Category: Prayers

HE DIED FOR ME

He was “smitten for the sin of His people.” –Isaiah 53:8 Mass Readings: April 14 First: Isaiah 52:13–53:12;Resp: Psalm 31:2,6,12-13,15-17,25; Second: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9;Gospel: John 18:1–19:42 Jesus died for my sins, I who consider myself among the worst of sinners (1 Tm 1:15). He was pierced for my offenses, crushed for my sins (Is 53:5). In the face of such sacrificial, redeeming, committed, unconditional love, I have sometimes reacted selfishly and sinfully toward the One Who gave His life for me, instead of responding to His unconditional love with trusting abandon. Yet, Lord Jesus, instead of abandoning me when I...

THE TRIDUUM

“The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover supper.” –Matthew 26:19 Mass Readings: April 12 First: Isaiah 50:4-9;Resp: Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34;Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25 Today we celebrate the last Mass of Lent. We pray that these forty days of fasting, prayer, and sacrifice have prepared us for the Triduum. “The Easter Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer Easter Sunday” (Ordo, see also General Norms, 19). The Triduum is essentially a seventy-hour worship service with breaks for rest and other necessities. Jesus...

THE GORY IN GLORY

“Jesus,” reclining, “grew deeply troubled.” –John 13:21 Mass Readings: April 11 First: Acts 5:27-32,40-41;Resp: Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13; Second: Revelation 5:11-14; Gospel: John 21:1-19 During Holy Week, we recall a week of extreme suffering, pain, and trauma for Jesus. As we reflect on Jesus’ sufferings, we too may be having an extremely difficult week. As we look at our lives, we may feel we have “toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent” our strength (Is 49:4). Like Jesus, we may grow “deeply troubled” (Jn 13:21). We are tempted to let Satan enter our hearts (see Jn 13:27), or we are broken-hearted...

HEY, WAITER!

“Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.” –Psalm 27:14 Mass Readings: April 10 First: Acts 6:1-7; Resp: Psalm 33:1-2,4-5,18-19; Gospel: John 6:16-21 We wait for what we cannot see; the return of the Master seems to take so long. We wait with courage, not in doubt. We wait not because there is no other alternative but because we faithfully choose to persevere in hope while waiting for the Master to appear (see Mt 25:1ff). We call people who serve in a restaurant “waiters.” The waiter serves us. Thus, serving the Lord and His people...

THAT’S A NO-KNOW?

Peter “began cursing, and swore, ‘I do not even know the Man!’ ” –Matthew 26:74 Mass Readings: April 9 First: Acts 5:34-42;Resp: Psalm 27:1,4,13-14;Gospel: John 6:1-15 Peter was privileged to know Jesus in ways not granted to the other disciples (see Mt 16:17; Mt 14:29; Mt 17:1; Mk 5:37; Mt 26:37). If anyone was in a position to know Jesus intimately, Peter was. He knew Jesus the Messiah, Teacher, Deliverer, Raiser of the dead, and Master of the crowds. Yet, on Good Friday, Peter saw a Man before him standing bound, captive, mocked, and silent before His accusers. When asked...