GOD’S COVENANTAL PROMISES

SCRIPTURE

The Promise of a Savior!

God chose to reveal His plan of salvation through His Covenantal promises. Covenants and contracts are not the same. . In a covenant you exchange your very being, “I am yours and you are mine.” In a contract, you exchange something you have – a skill, a piece of property, money.

The difference between covenant and contract in the Old Testament and throughout the Bible is profound. it’s the difference between prostitution (contract) and marriage (covenant). Or between owning a slave (contract) and having a son (covenant.)  .

Biblical Covenants
1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26–2:3)
2. Noah and his family (Genesis 9:8-17)
3. Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-14; 22:16-18)
4. Moses and the Israelites (Exodus 19:5-6; 3:4-10; 6:7)
5. David and the Kingdom of Israel (2 Samuel 7:8-19)
6. Jesus and the Church (Matthew 26:28; 16:17-19)
Each covenant in the Bible contain

* Mediator (the person God makes the covenant with) and his covenant role (whom the mediator represents);
* the blessings promises in the covenant;
* the conditions of the covenant;
* the “sign” by which the covenant will be celebrated and remembered. 
* the “form” that God’s family becomes as a result of the covenant.

The Covenant with Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26–2:3)

Adam is the covenant mediator in his role as husband. God promises blessings – that their union will be fruitful and their offspring will fill the earth and rule over it. God establishes a sign by which the covenant will be remembered and celebrated – the Sabbath, the seventh day of rest.  God imposes one condition that they must keep to fulfill their obligation under the covenant – that they not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And God attaches a curse for disobedience – that they will surely die. By this covenant, God’s family assumes the form of the marriage bond between husband and wife.

  

The Covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:8-17)

God promises never again to destroy the world by flood. The covenant is made with all humanity, through the mediator, Noah, in his role as the father of his family.

The covenant includes blessings to Noah and his family (that they will be fruitful and fill the earth) and conditions that must be obeyed (not to drink the blood of any animals, not to shed human blood). The sign of the covenant is the rainbow in the sky. By this covenant, God’s people assumes the form of a domestic household, an extended family.

The Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-14; 22:16-18)

God promises to give Abraham a great land and to bless his descendants. God makes the covenant with the mediator Abraham in his representative role as chieftain. God promises the blessings of land and a great nationhood for his descendants, and through them to bless all the nations of the earth.

The sign of the covenant is the mark of circumcision.  an outward physical sign of the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people.  For the Israelites. circumcision was a religious rite representing God’s blessings and Israel obedience to God. Circumcision and what it represents is also the condition that Abraham and his descendants must obey in order to keep the covenant. By this covenant, God’s family takes a “tribal” form.

REFLECTION

 God’s covenant with Abraham is a promise of a great nation as long as they keep the sign of the covenant.  Of course, we know from history the many times Israel  lost their great nation by straying from God’s will, the Syrians, the Persions, the Romans…

How is our nation doing today?  What is my part in bringing our nation back to God?

 The Covenant with Moses (Exodus 19:5-6; 3:4-10; 6:7)

By this covenant, made with the mediator Moses in his representative role as the judge and liberator of Israel, God swears to be Israel’s God and Israel swears to worship no other but the Lord God alone. The blessings promised are that they will be God’s precious chosen people.

The conditions of the covenant are that they must keep God’s Law and commandments.  The covenant sign is the Passover, which each year commemorates Israel’s birth as a nation. God’s family assumes the form of a “holy nation, a kingdom of priests.”

REFLECTION

 Israel swears to worship no other God but the Lord God alone!

How about us?  How many false gods out there tempt us, riches?, fame,? pleasure? …

When we fall to temptation what do we do? do we deny it, make excuses, or reconcile with God?

The Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:8-19)
God promises to establish the mediator David’s “house” or kingdom forever. through David’s heir, To David in his role as king, God promises to make David’s son His son, to punish David if he does wrong but never take away his royal throne. “Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever.” Through the blessings of this kingdom, God promises to give wisdom to all the nations. The sign of the covenant will be the throne and Temple to be built by David’s son, Solomon. By this covenant, God’s family grows to take the form of a royal empire, a national kingdom.

 

I AM THE WAY,THE TRUTH, THE LIFE

The sixth and final covenant is made through the mediator Jesus, who by His Cross and Resurrection assumes the role of royal high priest and fulfills all the promises God made in the previous covenants.

The Bible isn’t simply a collection of separate poems and histories and prophecies written over the course of centuries. It’s one book that tells a single story.  The Bible is the story of God’s love for His people. It’s the story of how God slowly and patiently unfolded his plan for the world, how He taught His people the reason they were created – to share His life with Him, to be part of His family, to be His children.  He wants us to share in His very Being in the most  Blessed Trinity.

 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 death,

even death on a cross.*

Because of this, God greatly exalted him

and bestowed on him the name*

that is above every other name,

Phillipians 2:6-11

 

 

 

 

FEAST OF ANNUNCIATION MARCH 25

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

NOTE: BECAUSE THIS FEAST FELL IN LENT THIS YEAR THE UNITED COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS MOVED THIS SOLEMNITY TO APRIL 8

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary

REFLECTION

 The plan for our salvation originates with God; the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David.

 This fulfills the prophecies of the Savior born of a virgin and born in the line of David and he will rule over the house of David forever. 2 Samuel 7:16

 And coming to her, the Angel said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

 REFLECTION

The angel Gabriel addresses Mary with an expression full of grace, (kecharitomene), Mary is not becoming full of grace; Mary is full of grace now! Mary was preserved from Original Sin from her conception through anticipated merits of Jesus’ Passion and death. 

 But Mary was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. 

 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,* and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

 But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God

 REFLECTION

 Mary questioned the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” Mary would not have asked such a question unless she had made a vow of perpetual virginity which Joseph was willing to accept as conditions of their marriage.   

 Mary’s virginal conception by the power of the Holy Spirit assures us our Savior will have both a Divine Nature and a Human nature. Only God can make adequate atonement for a Divine offense.  And only one with a Human nature may atone on behalf of all humanity  Jesus has both a Divine nature and a Human nature.

 And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:16-36

 REFLECTION

 The Angel Gabriel, gave Mary a sign of God’s omnipotence by announcing Mary’s elderly cousin, Elizabeth, afflicted with sterility all her life is now six months pregnant. Mary did not gloat and hang out with her girlfriends but hurried to her cousin Elizabeth to see how she could be of service to her elderly cousin.

When the pregnant Mary meets her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, Elizabeth greets her by saying, “And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” LUKE 1:43

And the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy! Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant.

When the Ark of the Covenant was brought before David, he danced joyfully in the streets of Jerusalem, saying “How can the ark of the Lord come to me!” 2 SAMUEL 6:9   Now John the Baptist danced in Elizabeth’s womb when greeted by Jesus in Mary’s womb.

 REFLECTION

Do we dance at least figuratively in Jesus’ presence?

Do I say to God be it done according to your will as Mary did?

If not, why not?

God has a mission for me like He did for Mary.

 Do I seek God” plan/mission for me. 

God loved me into existence for a reason. God is a lifelong search. Search for that reason!

MARY THE NEW ARK OF THE COVENANT

MARIAN PRAYER

MEMORARE

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary,

 that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,

implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;

to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,

 but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

 

 

 

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, and 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 prayers

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. John 20:3-4

.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.” 

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…

How do I feel when the Lord does not seem near?

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

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

 Gently Jesus admonishes Mary…she must not cling to him…soon He will be ascending to the Father. Mary must remain his disciples without His physical presence….

Do we today believe in faith that Jesus is present in our lives?

Rejoice and be glad, for Jesus died and rose for each one of us!

May the infinite love of our Risen Lord give us all reason to embrace the mystery of faith and be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ, Savior of the world!

CHRIST VICTORIOUS 

WE ARE AN EASTER PEOPLE AND ALLELUIA IS OUR SONG

 

GOOD FRIDAY

HOLY WEEK

AGONY IN THE GARDEN

 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,* and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,* and began to feel sorrow and distress.

 Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.* Remain here and keep watch with me. He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father,* if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.

Matthew 26:36-39

 

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 showed no animosity to Judas but 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 even knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Peter repented and wept bitterly.

REFLECTION

 We begin our Good Friday reflections with betrayal.  In the Garden Jesus’ best friends fled. Judas whom He loved betrayed Jesus with a kiss.  Later, Peter chosen to head Jesus’ church would deny in the courtyard three times before the cock crowed.

Do I ever betray Jesus and turn my back on him?    

 Do I repent and ask for forgiveness, return to Jesus like Peter?

 Or do I 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.”  So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak.  And Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”

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….

 

BEHOLD THE MAN!

 

REFLECTION

 Still fearful of the crowd, but not wanting the blame, Pilate chose the ritual of washing his hands of this affair.  Pilate tried to excuse himself from any guilt.

 Just because Pilate says he is innocent of this man’s blood does not make it so!

Do I claim innocence when I sin or make excuses like it wasn’t that bad or blame others?

Jews over the centuries have been accused as “Christ killers

Jews are not collectively responsible for Jesus’ death. Catholic Catechism #597-598

 All of us sentenced Jesus to death for our sins..”

Jesus redeems us by his sacrificial blood.  His blood of redemption will wash over all.

Jesus Christ is Redeemer of the whole world!

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, where executions were frequently carried out, Jesus was stripped of his clothes, tearing the scourging wounds apart only increasing the pain.

Simon of Cyrene in town to enjoy Passover festival never expected to have the cross of a criminal thrust upon him. 

 We never know where our crosses will come from, be ready!

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. “They divide my garments among them and cast lots.” Psalm 22

 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. 

“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 

WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY NAILED HIM TO A TREE?

 Not only was Jesus mocked by the men executed with him but by the crowd, soldiers, chief priests, and scribes, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.  Mark 15:29-39. 

 Jesus overcame hate with love, death with his own life.  “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:31.  Jesus forgave the Good Thief in his dying moments and promised him a room in his mansion in paradise.

Do I forgive others, even unpleasant ones?

 Before His death on the cross, 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!  

Don’t forget Mother Mary when you need something from the Son!

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.  The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn in two.

The centurion gave witness, “Truly this was the Son of God!”  

What prompts us to recognize God in our lives?

 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.

JESUS IS PRESENT IN OUR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES.

 JESUS IS PRESENT IN THE MASS.

 JESUS IS PRESENT IN OUR SACRAMENTS.

BURIAL OF JESUS

Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Having bought 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.  We get a hint because two Marys are checking out where they are burying Jesus and just like any good novel we wait to see what happens next,  what are these ladies going to do with this knowledge?

 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…He has conquered sin, and its sting…death…from the darkness of death a new hope will shine, the light of the resurrection. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!

Seek the LORD while he may be found,

 call upon him while he is near.  

Isaiah 5:6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLY THURSDAY

HOLY WEEK

INTRODUCTION

Two of our seven sacraments, Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders, were instituted on Holy Thursday.  Jesus at the Passover meal took bread and wine and told his disciples to eat and drink, for this was his body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins, “Do this in remembrance of me” Luke 22:19

These words, “Do this in remembrance of me” are the foundation for our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist today and established the ministerial priesthood (Holy Orders) whereby this command will be carried out through the successors of the apostles until the end of time.

TAKE AND EAT; THIS IS MY BODY

MATTHEW 26:26-30

 When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover* with you before I suffer… Then he took a cup,* gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; ….Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. LUKE 22:14-20

 In St. John’s Gospel we don’t find the institution of the Eucharist but we find Jesus, Servant of servants, washing the feet of His disciples and telling them to do likewise.

Jesus washing the feet of his disciples represents the service and charity of Christ, who came ‘not to be served, but to serve.’ Matthew 20:28

 And at supper, Jesus…Rose from his place, and, taking off his upper garments, tied a towel round his waist. He then poured some water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel which was tied round him…..

 When he had washed their feet… he spoke to them again. “Do you understand what I have been doing to you?” he asked. “You yourselves call me ‘the Teacher’ and ‘the Master’, and you are right, for I am both. If I, then—’the Master’ and ‘the Teacher’—have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet…In truth I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger than the man who sends him. JOHN 13:1-1

A SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS MASTER

 REFLECTION

Jesus Christ, is the fullest revelation of God that we can possess on earth. The Eucharist is the sacramental means to abide in Jesus. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.”  John 6:54

When I receive the Eucharist in Holy Communion, what are my thoughts, prayers….

 Do I believe I am truly receiving Jesus or some symbol?

In the Mass, divinity and humanity are reconciled. We, along with the priest offer Jesus’ body and blood to the Father in atonement for our sins and the sins of the world.   What a Loving Compassionate God and Father that allows us, invites us, to participate in our own redemption.

 Will this make a difference in the next Cross I bear, the next Garden of Gethsemane I experience?

Communion with Christ is a wedding banquet. Jesus is the bridegroom; the Church is the Bride.

Jesus said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. Many are invited, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:12-14

What about our wedding garment? Are we prepared to meet Jesus sacramentally?  Are we prepared to meet Jesus in person when we transition from earth to eternity?

The Church includes A vast cloud of witnesses, the Church triumphant, those already in heaven, the Church suffering, those in purgatory being perfected, and Church militant, those on earth on the way. Hebrews 12:1

No one gets to heaven by their self. What am I doing to help others?

God loves us with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3 

 How do I love others? Do I have stipulations or conditions? Why?

 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; Bread of Life Discourse JOHN 6:51

 How do I react to these words of Jesus  in Bread of Life discourse?

 

 

 

PALM SUNDAY (PASSION SUNDAY)

LENTEN REFLECTIONS

JESUS TRIUMPHANT ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM

“….the great crowd that had come to the (Passover) festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord— the King of Israel!” Jesus sat upon a young donkey; as it is written: “Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” John 12:12-16

INTRODUCTION

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week… So many mysteries to ponder.  From the triumphant entrance into Jerusalem to the Last Supper and the Eucharist, Good Friday, Christ Crucified, and then Easter Sunday, new beginnings… new life, eternal life!

Palm Sunday Mass displays a mixture of triumph and suffering.  Before Mass begins is a Gospel reading and distribution of palms that describes Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem for the Passover feast.

 “Exult greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! Behold: your king* is coming to you, a just savior is he, Humble, and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” Zachariah 9:9

WHO IS THE KING OF GLORY?

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty
Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory

PSALM 24

REFLECTION

Jesus makes His triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. It is a remarkable event recorded by all four Gospels. Now is His hour.  He is in full command of fulfilling His Father’s will.  He allows people to praise Him even if that devotion may fade and change into condemnation.

Jesus is King of Glory! Man-kind could not do it on their own.  Abraham couldn’t do it.  Moses couldn’t do it.  David couldn’t do it. It took Jesus, the Word Incarnate, son of God, son of Mary to open the gates of heaven to all of us so we too may walk the path of GLORY!

The Jews recognized Jesus’ sovereignty by calling him the Son of David, and also by spreading their cloaks before him. This was the ancient custom; people threw down their garments to make a carpet for the royal procession.

We recognize his sovereignty by laying our hearts before him, throwing down our wills in absolute surrender, and asking Jesus to govern everything we think, say and do.

CONCLUSION

Palm Sunday is sometimes called Passion Sunday for good reason. While Jesus is King of Glory and our Savior and Redeemer we get a glimpse in the Mass readings of today the Passion of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew.

FROM HOSANNA TO CRUCIFY HIM

They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him.

Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand.

And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

  They spat upon him* and took the reed and kept striking him on the head.

And when they had mocked him,

they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes,

and led him off to crucify him.

Matthew 27:28-31

Hope springs eternal, a week from now Jesus will make another triumphant entrance and deliverance on Easter Sunday. Jesus will rise triumphant over sin and death.  How great a Savior we have!

 Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

 

 

 

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH MARCH 19

CATHOLIC FEAST DAYS

INTRODUCTION 

FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS

 St. Joseph, skilled and trusted craftsman of the town of Nazareth, was a faithful practicing Jewish man from the line of David. The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment by calling him a “just man.” Matthew 1:19

By saying Joseph was “just,” the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted him to do and did it faithfully.

Joseph, betrothed to Mary, faced with Mary pregnant during engagement period and not by him had to hurt him severely. Joseph didn’t want to out Mary publicly to charge of adultery.  Joseph planned to separate from Mary “quietly” because he was “a righteous man, unwilling to expose her to shame” Matthew 1:19.

 When it was time for his wife to give birth, Joseph could not find an Inn but was forced into a shelter for animals.

DO WE GOSSIP ABOUT THE SINS OF OTHERS? 

DO WE HAVE A PLACE FOR JESUS IN OUR INN?

 WHAT HELP DO WE GIVE TO SHELTER THE HOMELESS?

When King Herod threatened their infant son. Joseph and the Holy Family had to flee in total uncertainty to a foreign land.  Joseph trusted in God that he and his family would be cared for.

  FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

DO WE TRUST IN GOD IN PERIL?                       

After Herod’s death Joseph safely returned Mary and Jesus to Nazareth. Matthew 2:13-16

JOSEPH AND MARY FIND JESUS IN THE TEMPLE

 On a Passover trip in Jerusalem, Jesus got separated from Mary and Joseph. After three days, Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple listening and teaching.  They brought Jesus home to Nazareth, where Jesus grew in wisdom and grace and obedience to earthly parents.  Luke 2:41

“And Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them” Luke, 2:51. As head of the Holy Family, Joseph was protector, counselor, and consoler of the Holy Family in every need. St. Joseph is intercessor and patron saint of families.

There was an intimate union of heart and mind among the members of the Holy Family. Jesus chose to fulfill all the duties of a faithful Son.

Mary showed all the signs of respect and love of a devoted wife.  St. Joseph cherished all the experiences common to family life and provider through his carpentry skills. Work has dignity,

 HOW DO WE DEAL WITH SEPARATION OF LOVED ONES?

 DO WE NEED TO CONTACT SOMEONE THAT WE HAVEN’T FOR A LONG TIME

 HOW ARE WE LIKE JOSEPH?

In this hidden life of Jesus, we see the beginnings of his obedience to his spiritual and human father.  This obedience wipes out the disobedience of Adam.  As the disobedience of Adam brought about death, the obedience of the New Adam, Jesus, brings life, eternal life.

God the Father plants His Son in this most perfect Holy Family that will ready Him for His mission.  As the old saying goes, “Bloom where you are planted.”

TODAY WE LIVE IN CULTURE OFDEATH. DO WE CHOOSE LIFE OR DEATH?

DO WE CHOOSE LIGHT OR DARKNESS?

DO WE DISOBEY LIKE ADAM OR OBEY LIKE JESUS, THY WILL BE DONE?

PATRON SAINT OF A HAPPY DEATH

 We do not know when Joseph died but there is no mention of him during Jesus’ public ministry  Is it any wonder that the Church declared Joseph the patron saint of a happy death? Joseph died in the arms of Jesus and Mary.

Jesus and His mother Mary were not only supporters and consolers who supported Joseph’s frail body, but also provided powerful, soothing graces that refreshed the heart and soul of the dying Saint. St. Joseph can help us at our time of death by reminding us not to fear death but to rest in the arms and support of the Holy Family!

 PRAYER TO ST JOSEPH

 O glorious St. Joseph, Saint of the workbench, skilled and trusted craftsman…Cheerfully toiling side by side with Jesus, Teach us to value lives of hidden splendor.

We implore thy powerful intercession in obtaining for us from your Divine son all spiritual blessings, particularly the grace of a happy death. 

 O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we have confidence that thy prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. In Jesus’ name we pray! Amen.

SAINT JOSEPH PRAY FOR US

 

MEDITATIONS GOSPEL OF JOHN

SCRIPTURE

SCRIPTURE JOHN 12:1-8

 

the anointing at Bethany

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 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.

 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.”

REFLECTION

Is Jesus putting down poor people? Is Jesus dismissive of the poor?

Of course not! Looking at his disciples Jesus said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God’” Luke 6:20.

“when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” Luke 14:13-14.

Jesus knew the heart of Judas, a man not so interested in caring for others but what he could gather for himself.  Are we selfish in similar ways?  Are our motives for charitable acts always pure or do we sometimes look to call attention to ourselves?

SCRIPTURE JOHN 12:23-33; 44-50

the coming of Jesus’ hour.

Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies,

it remains just a grain of wheat but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Jesus responded: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat but if it dies, it produces much fruit…

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.

Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.t

Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world* will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.

Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.

REFLECTION

God’s ways are not our ways.  Who back then or now for that matter thinks death by crucifixion is a moment to celebrate? 

It is at our own peril to second guess God.

Jesus defines clearly what a disciple of his must be. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. 

Can we drink the cup Jesus must drink? Do we serve in this world as Jesus did?

Even Jesus in his humanity had trouble accepting His Father’s will,

Father, save me from this hour. John 12:27

 Just like us Jesus doesn’t enjoy suffering but suffering may be necessary to fulfill the Father’s will.  Trust in God! 

God knows the full picture and if God can bring glory out of the greatest suffering, the passion and death of His only begotten Son, what is the good God will bring out of our small suffering here on this earth.

I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Jesus did not come to condemn but save! We are free to embrace Jesus or not, again at our own peril!

when I am lifted up from the earth,

I will draw everyone to myself.

 

REPENT AND COME TO ME

CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHING, CATHOLIC COMMENTARY

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him

might not perish but might have eternal life.” JOHN 3:16

 

 JESUS CHRIST SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

 The Sacrament of Penance is sometimes referred to by various names such as, Sacrament of Confession (we acknowledge our sins); Sacrament of Forgiveness (our sins are forgiven and removed); and Sacrament of Reconciliation (we are reconciled to God and His Church).

After Original Sin, man was separated both from God’s presence and God’s divine life of grace.  At the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, God lets it be known that one day a Savior will come and restore man’s relationship with God.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman (Mary the New Eve), and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel.” Genesis 3:15 

 The Prophets of the Old Testament promise in their oracles a Savior one day who will offer himself up for the many that we might be restored and reconciled with the Father.

 “See the days are coming when I will make a New Covenant….it is Yahweh who speaks…since I will forgive their iniquities and never call their sins to mind.” Jeremiah 31

During his public ministry, Jesus called the people to conversion just the same as the Church does today.  Prior to receiving the Sacrament of Penance, we must turn back to God and reject sin.

Jesus is at dinner, with tax collectors and other sinners, some Pharisees object, “why is he eating with tax collectors and sinners?”  Jesus replies, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick; I did not come to call the virtuous but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

In Luke 7:36, Jesus is administered to by a woman, a known public sinner.  The Pharisee who invited Jesus is distraught by the attention this sinful woman was paying and Jesus allowing her to do so. 

Jesus says, “…this woman though with many sins has shown great faith and love.  The one who is pardoned more will love more.”  Jesus absolves the woman of her many sins, “Your sins are forgiven.”

What great peace and joy the woman must have felt to hear these words of absolution.  Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” 

How similar these words are to the words of absolution we hear from the priest who absolves us in the name of Jesus today in Sacrament of Penance.

The Sacrament of Penance was instituted by Jesus Christ on the evening of his resurrection. “In the evening of the same day… As the Father sent me…so I am sending you…After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven.  For those whose sins you retain, they are retained.'” John 20:19-35

REPENT AND BE SAVED

 Like all the Sacraments, Penance is a liturgical action.  The elements of celebration are ordinarily these: a greeting and blessing from the priest, reading the word of God to illuminate the conscience and elicit contrition, exhortation to repentance, the acknowledging of sins to the priest, the imposition and acceptance of a penance, the priest’s absolution, a prayer of thanksgiving and praise and dismissal with a blessing from the priest. (CCC 1480). 

“Catholics should go to Confession because everyone needs forgiveness for their sins.”  “Whoever says he is without sin is a liar or blind!”  Confession is meant to be a sincere moment of conversion, trusting in God’s willingness to forgive His children and help them back on the path of following Jesus, Pope Francis

The sacramental sign of the Sacrament of Penance are the words of absolution through which forgiveness of our sins and distinctive graces of sanctification are conferred.

The Priest receives the penitent with a greeting, a sign of the cross and invitation to trust in God’s mercy

 When the priest receives the penitent, he is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seek the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up the wounds, and the merciful Father of the Prodigal Son who welcomes the son back to his family.  The priest is the sign and instrument of God’s mercy.

Reading of God’s word

 The reading of God’s word is a sign that it is God calling the penitent to conversion.  It is this call which draws us to God’s mercy and forgiveness.  It is the call which invites us back into right relationship with God and His Church.

 Confession of sins

 Through the admission of our sins, we look squarely at our relationship with God and our neighbor and open ourselves again to be reconciled with God and full communion with His Church.  We accept our Penance as satisfaction for the offense to God and the harm to His Church.

 Our act of contrition

 Our act of contrition expresses our sorrow for offending God and our detestation of sin.  Our words of contrition (sign) express an inward condition and meaning to love God and avoid sin in the future.

Prayer of absolution

 The words of absolution by the priest, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit” and the reply by the penitent, “Amen” restores the penitent to God’s grace, reconciles him with the Church, with himself, with his brothers and sisters whom he has somehow offended, and all Creation. 

 Proclamation of praise of God and Dismissal

 “Give thanks to God for he is good.  His mercy endures forever.”  This proclamation of praise by the priest and penitent expresses all glory to God the Father and commitment to the First Great Commandment, to love God with our whole mind, our whole heart, our whole soul and with all our strength.

LORD JESUS CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER

 

 

 

 

RESURRECTION OF THE BODY AND LIFE EVERLASTING

CATECHESIS

OPENING PRAYER (WELCOME GOD INTO OUR STUDY)

Heavenly Father, Eyes have not seen, Ears have not heard what you have prepared for those who love you.  We pray Father, that our bodies will rise in glory on the last day through the merits of your only begotten Son, Jesus, who goes before us to prepare for us a place in His Heavenly Mansion and who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

CATECHESIS (STUDY THE FAITH)

REFERENCES FROM CATECHISM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH 2ND EDITION

CCC 992 -1001 Christ’s Resurrection and Ours;

CCC 1002 -1004 What does it mean to rise and die in Christ

CCC 1006 -1014 The meaning of Christian Death;

CCC 1021 -1022 Particular Judgement;

CCC 1023 -1029 Heaven;

CCC 1030 -1032 Purgatory;

CCC 1033 -1037 Hell;

CCC 1038 – 1041 Last Judgement

CCC 1020 I believe in Life Everlasting

CCC 1042 – 1050 New Heavenly Jerusalem.

                                                                                                                                                              

HE IS RISEN!

St. Paul preaches in his first letter to the Corinthians, “How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead then Christ has not been raised and if Christ has not been raised then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”  Corinthians 15:12-14

Death is a consequence of Original Sin.  After death, each person faces a particular judgment before God.  After the particular judgment, the person will either immediately enter into the blessedness of heaven, purification in purgatory, or eternal damnation in hell.

To die in grave sin, without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love, means remaining separate from God for all eternity.  The state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and his blessed is called hell. . Only a free will choice on our part and a persistent state of unrepentance leads one to hell. Hell is the bitter fruit of a final no to God.

Those who die in the grace and friendship with God and perfectly purified from sinfulness will see God face to face as He really is and live with Christ forever. This perfect life with the Blessed Trinity, Mary, and all the saints is called heaven, a state of supreme and definitive happiness forever.

The resurrection of all the dead, the just and unjust, will occur just before the Last Judgment when all who died hear the Son of Man’s command to come forth.  Then the bodies will reunite with their souls.                                                                                                

 

 LAST JUDGMENT

In the resurrection we will have spiritual bodies. Our natural bodies came from Adam, our spiritual bodies come from Christ.    St. Paul says: “as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man [Adam], so we shall bear the likeness of the heavenly one [Christ]” 1 Corinthians 15:49

St. Paul says: “What is sown is perishable, but what is raised is imperishable; what is sown is contemptible but what is raised is glorious; what is sown is weak, but what is raised is powerful; what is sown is a natural body, and what is raised is a spiritual body” 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Everlasting Life refers to the perpetuity of happiness, blessedness, wholeness, and union with the Most Blessed Trinity in heaven.

“They shall no more hunger and thirst.  Neither shall the sun fall on them nor any heat.  God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and death shall be no more.  Nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Our essential happiness in heaven will be the Beatific Vision, to see God as He is, God who is the source of all goodness and perfection.

“Dearly beloved we are now the sons and daughters of God and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be.  We know when He shall appear we shall be like Him because we shall see Him as He is.”  I John 3:2

When the Church is present to a dying person, they absolve them from their sins, anoint their bodies, sealing them in holy oil for Christ, and give them Jesus in the Eucharist (Viaticum) for their journey home.  The Church sends them home with sweet assurance in the following prayer:

“Go forth Christian soul from this world in the name of God, the Almighty Father who created you.  In the name of Jesus, the Son of the Living God who suffered for you.  In the name of the Holy Spirit who was poured out upon you.   

 Go forth faithful Christian.  May you live in peace this day.  May your home be with God, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph and all the angels and saints.  May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth.   May Holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life.  May you see your Redeemer face to face.”  (CCC #1020)

CLOSING PRAYER   (PRAY THE FAITH)

Heavenly Father, You sent your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, not to condemn us but to save us.  Do not look upon our sinfulness and what we truly deserve, but in your mercy, forgive us. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

 LIFE APPLICATION (LIVE THE FAITH)

  1. What experiences have I had that have strengthened my belief in the immortality of the soul  and life after death?
  2. Am I frightened of death? Why?  If I knew I was going to die soon, would I make changes in my behavior?  If so, what?
  3.  Since the body will rise on the last day, why do you think God would have such a plan that   body and soul would live for all eternity together.