The Lord is RISEN!

The Lord is, truly, RISEN! Allelulia!

'Let the risen Jesus enter your life, welcome him as a friend, with trust: he is life! If up till now you have kept him at a distance, step forward. He will receive you with open arms. If you have been indifferent, take a risk: you won’t be disappointed. If following him seems difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him, be confident that he is close to you, he is with you and he will give you the peace you are looking for and the strength to live as he would have you do.'

'There is one last little element that I would like to emphasize in the Gospel for this Easter Vigil. The women encounter the newness of God. Jesus has risen, he is alive! But faced with empty tomb and the two men in brilliant clothes, their first reaction is one of fear: “they were terrified and bowed their faced to the ground”, Saint Luke tells us – they didn’t even have courage to look. But when they hear the message of the Resurrection, they accept it in faith. And the two men in dazzling clothes tell them something of crucial importance: “Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee… And they remembered his words” (Lk 24:6,8). They are asked to remember their encounter with Jesus, to remember his words, his actions, his life; and it is precisely this loving remembrance of their experience with the Master that enables the women to master their fear and to bring the message of the Resurrection to the Apostles and all the others (cf. Lk 24:9). To remember what God has done and continues to do for me, for us, to remember the road we have travelled; this is what opens our hearts to hope for the future. May we learn to remember everything that God has done in our lives.' (Pope Francis - Easter Homily)

Paschal Triduum

Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter

By Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI

 The churches the world over celebrate the solemn Triduum of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. It begins with Holy Thursday where the Lord’s Supper (now made famous by Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper Icon) is celebrated. The powerful symbol of this celebration is the washing of the feet of the disciples. 

 The first day (Holy Thursday) tells the story of the Lord’s Supper.  It narrates how Jesus, a Rabbi or Teacher and Lord, ‘assumed the role of slave by stripping off his outer garment and girded himself with a towel, and he began washing the disciples’ feet’ (John 13: 4-5). It was so shocking a behavior for a Lord and Master that Peter could NOT believe it and he said to the Lord: ‘NO, You would NEVER wash my feet’. 

 The washing of the feet has become a powerful symbol of how the followers of Jesus are to relate to one another  - by serving one another. The gesture is a powerful illustration not only of ‘reversing’ the role of leadership in the community of disciples but also of how the followers of Jesus are to love to one another.  It is actually the witness of Jesus’ entire life. 

 As told in he Letter to the Philippians, Jesus though was in the form of God, emptied (kenosis) himself and taking the form of a servant and he became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Phil. 2: 5-8)).

 The disciples, confronted by such an example, are, likewise, challenged to follow Jesus’ way and give themselves as SERVANTS.  It is NOT and option for the followers of Jesus but a DUTY!

 The second day is Good Friday or the celebration of the Lord’s Passion.  The narrative of St. John’s Passion tells us that the events of this day are NOT bloodless or cold.  The depiction of Mel Gibson’s movie, the Passion, is gory and bloody! 

 Definitely, Good Friday narrates Jesus’ suffering, pain, disappointment, grief and death on the cross.  The story of Good Friday makes us confront even the ultimate choice – the loss of life and not only the loss of life but also what appears as to be the loss of hope, of meaning and purpose and even loss of everything that makes life precious.

 Through the celebration of the Lord’s Passion, we again experience the ‘terror of Jesus’ arrest in the night, the uncertainty of his trials before the Sanhedrin, before Herod and ultimately before Pilate, the degradation of mockery, the shame of denial and the desolation of death.

 But all throughout the narrative of Good Friday, there is a recurring thread that runs. It is the LOVE of Jesus for us beyond all measure.  His life is a RANSOM for us all that we may have life to the full.  It shows us the PRICE paid by Jesus for us to have life and freedom in order to become God’s sons and daughters.

 The third day (Easter Vigil on the night of Holy Saturday) is the apex of all the celebrations – the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection.  It begins with the blessing of the new fire, celebrating that Jesus is the light of the world that now kindles in us a new hope.

 The Easter proclamation is a powerful message that Christians no longer live in fear or despair.  The Resurrection of Lord does not only lift the veil of grief but also empowers all to rise above all the vicissitudes of life with all its up’s and down’s.  It is the proclamation of hope over despair, life over death and grace over sin.

 Jesus, our light, dispels all the darkness of life.  The Risen Lord has vanquished death and the flame of the Resurrection continues to burn bravely casting out all hatred, bitterness and darkness in life.

 The Liturgy of the Word during the celebration of the Easter Vigil reminds all of the history of salvation by narrating from the very beginning how God continues to save his people throughout the history of humankind.  And in the fullness of time, Jesus, the Son of God, brings to perfection by his death and resurrection this saving work that God has begun in us from the beginning of time.

 The empty tomb has become the powerful symbol that Jesus is NOT among the dead. He is Risen from the dead and he is going ahead to our own Galilee to meet us there.

 This is the day, when we all renew our Baptismal promises and pledge once again to be the people God wants us to be!

 HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL!

Short Meditation on the 7 Last Words...

Short Meditation on the Seven Last Words

By Fr. Jun Mercado, OMI

First Meditation: “Father Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Jesus experienced abandonment in his moments of trials and difficulties.  His own friends abandoned him and fled for safety.  One of his chosen ones betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver. His own people disowned him. And they hailed him to foreign power to be tried and condemned to die. 

In all his pains and sufferings, he lovingly looked at them and even as he heard their jeering, he said: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."

When we feel betrayed and abandoned... may we remember Jesus' words... and learn to forgive.  

Second Meditation: “Today, you will be with me in paradise…”

One of the thieves nailed to the cross with Jesus, exclaimed: "Lord, remember me when you enter into your kingdom."  And Jesus replied: "Amen I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise."

We are all sinners... Paradise is NOT a reward of our hard work or strivings.  No, we do NOT merit the kingdom of God! 

Paradise is NOT earned...! It is a GIFT!  We pray for that gift... and like the thief on his side, we cry to God: "Lord, remember me..." 

Yes, God remembers us always... and God remembers us with loving compassion.

Likewise, we are invited to remember God always... May God's name and compassion be always in our lips and hearts.

 Third Meditation:  To his mother, Jesus said: “woman, here is your son”.  And to his disciple: “here is your mother.”

In his agony, Jesus saw the pain of his mother… he looked at her with love and entrusted her to his disciple:  “woman, here is your son”.  And to his disciple standing by the cross, Jesus said: “here is your mother.” 

Tradition has it that Jesus, on his way to Golgotha where he would be crucified, met his mother.  There are three important scenes depicted in the traditional Stations of the Cross. The first was the meeting of mother and son on the way to Calvary.  Second was the scene where Mary, the women and his beloved disciple were standing at the foot of the cross. And third was the scene when Jesus was taken from the cross and laid on his mother’s lap.  This last scene had inspired great artists and the most prominent was the great Michelangelo that gave us the famous Pieta.

 Yes, Mary was always there in the life and work of her son… In this meditation Jesus is speaking to us and gives us his mother… to be our mother, too!   He speaks to her mother and tells her… that we, now, are her sons and daughters!  And today, Mary – our mother is always there, too, in our life…

Fourth Meditation:  “I am thirsty.”

Nailed on the cross, Jesus felt thirst… and he cried out: “I am thirsty.”  This cry of anguish echoes the cry of the poor.   In many places in the world – in urban and rural settings, we find the poor who cry out, as well, in their loud voice: “I am thirsty.”  Often this is a cry of the real physical thirst – no drinking water, no washing water, no toilet facilities.  At times, this is a cry of anguish, because they find “no exit” from the “hole” of poverty that is akin to a quicksand that drowns them.  At other times, this is a cry that seeks solidarity from people – looking for a helping hand… an extra shirt or a walk of an extra mile. 

Jesus in his thirst expresses his solidarity with us… it is the thirst that invites us, also, to be in solidarity with our neighbor… But who is our neighbor?  Is this not the very question that the doctor of the law asked Jesus in the parable of the Good Samaritan? 

Fifth Meditation:  “Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabbactani” My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me.”

Towards the end, Jesus experienced a near despair! He was abandoned; He was in extreme pain; and He could not understand the tragedy that was unfolding… He cried out to his father: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…” 

This cry reminds of the song, Foot Prints in the Sand.  It was the same experience of being abandoned in times of great pain and difficulty… Speaking to Lord, the person asked: “Lord, why have you abandoned me… for I see only a set of foot prints?”  The Lord answered, “no my child, when you see only a set of foot prints… those where the times that I carried you in my arm…”

 God is there… God carries us in his arms… when we, too, see only a set of foot prints… they are God’s and not ours…!

Sixth Meditation: “Father, into your hand, I commend my spirit…”

The end has come and Jesus, totally trusting his Father, cried out: “Father, into your hand, I commend my spirit.” 

There are things we do not understand… The tragedy and grandeur of life, often, escape us.  In fact, to understand life… we need to bend our knees… and like Jesus in the cross, we, too, need to completely put our trust in God. 

When everything is said and done… it is only God’s mercy and love that endure… Yes, we need to make that leap of faith… “Father, into thy hand, I commend my whole life!” 

Seventh Meditation:  “It is finished.”

Before breathing his last, Jesus said: “it is finished.”  Yes, he completed his mission to the last…!  He paid the full price for our freedom to become God’s sons and daughters.  He was the “ransom” for our freedom!

 Romans 8: 31- 39, beautifully, expresses that new dignity purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ: 

 “What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 As it is written, “for thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Spirit, the Water and the Blood

THE SPIRIT, THE WATER AND THE BLOOD

These are symbols, the stuff of mysticism and iconography, more than literal, common sense concepts. As with a lot of other religious language, they attempt to create an imaginative construct for something that's unimaginable and to give words to something that's ineffable. And, like all good religious language, these words point to realities beneath common-sense conception.



"The Spirit", as defined in Scripture, refers to everything that's the opposite of jealousy, selfishness, greed, and deceit. As Paul defines it, "the spirit" is "charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, long-suffering, fidelity, gentleness, and chastity." These realities make God present and testify to the existence of God in a way that few other things do. By their very nature too, they're realities that take us outside of ourselves and cannot be programmed for our own advantage. 



What is "the water"? Biblically it's an expression for sacrament, for the way God's ineffable presence can be given to us through certain concrete symbols; a water-bath, a sharing of bread and wine, an anointing with oil, a laying on of hands. It speaks of mystery, namely, that God is always beyond us, unimaginable in existence and presence, and yet so near that this presence is so overwhelming, simple, and direct that it's best grasped and related to through certain concrete physical things. Jesus did that during his time on earth. He was, and remains, the primary sacrament of God.

And finally, there's "the blood". This refers to self-sacrifice, the giving away of one's life for others to the point of giving one's own blood, and the carrying of tension (to the point of sweating blood) rather than violating or disrespecting the deep contours of life. Jesus' giving of his own life for others, so aptly symbolized by his sweating and shedding his blood, is the prime example of this.

(Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI)

3rd Sunday of Lent (C)

The Dhikr for the 3^rd Sunday in Lent (C)

The readings are Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; and Luke 13:1-9

Selected Passage:  'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. (So) cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?' (Luke 13: 7)

Reflection:  Years have we been living on this earth, yet the same question is asked of us… do we bear fruit for others?  Beware… else we too are cut down! Why should we exhaust the soil when we neither bear fruit nor give shade for others to reap…

DHIKR PRAYER SIMPLE METHOD...

Dhikr is an Arabic word for remembrance. In the “tariqa” (the way) movement, Dhikr developed into a form of prayer… It is a prayer of the heart… following three simple steps:

1. Write in one’s heart a certain passage of the Holy Writ…

2. Make the same passage ever present in one’s lips. 

3. Then wait for God’s disclosure on the meaning of the passage…that interprets one’s life NOW…!

It takes a week of remembering (dhikr)…or even more days to relish the beauty of this method…