THE HOLY WEEK
As we prepare for and commence the Holy Week across Christendom, the week that changed the world forever, it is good for us to reflect deeply on the words written below, not only for us alone but especially to share with others.
Starting from the first day of the Holy Week (Palm Sunday) until the the last day (Easter Sunday), it is good to come back often to this page to read and meditate on the Bible passages and words therein and remind ourselves of them, not just to know them by heart but to have them ingrained in us so that we live and practice them daily.
On Palm Sunday we commemorate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. On this joyful day He was surrounded by throngs of people singing His praises and marveling at all the miracles He had performed. Here, at the beginning of Holy Week, let us take some time to focus on the things we wanted to accomplish during Lent. Have we made improvements in our prayer life? Have we offered sacrifices to God? Have we given alms or service to those in need? Are we closer to God now than yesterday?
Reading: John 18:1-19:42, Luke 22:39-23:56
As we reflect on the Lord’s Passion and Death, let us renew our commitment to building a deeper and sincere relationship with our Savior. Let us believe in the power of God through His Holy Spirit for this and so step out in faith.
Monday of Holy Week is a day of waiting. Just as in the Christmas carol we sing, “Let every heart prepare Him room”, we must also prepare our hearts for the sorrows of the Triduum. Even though Monday can be the most hectic day of the week, don’t forget to carve out some quiet time for yourself today. Get up a little earlier to do the readings for the day. Find a quiet place to sit at lunch and read your favorite spiritual book. Gather your family to pray at the end of the day. These are all excellent examples for integrating the spirit of the Holy Week into your day.
Reading: John 11:1-53
As we reflect on Our Lord raising Lazarus from the dead, let us ask Jesus to raise us above any and all obstacles that prevent us from drawing nearer to Him. TODAY is the day to draw near to Him!
Today we continue our waiting and preparation as we approach Good Friday. Just as you did yesterday reserve some time to “Be still and know that (He) is God” (Psalm 46:10). If possible, make a Holy Hour today and visit with Our Lord in deep prayer during the day. During His agony in the garden on Holy Thursday Jesus asks His disciples to pray with Him. If you don’t have a lot of time, or if you find an hour is too long to stay focused, try going for 15-20 minutes. You will be amazed to find that even this brief break in your day can refresh your soul!
Reading: Luke 22:1-65
As we reflect on Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and the other betrayals including that of Peter, let us search our own lives sincerely to identify weaknesses or temptations that beset us often and cause us to betray Our Lord. We must be sincere in identifying them and bringing them before Our God in prayer. On our part, we must become careful to always AVOID such besetting sins.
As we reach the middle of the Holy Week our waiting turns to anticipation. Spending a little time in prayer each day has helped us to identify some of our weakness and times we need to turn quickly to Christ for help. Spend some of your daily prayer time doing an examination of conscience.
Reading: Isaiah 53
As we reflect on Isaiah’s words foretelling Our Lord’s suffering, let us seek forgiveness for times we have caused others to suffer. Let us make up our minds that henceforth, we will only be vessels of joy and healing in the lives of our neighbors.
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)
Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
As we reflect on Paul’s remembrance of the Last Supper, let us ask for the grace we need to truly believe in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and to approach the altar with reverence and awe. Let us also pray for grace to continually be 'self-conscious' of Christ in our hearts through the power of His Holy Spirit who lives in us, so that we may continually continue in a life of holiness always.
How many times have we deliberately fallen into sin knowingly and made a mockery of such great sufferings? How many times have we rejected such mighty divine power of healing for our lives, simply out of stubbornness in sin? Hebrews 10:26-27 says, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”
Reading: John 18:1-19:42
As we reflect on Isaiah's words and on John’s recount of Christ’s Passion, let us try to keep an awareness of Our Lord’s suffering in our hearts always. Henceforth, let us make it a habit to reflect often on the great sacrifices which He went through out of love for us and of the mighty gifts of healing available to us through it. Let us pray for grace not to continue to be foolish in rejecting such gifts of mercy and love.
On Holy Saturday we remember how our sorrow and emptiness without Christ is replaced with a growing joy and peace of knowing God. Today, we remember in great anticipation the resurrection of Our Lord.
As we reflect on all of the prior readings, let us rejoice and give thanks to God for our wondrous Salvation History.
Alleluia! He is risen! This is the most joyous feast of the year. Christ’s death and resurrection is the foundation of the Christian Faith. The church is filled with the Spirit of Jesus and with His Light. There is no longer silence as we join our songs of praise with the choirs in heaven. We are reminded of Christ’s promise “I will give you a joy which no one will take from you.” (John 16:22). Easter is the beginning of our new life with Christ. Although our Lenten Journey is complete, don’t forget to create times of prayer in your daily lives where you can spend time with our Risen Lord. And guard jealously all God has deposited in you during the past few of prayer and meditation.
Reading: Matthew 28:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12-49
As we reflect on today’s readings, let us ask the Risen Christ for the courage and strength we need to take His Light into the world. Amen!
As we prepare for and commence the Holy Week across Christendom, the week that changed the world forever, it is good for us to reflect deeply on the words written below, not only for us alone but especially to share with others.
Starting from the first day of the Holy Week (Palm Sunday) until the the last day (Easter Sunday), it is good to come back often to this page to read and meditate on the Bible passages and words therein and remind ourselves of them, not just to know them by heart but to have them ingrained in us so that we live and practice them daily.
Palm Sunday
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38)On Palm Sunday we commemorate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. On this joyful day He was surrounded by throngs of people singing His praises and marveling at all the miracles He had performed. Here, at the beginning of Holy Week, let us take some time to focus on the things we wanted to accomplish during Lent. Have we made improvements in our prayer life? Have we offered sacrifices to God? Have we given alms or service to those in need? Are we closer to God now than yesterday?
Reading: John 18:1-19:42, Luke 22:39-23:56
As we reflect on the Lord’s Passion and Death, let us renew our commitment to building a deeper and sincere relationship with our Savior. Let us believe in the power of God through His Holy Spirit for this and so step out in faith.
Monday Of Holy Week
“Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)Monday of Holy Week is a day of waiting. Just as in the Christmas carol we sing, “Let every heart prepare Him room”, we must also prepare our hearts for the sorrows of the Triduum. Even though Monday can be the most hectic day of the week, don’t forget to carve out some quiet time for yourself today. Get up a little earlier to do the readings for the day. Find a quiet place to sit at lunch and read your favorite spiritual book. Gather your family to pray at the end of the day. These are all excellent examples for integrating the spirit of the Holy Week into your day.
Reading: John 11:1-53
As we reflect on Our Lord raising Lazarus from the dead, let us ask Jesus to raise us above any and all obstacles that prevent us from drawing nearer to Him. TODAY is the day to draw near to Him!
Tuesday Of Holy Week
“I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)Today we continue our waiting and preparation as we approach Good Friday. Just as you did yesterday reserve some time to “Be still and know that (He) is God” (Psalm 46:10). If possible, make a Holy Hour today and visit with Our Lord in deep prayer during the day. During His agony in the garden on Holy Thursday Jesus asks His disciples to pray with Him. If you don’t have a lot of time, or if you find an hour is too long to stay focused, try going for 15-20 minutes. You will be amazed to find that even this brief break in your day can refresh your soul!
Reading: Luke 22:1-65
As we reflect on Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, and the other betrayals including that of Peter, let us search our own lives sincerely to identify weaknesses or temptations that beset us often and cause us to betray Our Lord. We must be sincere in identifying them and bringing them before Our God in prayer. On our part, we must become careful to always AVOID such besetting sins.
Wednesday Of Holy Week
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive!” (Psalm 69:33)As we reach the middle of the Holy Week our waiting turns to anticipation. Spending a little time in prayer each day has helped us to identify some of our weakness and times we need to turn quickly to Christ for help. Spend some of your daily prayer time doing an examination of conscience.
Reading: Isaiah 53
As we reflect on Isaiah’s words foretelling Our Lord’s suffering, let us seek forgiveness for times we have caused others to suffer. Let us make up our minds that henceforth, we will only be vessels of joy and healing in the lives of our neighbors.
Thursday Of Holy Week
On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of the “source and summit” of our Faith – The Holy Eucharist.On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples: “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)
Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
As we reflect on Paul’s remembrance of the Last Supper, let us ask for the grace we need to truly believe in Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and to approach the altar with reverence and awe. Let us also pray for grace to continually be 'self-conscious' of Christ in our hearts through the power of His Holy Spirit who lives in us, so that we may continually continue in a life of holiness always.
Good Friday
“But He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the Lord laid upon Him the guilt of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)”How many times have we deliberately fallen into sin knowingly and made a mockery of such great sufferings? How many times have we rejected such mighty divine power of healing for our lives, simply out of stubbornness in sin? Hebrews 10:26-27 says, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”
Reading: John 18:1-19:42
As we reflect on Isaiah's words and on John’s recount of Christ’s Passion, let us try to keep an awareness of Our Lord’s suffering in our hearts always. Henceforth, let us make it a habit to reflect often on the great sacrifices which He went through out of love for us and of the mighty gifts of healing available to us through it. Let us pray for grace not to continue to be foolish in rejecting such gifts of mercy and love.
Holy Saturday – The Easter Vigil
“We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” (Romans 6: 4)On Holy Saturday we remember how our sorrow and emptiness without Christ is replaced with a growing joy and peace of knowing God. Today, we remember in great anticipation the resurrection of Our Lord.
As we reflect on all of the prior readings, let us rejoice and give thanks to God for our wondrous Salvation History.
Easter Sunday – The Resurrection Of The Lord
“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.” (Matthew 28: 5-6)Alleluia! He is risen! This is the most joyous feast of the year. Christ’s death and resurrection is the foundation of the Christian Faith. The church is filled with the Spirit of Jesus and with His Light. There is no longer silence as we join our songs of praise with the choirs in heaven. We are reminded of Christ’s promise “I will give you a joy which no one will take from you.” (John 16:22). Easter is the beginning of our new life with Christ. Although our Lenten Journey is complete, don’t forget to create times of prayer in your daily lives where you can spend time with our Risen Lord. And guard jealously all God has deposited in you during the past few of prayer and meditation.
Reading: Matthew 28:1-20, 1 Corinthians 15:12-49
As we reflect on today’s readings, let us ask the Risen Christ for the courage and strength we need to take His Light into the world. Amen!
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