GOSPEL

    The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days’ time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. They said, “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.” 

    When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages and the money given to the poor.” They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” 

    Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. 

    On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. 

    When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, “Surely it is not I?” He said to them, “One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” 

    While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 

    Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be.” Then Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” But he vehemently replied, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all spoke similarly. 

    Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch.” He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.” When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand.” 

    Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.” He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.” And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked. 

    They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest’s courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’” Even so their testimony did not agree. The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” Then Jesus answered, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” At that the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards greeted him with blows. 

    While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” But he denied it saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” So he went out into the outer court. Then the cock crowed. The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, “Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean.” He began to curse and to swear, “I do not know this man about whom you are talking.” And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and wept.

    As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. 

    Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted again, “Crucify him.” Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. 

    The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. 

    They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 

    They brought him to the place of Golgotha —which is translated Place of the Skull—. They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 

    Here all kneel and pause for a short time. 

    The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. 

    When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid. 

    or: 



    As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. 

    Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, “Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted again, “Crucify him.” Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. 

    The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. 

    They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 

    They brought him to the place of Golgotha —which is translated Place of the Skull—. They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. 

    At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “Look, he is calling Elijah.” One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down.” 

    Here all kneel and pause for a short time. 

    Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

    Saturday, March 27, 2021

    He Protects


    The WORD today reminds me that God protects his people. 

    Bodyguards or protective agents as they are called nowadays are very important to high value people. They protect their subjects from danger and harm at all cost, even ready to take a bullet for them. That is why people feel secured when they have good and loyal protective agents guarding and protecting them. This is also how we should feel with God protecting and guarding us.

    God will guard his people.

    In the first reading, we see the great plans God has in store for his people. Very assuring and calming. Then the psalmist says that the Lord will guard his people. It probably is a prelude to what Jesus will go through. We see in the gospel that there were already plots to kill him. It is assuring that God will guard him from harm, aside from the passion he was to experience. No human is powerful enough to harm Jesus to prohibit him from doing God’s workNo matter how powerful leaders were back then, their evil plans could not stop Jesus from proclaiming God’s kingdom and doing God’s work.

    No matter how powerful or influential people are, they are not powerful enough to disrupt God in using you to do his work.

    God protects his people, and as we continue to love and serve him, we should be assured that his power is greater than anyone or anything. Nothing happens without his permission, and we need not fear others as we live and serve him.  

    Same is true with the situation now. The corona virus is still a powerful enemy. We may feel scared. We may feel hopeless, especially when we see how our leaders are responding. However, we are God’s children. God is all powerful and all loving. We just need to trust in him and do our part. 

    Do I realize how powerful God is? Is God’s assurance enough for me to live confidently? What is God reminding me today? Do I trust in God, even with what we are going through? 

    May we never forget how powerful and protective God is, and hold on his word and promise of love and protection.

    Father God,
    Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another weekend. Thank you for all the blessings. Lord, thank you for your promise of protection. Sorry for the times I forget this. Sorry for the times I do not believe this, especially during challenging situations. Sorry for doubting and forgetting you. I ask that you continue to remind me of how powerful and loving you are. You have always been there to protect me. May I always remember those times. May I always remember your protection and faithfulness. May this lead me to live brave, knowing that the most powerful God is protecting me all the way. I remain calm and remain to have faith in you in this challenging time. I trust you. Amen.

    Blessed Weekend!

    In Christ,
    -g-

    Ps
    See related reflection:

    March 27, 2021
    5th Week of Lent - Saturday; St. John of Egypt

    FIRST READING

    Thus says the Lord GOD:
    I will take the children of Israel from among the nations to which they have come, and gather them from all sides to bring them back to their land. I will make them one nation upon the land, in the mountains of Israel, and there shall be one prince for them all. Never again shall they be two nations, and never again shall they be divided into two kingdoms. 

    No longer shall they defile themselves with their idols, their abominations, and all their transgressions. I will deliver them from all their sins of apostasy, and cleanse them so that they may be my people and I may be their God. My servant David shall be prince over them, and there shall be one shepherd for them all; they shall live by my statutes and carefully observe my decrees. They shall live on the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where their fathers lived; they shall live on it forever, they, and their children, and their children’s children, with my servant David their prince forever. I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Thus the nations shall know that it is I, the LORD, who make Israel holy, when my sanctuary shall be set up among them forever.


    RESPONSORIAL PSALM

    R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. 

    Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, proclaim it on distant isles, and say: He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together, he guards them as a shepherd his flock. 

    R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. 

    The LORD shall ransom Jacob, he shall redeem him from the hand of his conqueror. Shouting, they shall mount the heights of Zion, they shall come streaming to the LORD’s blessings: The grain, the wine, and the oil, the sheep and the oxen. 

    R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock. 

    Then the virgins shall make merry and dance, and young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console and gladden them after their sorrows. 

    R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.


    VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL

    Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the Lord, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.


    GOSPEL

    Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and seen what Jesus had done began to believe in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we going to do? This man is performing many signs. If we leave him alone, all will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our land and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing, nor do you consider that it is better for you that one man should die instead of the people, so that the whole nation may not perish.” He did not say this on his own, but since he was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to kill him. 

    So Jesus no longer walked about in public among the Jews, but he left for the region near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, and there he remained with his disciples. 

    Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before Passover to purify themselves. They looked for Jesus and said to one another as they were in the temple area, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast?”