PENTECOST SUNDAY

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THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRITY ADVOCATE AND SANCTIFIER

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid… I will not leave you an orphan… The Spirit will teach you…inspire you…remind you of my word…and call to mind your sins that you may be reconciled and live… He will teach you through my church and proclaim the good news… John 16:7-16

AUGUSTINE PRAYER TO HOLY SPIRIT

 Breathe into me, Holy Spirit,

that my thoughts may all be holy.

Move in me, Holy Spirit,

that my work, too, may be holy.

Attract my heart, Holy Spirit,

that I may love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,

that I may defend all that is holy.

Protect me, Holy Spirit,

that I may always be holy.  Amen.

 INTRODUCTION

The Jewish festival of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, was first spoken of in Exodus 23:16 as “the feast of harvest,” and again in Exodus 34:22 as “the day of the first fruits. This Jewish feast celebrates the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.

The Christian feast of Pentecost is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, We mark it as the birthday of the Church when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of fire.

The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, equal to the Father and equal to the Son.  The term Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruach, meaning breath or air. His presence on the world stage is made known in Scripture in its earliest book, Genesis.

In the First Creation Story in Genesis 1:2 the Spirit of God was moving over the face of deep waters, bringing order out of chaos. In the Second Creation Story, Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the land and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”

 

PENTECOST SUNDAY 33 AD

MARY AND THE APOSTLES IN THE UPPER ROOM

 “When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” Acts 2:1-3

While the Holy Apostles were generally ignorant of the Holy Spirit at this time, the Immaculate Mary knew the Spirit intimately. Mary was possessed by the Holy Spirit and filled with grace at the first moment of her existence. (Immaculate Conception)

Moreover, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary in a powerful way at the virginal conception of Christ our Lord. The Holy Spirit overshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation and she conceived the body of Christ, Our Lord.

The Holy Spirit at Pentecost mystically conceives the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church.

Through the Holy Spirit, our faith is awakened.  We are inspired to know Jesus and the One who sent Him.  The Holy Spirit stirs up in us repentance for sin and conversion.  Until the end of time, the Spirit guides, protects, and inspires the Church of Christ and its members.

Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life.

REFLECTION

  “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  John 14:25-26

 How do I interact with the Holy Spirit? What prayers do I say?   

 Do I call on Him, before reading scripture…before making difficult decisions…   for protection against temptation?

 How can my relationship to the Spirit assist me to overcome tendencies in pride, anger, lust, greed, envy, excess, and laziness…

 Do I ever thank the Holy Spirit for his assistance?

 

ASCENSION THURSDAY MAY 29 2025

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INTRODUCTION

Ascension is one of the earliest Christian feasts dating back to the year 68 CE. Ascension Thursday, is celebrated forty days after Easter Sunday and ten days prior to Pentecost.

This is a Holy Day of obligation when celebrated on Thursday in the US.  But in many dioceses it has been moved to the following Sunday This meaningful feast celebrates Christ’s entrance into heaven and foreshadows our resurrection and glorification in heaven. It also looks forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and beginning of the church.

JESUS RETURNS TO THE FATHER

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Before Jesus ascends to the Father, He sends His disciples on mission:

Go therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world” Matthew 28:19.

Jesus comforts His disciples with these words:

 …  you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

 …And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, two men stood by them in white garment who said: You men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?  This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven Acts 1:7-12

 REFLECTION

Jesus ascended into heaven by His own power and will come to judge the living and the dead at the end of time by His own power.

Jesus is God. Jesus is our judge now and forever. We are not judges.

Judge not less you be judged in the same manner. Matthew 7:1

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you— the Spirit of truth.  John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit inspires us to make good choices and convicts our conscience when it chooses the wrong path. Pray to the Holy Spirit daily.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,
and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Ascension Thursday should be a day filled with joy and hope that we will one day be resurrected and glorified like Christ.

Christ’s Ascension shows us that his work on earth was completed! God had sent Jesus with a very special mission. When that mission was complete – Jesus joined the Father in heaven.

We, all, are called to mission by virtue of our Baptism. . Go, therefore,* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Matthew 28:19

By Baptism we all have the “mission” of bringing the Gospel message of Jesus to the world.

What does my mission look like?

How am I fulfilling my mission?  What could I do better?

JESUS TAKES HIS THRONE

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy

a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

PSALM 47

 

RERUM NOVARUM REVISITED

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Pope Leo XIII

Rerum Novarum Issued by Pope Leo XIII on May 15, 1891, was groundbreaking in addressing the struggles of the working class and societal challenges during the Industrial Revolution.

Pope Leo XIV chose the papal namesake Leo in honor of Leo XIII (1878–1903) whose encyclical Rerum Novarum established modern Catholic social teaching and promoted labor rights. Leo XIII is widely remembered for his concern for social justice and the rights of workers and the poor.

Pope Leo XIII upholds work as both honorable and essential to human life. (Rerum Novarum, 23)

Employers must pay a just wage—and ensure safe working conditions.” (Rerum Novarum, 45)—

Workers, in turn, are called to fulfill their duties with diligence and respect their employers’ property (Rerum Novarum, 20)

Pope Leo XIII emphasizes the Church’s long history of caring for the poor and criticizes efforts to replace its charitable works with state-run welfare systems. . (Rerum Novarum, 30)

REFLECTION

JESUS THE WORKER

Rerum Novarum stresses that all workers, regardless of social status, deserve respect and fair treatment. It calls for an end to exploitation and the unjust hardships placed upon the working class.

Before Jesus’ public life he learned much of his humanity with Joseph in the carpenter shop. What was good enough for Jesus should be good enough for me!

Employers and workers share mutual responsibilities, each owing to the other fairness and respect.

It is important that workers, most of us, be respectful of the goods we are given to work with… that we are good stewards.

The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it Genesis 2:15

We must not put charitable giving off to the state that can impose a lot of restrictions and condition which may create a moral dilemma.  We must give . Almsgiving is essential for a Christian.

 

We have to look together how to be a missionary Church,

building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone

  Pope Leo XIV

 

 

SOCIAL JUSTICE IS MORE THAN CHARITY!

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POPE LEO XIV

                      God loves us, all of us, evil will not prevail. Without fear, united, hand in hand with God among ourselves, we will go forward.

THE GOSPEL OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne and all the nations* will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me

 Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?  And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me…..  

We practicing Christians take Matthew 25 very seriously.  It tends to sum up the whole Gospel of Jesus that we are to love God and our neighbor.  In fact, the most practical way of showing our love for God is how we love our neighbor.  At the end of Mass we are dismissed with the words go in peace and live the Gospel.

LAST JUDGMENT DISCOURSE MATTHEW 25:21 – 43

 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

CCC 2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God:.

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC #1907) states that the Common Good presupposes respect for each person.  It requires the social well-being and development of everyone, including food, clothing, shelter, health care, work, education etc.  It requires peace and justice for security of a just order….  . (CCC 1928-1942, 2419-2449)The fundamental principles of Catholic Social Teaching focus on the dignity and sacredness of each human person, the solidarity that we experience within one another, the promotion of the common good and the proper use and distribution of the goods of this world.  The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches that compassion and love  should extend  to  all   people  whether they are an enemy or outcast.

 

 GOOD SAMARITAN

LUKE 10:37

SCRIPTURE

 On coming into this world, a person is not equipped with everything he needs for developing his bodily and spiritual life.  He needs others.  Talents and gifts are not distributed equally as we see in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians chapter 12.

“Now the body is not a single part, but many.  Even if a foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.  Or if an ear should say, “Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,” it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended…” I Corinthians 12:4-26 

In comparing the human body to the mystical body of Christ-the Church, St. Paul goes on to say, “Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all the more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this….

God has so constructed the body that there may be no divisions in the body so that the parts of the body may have concern for every other part. If (one) part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” Just as it is in the human body so it is in the body of Christ, the Church.”  Corinthians 12:4-11; 14-31

REFLECTION

 Charitable giving is not enough!  In fact someone could do charitable giving for all the wrong reasons, to save on taxes, to feel good about himself, to receive the acclaim of others. We must look at the causes of those in need and address them in our advocacy and at the ballot box.

“Anyone who says I love God and hates his neighbor is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

Don’t blame poverty or lack of resources on God,  He has provided us with all the natural resources we need.  God’s divine plan wills that each will have their needs supplied by their neighbors.  Many Christians will give food or clothing to a needy person but, at the same time, refuse to look at the structures and policies that create poverty in the first place.

We are obliged by justice itself to come to the aid of needy people. The present situation within the world, where some individuals and nations have excess while others lack the basic necessities, is immoral, goes against the teachings of Christ, and must be redressed.

The condemnation of injustice is part of the church’s essential ministry of preaching and is an essential aspect of the church’s prophetic role. At our Baptisms we are called to that prophetic role! Let’s get started!

WE ARE A MISSIONARY CHURCH

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA MAY 13

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OUR LADY APPEARS TO

FRANCISCO, JACINTA, AND LUCIA

May 13 is the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima, Portugal in 1917.

BACKGROUND

 Between May 13 and October 13, 1917, three Portuguese children, Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin Lucia dos Santos received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria near the city of Fatima. Mary had instructed the children after the first apparition May 13 to meet here the following 5 months on the 13th.

Mary asked the children to pray the rosary for world peace, pray for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. Mary gave the children three secrets.

 FATIMA SECRETS

The First Secret: the Vision of Hell

As the Lady was finishing the prayer, she opened her hands again. It revealed a very terrifying scene as the children were shown a vision of hell! It was only for a brief moment that they saw the fires of hell, the ugliest demons, and the poor charred and transparent burning souls of people suffering tremendously.

The Second Secret: WORLD WAR II

 WORLD WAR 1 is going to end.  But if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, (KRISTALLNACHT) know this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father.  

 To prevent this, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart, and the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart.  If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace.

The Third Secret is revealed but Kept Secret at instructions of Blessed Mother.

When Lucia grew up, she wrote down the secret

 THIRD SECRET: ASSASINATION OF A POPE

 Pope John Paul II directed the Holy See’s Secretary of State to reveal the third secret in 2000; it spoke of a “bishop in white.” Many people linked this vision to the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981. 

 “a bishop dressed in white…the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him….,

       LUCIA and FRANCISCO and JACINTA

 In a 1957 interview, Sr. Lucia, elaborated more on Persecution of the Church by adding the diminishment of the shepherding of the Church.  ie. pedophile priest scandals

REFLECTION

One of God’s harshest chastisements is when he permits his people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests in name only.  God cries out through his prophet Jerimiah, “Return, rebellious children and I will appoint for you shepherds after my own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently!” Jeremiah 3:14-15

 Today, where are our shepherds???….a staggering number of Catholic Church leaders have fallen victim to the error of Modernism, the belief that some aspects of Catholic doctrine can change over time. It can’t!

Customs and Church discipline may change over time but not doctrine. Pray that our priests and bishops will be Good Shepherds in imitation of Christ that they may lead us faithfully to the Way, the Truth, and Life, of Jesus Christ.   Jesus did not go along to get along. And neither should we!

Satan, the Father of Lies, will say anything and do anything to entice us to separate from God just as he did with our first parents, Adam and Eve, …God knows well that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know* good and evil.

Genesis 3:5

 REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!

 

SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER MAY 1

CATHOLIC COMMENTARY, CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

PATRON SAINT OF WORKERS

On May 1, Russia, paraded troops in Red Square to show their latest military hardware in front of huge, stage-managed crowds to celebrate the might of their working class.

In 1955 the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker was promulgated by Pope Pius XII to be observed on May 1. This feast was added to the Church calendar to counter the Communist May Day celebrations.

 Saint Joseph is a faithful practicing Jewish man from the line of David and Foster father of Jesus.  St Joseph is a humble carpenter who knew what it was to work hard, often for meagre pay, in order to earn a living to support his wife and foster child. It was the Will of God that Joseph and his foster-Son Jesus should spend their days together in manual labor.

 By the daily labor in his shop, St. Joseph provided for the necessities of his holy spouse and of the Incarnate Son of God. He became a role model for laborers. The liturgy for this feast not only celebrates the dignity of work but the right to work.

Jesus, too, was a carpenter who learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. God allowed Himself to be taught carpentry skills by Saint Joseph in order to show us what sanctity can be attached to the simple and humble role of a workman

By work, human-kind fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth “The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it.” Genesis 2:15

Humanity is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ. .

REFLECTION.

Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.  We were created with a vocation to work. (Genesis 2:15) Work is a path to growth, human development and personal fulfillment.

How do I view work?

 St. Joseph. Jesus’ earthly father, served as a model of manhood, demonstrating work ethic, faith, and love for God and family. Jesus learned what it was to be a human being from St. Joseph.

Do I have a mentor?

St. Joseph shows us the importance of sharing skills with others, as he did when Jesus served as his apprentice.  In these hard times we ask for St. Joseph’s intercession to find good, productive work for all those who are searching.

PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH

O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench…cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus, , obtain for us the grace to work conscientiously with peace and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and frustration, Teach us also to value lives of hidden splendor.  Saint Joseph, we implore your powerful intercession in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings, particularly the grace of a happy death,

 

PATRON SAINT OF HAPPY DEATH

 

1 JOHN CHAPTER 1

SCRIPTURE

The Word of Life

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands is the Word of life

the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Fathe and was made visible to us—

what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

REFLECTION

Before we were was the Word and the Word was made flesh!  We are to PROCLAIM this truth with all our minds, all our hearts, and all our souls.

It is not enough to keep the word to ourselves.  We are meant tp be in relationship in image of the Most Holy Trinity as we journey home. Leave no one behind!

Rejoice, we are Easter people!

God is Light.

Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light,* and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. 

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

If we say, “We are without sin,” we deceive ourselves,* and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.  If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

REFLECTION

To walk in light or darkness is to live according to truth or error.

Fellowship with God and with one another consists in a life according to the truth as found in God and in Christ.

Denial of the condition of sin is self-deception. Forgiveness and deliverance from sin through Christ are assured through acknowledgment of them and repentance.

Embrace the LIGHT! Sometimes it may make us uncomfortable while we are being pruned but once pruned we are acceptable for homecoming.

EASTER SUNDAY ALLELUIA!

HOLY WEEK

INTRODUCTION

The Resurrection of Jesus is the central pillar of our Faith. “If Christ did not rise, our Faith is in vain.” I Cor. 15:14. 

 In His resurrection, Jesus overcame death, the consequence of sin.  Because of Jesus, we are no longer bound to sin or death but are liberated from both sin and death through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Hebrews 6:5, Paul writes, “As in Adam all die, so also, in Christ, shall all be made alive.  We live now not according to the flesh but according to the spirit.”

Christ’s resurrection takes place in history, in real time, and in real space.  This real historical event is attested to by hundreds of eye witnesses after his resurrection.  Acts 1:22

Some of the historical facts to support the resurrection are: the empty tomb and burial cloth discovered by John and Peter John 20:2, The eyewitness account of Mary Magdalene John 19:31, the eyewitness accounts of the apostles in the upper room, Easter evening John 20:19-23

HE IS RISEN ALLELUIA!

REFLECTION

 The final enemy Jesus must face down is death by His own death, a death on the cross. Oh, death, where is thy sting! 1 Corinthians 15:55

“Faith in the Resurrection is the basis of our hope in the inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”  I Peter 1:4

 For those disciples who follow Jesus…the same fate awaits…a glorious resurrection of our bodies on the last day…eyes have not seen…ears have not heard what await those who love Jesus…1 Corinthians 2:9

He is risen…He is alive…He goes before us….do not be afraid… the risen Lord has not gone away…He remains with us in the sacraments…in our faith…in our praye

EYE WITNESSES TO THE EMPTY TOMB

 “On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb.  So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.”

 Peter and John ran to the tomb and saw the burial cloths and the cloth that covered his head.  They did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead and they returned home.

.But Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been.  And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.”  When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. 

 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. 

MARY!

She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”

 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 of Magdala went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her.”  John 20:1-18

REFLECTION

Mary was weeping because she could not find her Lord…

Do we weep when we feel the Lord is not near?

Jesus appears to Mary, Mary did not recognize Him until He addressed her by name…

Listen for when Jesus calls me by name because He does…sometimes a whisper

Rejoice and be glad, for Jesus died and rose for me personally!

CHRIST VICTORIOUS

 

HOLY SATURDAY

HOLY WEEK

BEYOND THE CROSS

INTRODUCTION

Jesus did not go to sleep from Good Friday until Easter Sunday.  He has a mission from the Father to announce his victory over sin and death to those in the abode of the dead, Sheol in Hebrew, Hades in Greek and Hell in English.

Today there is great silence upon the earth, great silence and solitude. Great silence because the King sleeps … God died in the flesh… God, made man, entered into the extreme and absolute solitude of man, where no ray of love enters, where there is total abandonment without any word of comfort: “hell”.

According to Church Tradition, after dying on Good Friday, Jesus descended to the depths of the dead to preach His message to them, liberating all holy men and women held captive in past centuries.

 The People in the abode of the dead are deprived of the vision of God. The experiences of those in the abode of the dead are different, some await the bosom of Abraham; some await damnation eternal separation from God. CCC 631-637

THE LORD’S DESCENT INTO HELL

ANCIENT HOMILY FOR HOLY SATURDAY

“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages.

He wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains…

When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: ‘My Lord be with you all.’ And Christ in reply says to Adam: And with your spirit.

And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,… I am your God, Come forth, those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.

I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person….

Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.

‘See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back.  My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades…arise, let us go hence.

The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven.

“The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”

JESUS WELCOMES HIS BRIDE, THE CHURCH

 

 

 

GOOD FRIDAY

HOLY WEEK

BETRAYAL ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

 They came out to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane like he was a robber, led by Judas his betrayer who betrayed him with a kiss.  Jesus, showing no animosity to Judas called him friend.

In chains they brought Jesus before the high priest where he was mocked, struck and spat upon.  The chief priests and elders condemned Jesus to death.   Meanwhile in the high priest’s court yard Peter denied he knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed.

Peter repented and wept bitterly.

REFLECTION

How often do I betray Jesus and turn my back on him?    

 Do I repent and ask for forgiveness, return to Jesus like Peter or like Judas stay away and separate myself from Jesus?

The Jewish leaders took Jesus before Pilate the Roman Governor, because under Roman law the Jews had no right to carry out the death penalty.  Pilate found no guilt in Jesus and tried to trade Jesus for a horrific revolutionary and murderer, Barabbas, but incited by the chief priests, the crowd cried out for Barabbas.

Pilate feared the crowds, so he had Jesus scourged.  Once more, Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”

 BEHOLD THE MAN!

JOHN 19:1-6

The chief priests and the guards cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood….”They cried out “let his blood be on us and our children”!

THE CRUCIFIXION

 Jesus is led out to be crucified, carrying the crossbeam of the cross himself.  Because of the severe scourging at the pillar, Jesus soon falters and the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to assist in carrying the cross..  .

At the place of the skulls, Golgotha, the soldiers nailed his hands to the cross beam, attached the cross beam to the vertical beam already in place then nailed his precious feet. The soldiers then cast lots for His discarded garments.

REFLECTION

 What a difference a few days make.  Today Jesus’ precious feet are nailed to a cross.  A few days ago in Bethany in the home of Lazarus, they were anointed by Mary and embraced with love and kisses. 

Do I embrace my Savior or nail him to the cross again? 

Jesus overcame hate with love, death with his own life.  “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:31. 

Do I forgive others, even unpleasant ones?

 Jesus looked on His mother and the disciple He loved and said, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” John 19:25

From the cross Jesus gives us one of our greatest gifts, His Mother Mary.  Mary is the finest intercessor with her Son, Jesus.  Don’t forget Mother Mary when you need something from the Son.!

 Do I ask Mary to intercede?

Bowing His head Jesus expired. “it is finished, and giving a loud cry, Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.” When the centurion who stood facing him saw how Jesus breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39.

 

“They will look upon whom they have pierced…when I am lifted up,

I will draw all things to me…who ever looks upon me and believes will be saved”

John 12:32

The pagan centurion gave witness, “Truly this was the Son of God!”  What prompts me to recognize God in my life? Do we ever bear witness to these God events to others? 

The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn from top to bottom in two. No longer is God separated from his people by some veil, Jesus is the New Temple. Jesus is available now to everyone who seeks Him.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6

BURIAL OF JESUS

 Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Having brought a linen cloth, Joseph took Jesus 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.

 CONCLUSION

 The burial of Jesus is not the end of the story.  Jesus descended to the abode of the dead to announce the good news…that soon those in Sheol will join Him in the exodus to eternal life…neither the tomb nor death will hold Jesus… Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!