Tagged: Daily Reflections

“Then [Jesus] bowed His head, and delivered over His Spirit.” –John 19:30 The Triduum is not made up of several services scheduled over a period of three days, but it is one 72-hour service made up of several parts. Today we are in the first third of the service. Cherish every moment of this most sacred time. “Stay sober and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, solid in your faith, realizing that the brotherhood of believers is undergoing the same sufferings throughout the world” (1 Pt 5:8-9). “Fix...

“I received from the Lord what I handed on to you, namely, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread, and after He had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ ” –1 Corinthians 11:23-24 Mass Readings: March 29 First: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14; Resp: Psalm 116:12-13,15-18; Second: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Gospel: John 13:1-15 Listen to the Mass Readings Why did the Lord create us so that we would have to eat? Angels were not created so that they have to eat. Plants...

“I gave My back to those who beat Me.” –Isaiah 50:6 Mass Readings: March 28 First: Isaiah 50:4-9; Resp: Psalm 69:8-10,21-22,31,33-34; Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25 Listen to the Mass Readings I have a son who is a young adult who suffers from back and sciatic pain. He has had to undergo two back surgeries. I hurt to see him suffer. I gladly pay for him to receive treatment and surgeries that may help relieve his suffering. I pray each day for his healing. I could not imagine willingly bringing suffering on my son. Yet Jesus offered His own back for our...

“Many Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in Him on account of Lazarus.” –John 12:11 Mass Readings: March 26 First: Isaiah 42:1-7; Resp: Psalm 27:1-3,13-14; Gospel: John 12:1-11 Listen to the Mass Readings. Jesus’ death saved Lazarus from dying. Once Jesus was killed by crucifixion, there was no longer any need for the chief priests to kill Lazarus as well (see Jn 12:10). Jesus then died in Lazarus’ stead. Jesus’ death saved Barabbas from dying. When Jesus was condemned to death, Barabbas was set free (Mt 27:20ff). Jesus died in Barabbas’ place. Jesus’ death can likewise save us...

“Then Jesus, uttering a loud cry, breathed His last.” –Mark 15:37 Happy Holy Week! May this be one of the greatest weeks of the greatest year of your life. In one week, in every Catholic church in the world, at every Mass on the first day of the Easter season, we will be challenged to make the greatest act of faith and love in our lives by renewing our baptismal promises. We will be invited to give our lives totally to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and thereby reject Satan, all his works, and all his empty...