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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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?

 

 

 

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.

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 Jesus did not descend into hell to save those who already have chosen damnation,

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 and some await damnation eternal separation from God.  Catechism of the Catholic Church #631-637

 There is an Ancient Homily from 2^nd Century for Holy Saturday which is copied below.  The writer of this ancient homily pondered the moment when God died in the Flesh—when Jesus’ soul left His body and descended into the netherworld to rescue Adam, Eve, and all the souls of the just who have been waiting for thousands of years, shut out from heaven because the Messiah had not yet come.

I suggest a slow read, stopping often to ponder and pray in thanksgiving for such a great and good God that will go to any depths to rescue us.

 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. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.

Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; 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, he who is God, and Adam’s son.

The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. 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, and Christ shall give you light. I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and 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.

For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.

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.

See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.

`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side.

My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.

But 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.

I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life.

I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.

“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.”