THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Lectionary: 37 and 38

At the Procession with Palms - Gospel Mk 11:1-10

When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem,
to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the village opposite you,
and immediately on entering it,
you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone should say to you,
'Why are you doing this?' reply,
'The Master has need of it
and will send it back here at once.'"
So they went off
and found a colt tethered at a gate outside on the street,
and they untied it.
Some of the bystanders said to them,
"What are you doing, untying the colt?"
They answered them just as Jesus had told them to,
and they permitted them to do it.
So they brought the colt to Jesus
and put their cloaks over it.
And he sat on it.
Many people spread their cloaks on the road,
and others spread leafy branches
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest!"

At the Mass – Reading 1 Is 50:4-7

The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
that I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24.

R. (2a) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All who see me scoff at me;
they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads:
"He relied on the LORD; let him deliver him,
let him rescue him, if he loves him."
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Indeed, many dogs surround me,
a pack of evildoers closes in upon me;
They have pierced my hands and my feet;
I can count all my bones.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
They divide my garments among them,
and for my vesture they cast lots.
But you, O LORD, be not far from me;
O my help, hasten to aid me.
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I will proclaim your name to my brethren;
in the midst of the assembly I will praise you:
"You who fear the LORD, praise him;
all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him;
revere him, all you descendants of Israel!"
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Reading 2 Phil 2:6-11

Christ Jesus, 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 the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Verse Before the Gospel Phil 2:8-9

Christ became obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Gospel Mk 14:1—15:47

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
were to take place in two days' time.
So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way
to arrest him by treachery and put him to death.
They said, "Not during the festival,
for fear that there may be a riot among the people."

When he was in Bethany reclining at table
in the house of Simon the leper,
a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil,
costly genuine spikenard.
She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head.
There were some who were indignant.
"Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil?
It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages
and the money given to the poor."
They were infuriated with her.
Jesus said, "Let her alone.
Why do you make trouble for her?
She has done a good thing for me.
The poor you will always have with you,
and whenever you wish you can do good to them,
but you will not always have me.
She has done what she could.
She has anticipated anointing my body for burial.
Amen, I say to you,
wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world,
what she has done will be told in memory of her."

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve,
went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them.
When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money.
Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
his disciples said to him,
"Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he came with the Twelve.
And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said,
"Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me,
one who is eating with me."
They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one,
"Surely it is not I?"
He said to them,
"One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish.
For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed.
It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said,
"Take it; this is my body."
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Then Jesus said to them,
"All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written:
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be dispersed.
But after I have been raised up,
I shall go before you to Galilee."
Peter said to him,
"Even though all should have their faith shaken,
mine will not be."
Then Jesus said to him,
"Amen, I say to you,
this very night before the cock crows twice
you will deny me three times."
But he vehemently replied,
"Even though I should have to die with you,
I will not deny you."
And they all spoke similarly.
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane,
and he said to his disciples,
"Sit here while I pray."
He took with him Peter, James, and John,
and began to be troubled and distressed.
Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death.
Remain here and keep watch."
He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed
that if it were possible the hour might pass by him;
he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you.
Take this cup away from me,
but not what I will but what you will."
When he returned he found them asleep.
He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep?
Could you not keep watch for one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing.
Then he returned once more and found them asleep,
for they could not keep their eyes open
and did not know what to answer him.
He returned a third time and said to them,
"Are you still sleeping and taking your rest?
It is enough. The hour has come.
Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Get up, let us go.
See, my betrayer is at hand."

Then, while he was still speaking,
Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived,
accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs
who had come from the chief priests,
the scribes, and the elders.
His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying,
"The man I shall kiss is the one;
arrest him and lead him away securely."
He came and immediately went over to him and said,
"Rabbi." And he kissed him.
At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.
One of the bystanders drew his sword,
struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his ear.
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Have you come out as against a robber,
with swords and clubs, to seize me?
Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area,
yet you did not arrest me;
but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled."
And they all left him and fled.
Now a young man followed him
wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body.
They seized him,
but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked.

They led Jesus away to the high priest,
and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.
Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest's courtyard
and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin
kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus
in order to put him to death, but they found none.
Many gave false witness against him,
but their testimony did not agree.
Some took the stand and testified falsely against him,
alleging, "We heard him say,
'I will destroy this temple made with hands
and within three days I will build another
not made with hands.'"
Even so their testimony did not agree.
The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus,
saying, "Have you no answer?
What are these men testifying against you?"
But he was silent and answered nothing.
Again the high priest asked him and said to him,
"Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?"
Then Jesus answered, "I am;
and 'you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power
and coming with the clouds of heaven.'"
At that the high priest tore his garments and said,
"What further need have we of witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?"
They all condemned him as deserving to die.
Some began to spit on him.
They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, "Prophesy!"
And the guards greeted him with blows.

While Peter was below in the courtyard,
one of the high priest's maids came along.
Seeing Peter warming himself,
she looked intently at him and said,
"You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus."
But he denied it saying,
"I neither know nor understand what you are talking about."
So he went out into the outer court.
Then the cock crowed.
The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders,
"This man is one of them."
Once again he denied it.
A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more,
"Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean."
He began to curse and to swear,
"I do not know this man about whom you are talking."
And immediately a cock crowed a second time.
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him,
"Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times."
He broke down and wept.

As soon as morning came,
the chief priests with the elders and the scribes,
that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council.
They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
Pilate questioned him,
"Are you the king of the Jews?"
He said to him in reply, "You say so."
The chief priests accused him of many things.
Again Pilate questioned him,
"Have you no answer?
See how many things they accuse you of."
Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them
one prisoner whom they requested.
A man called Barabbas was then in prison
along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion.
The crowd came forward and began to ask him
to do for them as he was accustomed.
Pilate answered,
"Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?"
For he knew that it was out of envy
that the chief priests had handed him over.
But the chief priests stirred up the crowd
to have him release Barabbas for them instead.
Pilate again said to them in reply,
"Then what do you want me to do
with the man you call the king of the Jews?"
They shouted again, "Crucify him."
Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?"
They only shouted the louder, "Crucify him."
So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd,
released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged,
handed him over to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away inside the palace,
that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort.
They clothed him in purple and,
weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him.
They began to salute him with, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him.
They knelt before him in homage.
And when they had mocked him,
they stripped him of the purple cloak,
dressed him in his own clothes,
and led him out to crucify him.

They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon,
a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus,
to carry his cross.

They brought him to the place of Golgotha
— which is translated Place of the Skull —
They gave him wine drugged with myrrh,
but he did not take it.
Then they crucified him and divided his garments
by casting lots for them to see what each should take.
It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him.
The inscription of the charge against him read,
"The King of the Jews."
With him they crucified two revolutionaries,
one on his right and one on his left.
Those passing by reviled him,
shaking their heads and saying,
"Aha! You who would destroy the temple
and rebuild it in three days,
save yourself by coming down from the cross."
Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes,
mocked him among themselves and said,
"He saved others; he cannot save himself.
Let the Christ, the King of Israel,
come down now from the cross
that we may see and believe."
Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.

At noon darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon.
And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?"
which is translated,
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Some of the bystanders who heard it said,
"Look, he is calling Elijah."
One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed
and gave it to him to drink saying,
"Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down."
Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom.
When the centurion who stood facing him
saw how he breathed his last he said,
"Truly this man was the Son of God!"
There were also women looking on from a distance.
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome.
These women had followed him when he was in Galilee
and ministered to him.
There were also many other women
who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When it was already evening,
since it was the day of preparation,
the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea,
a distinguished member of the council,
who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God,
came and courageously went to Pilate
and asked for the body of Jesus.
Pilate was amazed that he was already dead.
He summoned the centurion
and asked him if Jesus had already died.
And when he learned of it from the centurion,
he gave the body to Joseph.
Having bought a linen cloth, he took him 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.

My Brothers,

 Today we celebrate The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the beginning of Holy Week which marks a journey to the most important day of the year: The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, there is so much more to experience before we come to that point of joy. To reach The Resurrection we much first journey through The Crucifixion. This will be experienced on the most intimate level starting with Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and onward to the Easter Vigil and The Easter Joy. It all begins today. Here we reflect on The Passion and what Jesus Christ voluntarily suffered so that we may achieve eternal life and salvation. It begins here in earnest. Our Lenten journey brought us to this point. Now we are challenged to unite ourselves even more to the Crucified Christ and suffer what He suffered. Through this suffering, a special kind of grace will be encountered.

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ should have a great meaning to us. Through it, we are encouraged to understand more fully our relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ. To be a Christian means that we are going to suffer. It is through this suffering that we are drawn more closely to Jesus and can realize more fully who this person Jesus Christ really is and what impact He can have on our lives. Living a life as a Christian is not easy. In fact, it is harder to be a Christian and to accept Jesus as our savior than the alternative, which is embrace the physical world around us and partake in all the enjoyments and temptations that come with it. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. We must suffer and endure many trials and tribulations if we are going to know Him intimately. It is through this suffering, like iron forged in the furnace, that we become stronger and more vigilant.

The Christ Experience presents everyone with a quandary. Society, the dwelling place of Satan, offers a life with preconceived expectations. We are told that if we work hard we can receive rewards in the form of material wealth, financial security, and enjoyments that satisfy our physical cravings. We are encouraged to concentrate on gathering treasures of money, desire, and things that stimulate us physically and mentally. Living in the moment, we are tempted to consume what is in front of us so as to please a wantonness which originates from our physical senses and is fortified by our metal state. Living in the present and striving for these things creates a mindset on things that are here today and will definitely be gone tomorrow. With this, there will be periods where we are empty and wanting more. We are then told to go out and get more. It is a vicious cycle which can lead to a life of chasing which never ends. Take a moment to reflect: How much time do we spend trying to gather things so as to enjoy them only to feel empty and focused on trying to get more. How much is actually enough? When does it end?

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ presents an alternative and one that is the foundation of the Christian Experience. We are told to dismiss all that is material and to be appreciative for what we have as a gift from God. Living in the moment, the past is forgotten with all of its successes and failures. In the present, it is only us and Jesus Christ. From there, our problems are embraced. These are our crosses. Jesus Christ had His cross and we have ours. Jesus did not refuse His cross and we are persuaded through Him not to refuse ours. We all lift up our crosses together and put them on our shoulders. Then we walk. It will become clearer to us as we meditate on our situation and what Jesus is doing, that what He is doing is totally for the benefit of us. He receives nothing in return for what He is doing. It is through what He is doing that we actually gain strength to bear our burdens. All is done for us so as to support us and help us overcome what we are facing. In comparison to Jesus, our burdens are nothing, for His burdens are the burdens of the whole world while ours are focused on the self.

When people suffer together there is strength and joy. A special bond is formed that cannot be broken. Those outside that suffering will always find it hard to understand while those within will naturally understand and become closer becomes of it. This is the Christian Way. Because Jesus Christ suffered for us, we must suffer to become closer to Him. This is especially true because what He did was completely for us and was by His own choice. He was offered up by the Father and accepted everything.

Jesus Christ invited all of us to experience this journey. We see this in the lives of the Saints who have gone before us. All of them experienced lives of physical and mental hardships and were blessed with a special relationship with Jesus. These hardships were not separate from the Christ Experience but were an intricate part. The suffering led to an explicable joy. We too are promised this same experience. We are all destined for sainthood and will encounter much suffering along the way. When we walk The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we are actually walking our own Passion. Accept your cross readily, walk with Jesus, and raise up the cross next to His. Soon, we will ass be in Paradise with Him.

Deacon Tom

THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Domingo de Ramos 
"De la pasión del Señor"
Leccionario: 37/38

Conmemoración de la entrada del Señor en Jerusalén

Procesión de las Palmas 

Evangelio

Mc 11, 1-10

Cuando Jesús y los suyos iban de camino a Jerusalén, al llegar a Betfagé y Betania, cerca del monte de los Olivos, les dijo a dos de sus discípulos: "Vayan al pueblo que ven allí enfrente; al entrar, encontrarán amarrado un burro que nadie ha montado todavía. Desátenlo y tráiganmelo. Si alguien les pregunta por qué lo hacen, contéstenle: 'El Señor lo necesita y lo devolverá pronto' ".

Fueron y encontraron al burro en la calle, atado junto a una puerta, y lo desamarraron. Algunos de los que allí estaban les preguntaron: "¿Por qué sueltan al burro?" Ellos les contestaron lo que había dicho Jesús y ya nadie los molestó.

Llevaron el burro, le echaron encima los mantos y Jesús montó en él. Muchos extendían su manto en el camino, y otros lo tapizaban con ramas cortadas en el campo. Los que iban delante de Jesús y los que lo seguían, iban gritando vivas: "¡Hosanna! ¡Bendito el que viene en nombre del Señor! ¡Bendito el reino que llega, el reino de nuestro padre David! ¡Hosanna en el cielo!"

O bien:

Jn 12, 12-16

En aquel tiempo, al enterarse la gran muchedumbre que había llegado para la fiesta, de que Jesús se dirigía a Jerusalén, cortaron hojas de palmera y salieron a su encuentro, gritando: "¡Hosanna! ¡Bendito el que viene en nombre del Señor, el rey de Israel!"

Habiendo encontrado Jesús un burrito, lo montó, como está escrito: No tengas temor, hija de Sión, mira que tu rey viene a ti montado en un burrito.

Sus discípulos no entendieron estas cosas al principio, pero cuando Jesús fue glorificado, se acordaron de que habían sido escritas acerca de él y que ellos las habían cumplido.

La Misa - Primera Lectura

Is 50, 4-7

"El Señor me ha dado una lengua experta,
para que pueda confortar al abatido
con palabras de aliento.

Mañana tras mañana, el Señor despierta mi oído,
para que escuche yo, como discípulo.
El Señor Dios me ha hecho oír sus palabras
y yo no he opuesto resistencia
ni me he echado para atrás.

Ofrecí la espalda a los que me golpeaban,
la mejilla a los que me tiraban de la barba.
No aparté mi rostro de los insultos y salivazos.

Pero el Señor me ayuda,
por eso no quedaré confundido,
por eso endurecí mi rostro como roca
y sé que no quedaré avergonzado".

Salmo Responsorial

Salmo 21, 8-9. 17-18a. 19-20. 23-24

R. (2a) Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?
Todos los que me ven, de mí se burlan;
me hacen gestos y dicen:
"Confiaba en el Señor, pues que él lo salve;
si de veras lo ama, que lo libre". 
R. Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?
Los malvados me cercan por doquiera
como rabiosos perros.
Mis manos y mis pies han taladrado
y se puedan contar todos mis huesos.
R. Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?
Reparten entre sí mis vestiduras
y se juegan mi túnica a los dados.
Señor, auxilio mío, ven y ayudarme,
no te quedes de mí tan alejado. 
R. Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?
Contaré tu fama a mis hermanos,
en medio de la asamblea te alabaré.
Fieles del Señor, alábenlo;
glorificarlo, linaje de Jacob,
témelo, estirpe de Israel. 
R. Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?

Segunda Lectura

Flp 2, 6-11

Cristo, siendo Dios,
no consideró que debía aferrarse
a las prerrogativas de su condición divina,
sino que, por el contrario, se anonadó a sí mismo,
tomando la condición de siervo,
y se hizo semejante a los hombres.
Así, hecho uno de ellos, se humilló a sí mismo
y por obediencia aceptó incluso la muerte,
y una muerte de cruz.

Por eso Dios lo exaltó sobre todas las cosas
y le otorgó el nombre que está sobre todo nombre,
para que, al nombre de Jesús, todos doblen la rodilla
en el cielo, en la tierra y en los abismos,
y todos reconozcan públicamente que Jesucristo es el Señor,
para gloria de Dios Padre.

Aclamación antes del Evangelio

Flp 2, 8-9

R. Honor y gloria a ti, Señor Jesús.
Cristo se humilló por nosotros
y por obediencia aceptó incluso la muerte,
y una muerte de cruz.
Por eso Dios lo exaltó sobre todas las cosas
y le otorgó el nombre que está sobre todo nombre.
R. Honor y gloria a ti, Señor Jesús.

Evangelio

Mc 14, 1–15, 47

Faltaban dos días para la fiesta de Pascua y de los panes Ázimos. Los sumos sacerdotes y los escribas andaban buscando una manera de apresar a Jesús a traición y darle muerte, pero decían: "No durante las fiestas, porque el pueblo podría amotinarse".

Estando Jesús sentado a la mesa, en casa de Simón el leproso, en Betania, llegó una mujer con un frasco de perfume muy caro, de nardo puro; quebró el frasco y derramó el perfume en la cabeza de Jesús. Algunos comentaron indignados: "¿A qué viene este derroche de perfume? Podía haberse vendido por más de trescientos denarios para dárselos a los pobres". Y criticaban a la mujer; pero Jesús replicó: "Déjenla. ¿Por qué la molestan? Lo que ha hecho conmigo está bien, porque a los pobres los tienen siempre con ustedes y pueden socorrerlos cuando quieran; pero a mí no me tendrán siempre. Ella ha hecho lo que podía. Se ha adelantado a embalsamar mi cuerpo para la sepultura. Yo les aseguro que en cualquier parte del mundo donde se predique el Evangelio, se recordará también en su honor lo que ella ha hecho conmigo".

Judas Iscariote, uno de los Doce, se presentó a los sumos sacerdotes para entregarles a Jesús. Al oírlo, se alegraron y le prometieron dinero; y él andaba buscando una buena ocasión para entregarlo.

El primer día de la fiesta de los panes Ázimos, cuando se sacrificaba el cordero pascual, le preguntaron a Jesús sus discípulos: "¿Dónde quieres que vayamos a prepararte la cena de Pascua?" Él les dijo a dos de ellos: "Vayan a la ciudad. Encontrarán a un hombre que lleva un cántaro de agua; síganlo y díganle al dueño de la casa en donde entre: 'El Maestro manda preguntar: ¿Dónde está la habitación en que voy a comer la Pascua con mis discípulos?' Él les enseñará una sala en el segundo piso, arreglada con divanes. Prepárennos allí la cena". Los discípulos se fueron, llegaron a la ciudad, encontraron lo que Jesús les había dicho y prepararon la cena de Pascua.

Al atardecer, llegó Jesús con los Doce. Estando a la mesa, cenando, les dijo: "Yo les aseguro que uno de ustedes, uno que está comiendo conmigo, me va a entregar". Ellos, consternados, empezaron a preguntarle uno tras otro: "¿Soy yo?" Él respondió: "Uno de los Doce; alguien que moja su pan en el mismo plato que yo. El Hijo del hombre va a morir, como está escrito: pero, ¡ay del que va a entregar al Hijo del hombre! ¡Más le valiera no haber nacido!"

Mientras cenaban, Jesús tomó un pan, pronunció la bendición, lo partió y se lo dio a sus discípulos, diciendo: "Tomen: esto es mi cuerpo". Y tomando en sus manos una copa de vino, pronunció la acción de gracias, se la dio, todos bebieron y les dijo: "Ésta es mi sangre, sangre de la alianza, que se derrama por todos. Yo les aseguro que no volveré a beber del fruto de la vid hasta el día en que beba el vino nuevo en el Reino de Dios".

Después de cantar el himno, salieron hacia el monte de los Olivos y Jesús les dijo: "Todos ustedes se van a escandalizar por mi causa, como está escrito: Heriré al pastor y se dispersarán las ovejas; pero cuando resucite, iré por delante de ustedes a Galilea". Pedro replicó: "Aunque todos se escandalicen, yo no". Jesús le contestó: "Yo te aseguro que hoy, esta misma noche, antes de que el gallo cante dos veces, tú me negarás tres". Pero él insistía: "Aunque tenga que morir contigo, no te negaré". Y los demás decían lo mismo.

Fueron luego a un huerto, llamado Getsemaní, y Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: "Siéntense aquí mientras hago oración". Se llevó a Pedro, a Santiago y a Juan; empezó a sentir terror y angustia, y les dijo: "Tengo el alma llena de una tristeza mortal. Quédense aquí, velando". Se adelantó un poco, se postró en tierra y pedía que, si era posible, se alejara de él aquella hora. Decía: "Padre, tú lo puedes todo: aparta de mí este cáliz. Pero que no se haga lo que yo quiero, sino lo que tú quieres".

Volvió a donde estaban los discípulos, y al encontrarlos dormidos, dijo a Pedro: "Simón, ¿estás dormido? ¿No has podido velar ni una hora? Velen y oren, para que no caigan en la tentación. El espíritu está pronto, pero la carne es débil". De nuevo se retiró y se puso a orar, repitiendo las mismas palabras. Volvió y otra vez los encontró dormidos, porque tenían los ojos cargados de sueño; por eso no sabían qué contestarle. Él les dijo: "Ya pueden dormir y descansar. ¡Basta! Ha llegado la hora. Miren que el Hijo del hombre va a ser entregado en manos de los pecadores. ¡Levántense! ¡Vamos! Ya está cerca el traidor".

Todavía estaba hablando, cuando se presentó Judas, uno de los Doce, y con él, gente con espadas y palos, enviada por los sacerdotes, los escribas y los ancianos. El traidor les había dado una contraseña, diciéndoles: "Al que yo bese, ése es. Deténganlo y llévenselo bien sujeto". Llegó, se acercó y le dijo: "Maestro". Y lo besó. Ellos le echaron mano y lo apresaron. Pero uno de los presentes desenvainó la espada y de un golpe le cortó la oreja a un criado del sumo sacerdote. Jesús tomó la palabra y les dijo: "¿Salieron ustedes a apresarme con espadas y palos, como si se tratara de un bandido? Todos los días he estado entre ustedes, enseñando en el templo y no me han apresado. Pero así tenía que ser para que se cumplieran las Escrituras". Todos lo abandonaron y huyeron. Lo iba siguiendo un muchacho, envuelto nada más con una sábana y lo detuvieron; pero él soltó la sábana y se les escapó desnudo.

Condujeron a Jesús a casa del sumo sacerdote y se reunieron todos los pontífices, los escribas y los ancianos. Pedro lo fue siguiendo de lejos, hasta el interior del patio del sumo sacerdote y se sentó con los criados, cerca de la lumbre, para calentarse.

Los sumos sacerdotes y el sanedrín en pleno, buscaban una acusación contra Jesús para condenarlo a muerte y no la encontraban. Pues, aunque muchos presentaban falsas acusaciones contra él, los testimonios no concordaban. Hubo unos que se pusieron de pie y dijeron: "Nosotros lo hemos oído decir: 'Yo destruiré este templo, edificado por hombres, y en tres días construiré otro, no edificado por hombres' ". Pero ni aun en esto concordaba su testimonio. Entonces el sumo sacerdote se puso de pie y le preguntó a Jesús: "¿No tienes nada que responder a todas esas acusaciones?" Pero él no le respondió nada. El sumo sacerdote le volvió a preguntar: "¿Eres tú el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios bendito?" Jesús contestó: "Sí lo soy. Y un día verán cómo el Hijo del hombre está sentado a la derecha del Todopoderoso y cómo viene entre las nubes del cielo". El sumo sacerdote se rasgó las vestiduras exclamando: "¿Qué falta hacen ya más testigos? Ustedes mismos han oído la blasfemia. ¿Qué les parece?" Y todos lo declararon reo de muerte. Algunos se pusieron a escupirle, y tapándole la cara, lo abofeteaban y le decían: "Adivina quién fue", y los criados también le daban de bofetadas.

Mientras tanto, Pedro estaba abajo, en el patio. Llegó una criada del sumo sacerdote, y al ver a Pedro calentándose, lo miró fijamente y le dijo: "Tú también andabas con Jesús Nazareno". Él lo negó, diciendo: "Ni sé ni entiendo lo que quieres decir". Salió afuera hacia el zaguán, y un gallo cantó. La criada, al verlo, se puso de nuevo a decir a los presentes: "Ése es uno de ellos". Pero él lo volvió a negar. Al poco rato, también los presentes dijeron a Pedro: "Claro que eres uno de ellos, pues eres galileo". Pero él se puso a echar maldiciones y a jurar: "No conozco a ese hombre del que hablan". En seguida cantó el gallo por segunda vez. Pedro se acordó entonces de las palabras que le había dicho Jesús: 'Antes de que el gallo cante dos veces, tú me habrás negado tres', y rompió a llorar.

Luego que amaneció, se reunieron los sumos sacerdotes con los ancianos, los escribas y el sanedrín en pleno, para deliberar. Ataron a Jesús, se lo llevaron y lo entregaron a Pilato. Éste le preguntó: "¿Eres tú el rey de los judíos?" Él respondió: "Sí lo soy". Los sumos sacerdotes lo acusaban de muchas cosas. Pilato le preguntó de nuevo: "¿No contestas nada? Mira de cuántas cosas te acusan". Jesús ya no le contestó nada, de modo que Pilato estaba muy extrañado.

Durante la fiesta de Pascua, Pilato solía soltarles al preso que ellos pidieran. Estaba entonces en la cárcel un tal Barrabás, con los revoltosos que habían cometido un homicidio en un motín. Vino la gente y empezó a pedir el indulto de costumbre. Pilato les dijo: "¿Quieren que les suelte al rey de los judíos?" Porque sabía que los sumos sacerdotes se lo habían entregado por envidia. Pero los sumos sacerdotes incitaron a la gente para que pidieran la libertad de Barrabás. Pilato les volvió a preguntar: "¿Y qué voy a hacer con el que llaman rey de los judíos?" Ellos gritaron: "¡Crucifícalo!" Pilato les dijo: "Pues ¿qué mal ha hecho?" Ellos gritaron más fuerte: "¡Crucifícalo!" Pilato, queriendo dar gusto a la multitud, les soltó a Barrabás; y a Jesús, después de mandarlo azotar, lo entregó para que lo crucificaran.

Los soldados se lo llevaron al interior del palacio, al pretorio, y reunieron a todo el batallón. Lo vistieron con un manto de color púrpura, le pusieron una corona de espinas que habían trenzado y comenzaron a burlarse de él, dirigiéndole este saludo: "¡Viva el rey de los judíos!" Le golpeaban la cabeza con una caña, le escupían y, doblando las rodillas, se postraban ante él. Terminadas las burlas, le quitaron aquel manto de color púrpura, le pusieron su ropa y lo sacaron para crucificarlo.

Entonces forzaron a cargar la cruz a un individuo que pasaba por ahí de regreso del campo, Simón de Cirene, padre de Alejandro y de Rufo, y llevaron a Jesús al Gólgota (que quiere decir "lugar de la Calavera"). Le ofrecieron vino con mirra, pero él no lo aceptó. Lo crucificaron y se repartieron sus ropas, echando suertes para ver qué le tocaba a cada uno.

Era media mañana cuando lo crucificaron. En el letrero de la acusación estaba escrito: "El rey de los judíos". Crucificaron con él a dos bandidos, uno a su derecha y otro a su izquierda. Así se cumplió la Escritura que dice: Fue contado entre los malhechores.

Los que pasaban por ahí lo injuriaban meneando la cabeza y gritándole: "¡Anda! Tú que destruías el templo y lo reconstruías en tres días, sálvate a ti mismo y baja de la cruz". Los sumos sacerdotes se burlaban también de él y le decían: "Ha salvado a otros, pero a sí mismo no se puede salvar. Que el Mesías, el rey de Israel, baje ahora de la cruz, para que lo veamos y creamos". Hasta los que estaban crucificados con él también lo insultaban.

Al llegar el mediodía, toda aquella tierra se quedó en tinieblas hasta las tres de la tarde. Y a las tres, Jesús gritó con voz potente: "Eloí, Eloí, ¿lemá sabactaní?" (que significa: Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?). Algunos de los presentes, al oírlo, decían: "Miren, está llamando a Elías". Uno corrió a empapar una esponja en vinagre, la sujetó a un carrizo y se la acercó para que bebiera, diciendo: "Vamos a ver si viene Elías a bajarlo". Pero Jesús, dando un fuerte grito, expiró.

Aquí todos se arrodillan y guardan silencio por unos instantes.

Entonces el velo del templo se rasgó en dos, de arriba a abajo. El oficial romano que estaba frente a Jesús, al ver cómo había expirado, dijo: "De veras este hombre era Hijo de Dios".

Había también ahí unas mujeres que estaban mirando todo desde lejos; entre ellas, María Magdalena, María (la madre de Santiago el menor y de José) y Salomé, que cuando Jesús estaba en Galilea, lo seguían para atenderlo; y además de ellas, otras muchas que habían venido con él a Jerusalén.

Al anochecer, como era el día de la preparación, víspera del sábado, vino José de Arimatea, miembro distinguido del sanedrín, que también esperaba el Reino de Dios. Se presentó con valor ante Pilato y le pidió el cuerpo de Jesús. Pilato se extrañó de que ya hubiera muerto, y llamando al oficial, le preguntó si hacía mucho tiempo que había muerto. Informado por el oficial, concedió el cadáver a José. Éste compró una sábana, bajó el cadáver, lo envolvió en la sábana y lo puso en un sepulcro excavado en una roca y tapó con una piedra la entrada del sepulcro. María Magdalena y María, la madre de José, se fijaron en dónde lo ponían.

 

Mis hermanos,

 Hoy celebramos La Pasión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Este es el comienzo de la Semana Santa que marca un viaje al día más importante del año: La Resurrección de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Sin embargo, hay mucho más por experimentar antes de llegar a ese punto de alegría. Para llegar a La Resurrección, primero viajamos por La Crucifixión. Esto se experimentará en el nivel más íntimo, comenzando con el Jueves Santo, el Viernes Santo, y luego hacia la Vigilia Pascual y la Alegría de la Pascua. Todo comienza hoy. Aquí reflexionamos sobre La Pasión y lo que Jesucristo sufrió voluntariamente para que podamos alcanzar la vida eterna y la salvación. Comienza aquí en serio. Nuestro viaje cuaresmal nos trajo a este punto. Ahora tenemos el desafío de unirnos aún más a Cristo Crucificado y sufrir lo que Él sufrió. A través de este sufrimiento, se encontrará un tipo especial de gracia.

La Pasión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo debe tener un gran significado para nosotros. A través de él, nos alienta a comprender más plenamente nuestra relación con Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Ser cristiano significa que vamos a sufrir. Es a través de este sufrimiento que nos acercamos más a Jesús y podemos comprender más plenamente quién es realmente esta persona, Jesucristo, y qué impacto puede tener en nuestras vidas. Vivir una vida como cristiano no es fácil. De hecho, es más difícil ser cristiano y aceptar a Jesús como nuestro salvador que la alternativa, que es abrazar el mundo físico que nos rodea y participar de todos los goces y tentaciones que lo acompañan. Jesucristo sufrió y murió por nosotros. Debemos sufrir y soportar muchas pruebas y tribulaciones si lo vamos a conocer íntimamente. Es a través de este sufrimiento, como el hierro forjado en el horno, que nos volvemos más fuertes y más vigilantes.

La experiencia de Cristo presenta a todos con un dilema. La sociedad, la morada de Satanás, ofrece una vida con expectativas preconcebidas. Se nos dice que si trabajamos duro, podemos recibir recompensas en forma de riqueza material, seguridad financiera y disfrutes que satisfagan nuestros anhelos físicos. Nos alienta a concentrarnos en reunir tesoros de dinero, deseo y cosas que nos estimulen física y mentalmente. Viviendo en el momento, estamos tentados a consumir lo que está frente a nosotros para complacer un desenfreno que se origina en nuestros sentidos físicos y está fortalecido por nuestro estado metálico. Vivir en el presente y luchar por estas cosas crea una mentalidad sobre las cosas que están aquí hoy y definitivamente desaparecerán mañana. Con esto, habrá períodos en los que estemos vacíos y queriendo más. Luego se nos dice que salgamos y obtengamos más. Es un círculo vicioso que puede llevar a una vida de persecución que nunca termina. Tómese un momento para reflexionar: ¿Cuánto tiempo pasamos tratando de reunir cosas para disfrutarlas solo para sentirse vacías y concentradas en tratar de obtener más? ¿Cuánto es en realidad suficiente? ¿Cuando termina?

La Pasión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo presenta una alternativa y una que es el fundamento de la Experiencia Cristiana. Se nos dice que desechemos todo lo que es material y que agradezcamos lo que tenemos como un regalo de Dios. Viviendo en el momento, el pasado se olvida con todos sus éxitos y fracasos. En el presente, somos solo nosotros y Jesucristo. A partir de ahí, nuestros problemas son aceptados. Estas son nuestras cruces. Jesucristo tuvo su cruz y nosotros la nuestra. Jesús no rechazó su cruz y estamos persuadidos a través de él de no rechazar la nuestra. Todos levantamos nuestras cruces juntas y las ponemos sobre nuestros hombros. Entonces caminamos. Al meditar en nuestra situación y lo que Jesús está haciendo, se volverá más claro para nosotros, que lo que Él hace es totalmente para beneficio de nosotros. Él no recibe nada a cambio de lo que está haciendo. Es a través de lo que Él está haciendo que realmente ganamos fortaleza para soportar nuestras cargas. Todo está hecho para nosotros a fin de apoyarnos y ayudarnos a superar lo que estamos enfrentando. En comparación con Jesús, nuestras cargas no son nada, porque sus cargas son las cargas de todo el mundo, mientras que las nuestras se centran en el yo.

Cuando las personas sufren juntas, hay fortaleza y alegría. Se forma un vínculo especial que no se puede romper. Aquellos que están fuera de ese sufrimiento siempre lo encontrarán difícil de entender, mientras que aquellos que están dentro comprenderán naturalmente y se volverán más cercanos a él. Este es el Camino Cristiano. Debido a que Jesucristo sufrió por nosotros, debemos sufrir para acercarnos más a él. Esto es especialmente cierto porque lo que hizo fue completamente para nosotros y fue por su propia elección. Él fue ofrecido por el Padre y aceptó todo.

Jesucristo nos invitó a todos a experimentar este viaje. Vemos esto en las vidas de los santos que nos han precedido. Todos ellos experimentaron vidas de dificultades físicas y mentales y fueron bendecidos con una relación especial con Jesús. Estas dificultades no estaban separadas de la experiencia de Cristo, sino que eran una parte intrincada. El sufrimiento condujo a una alegría explicable. A nosotros también se nos promete esta misma experiencia. Todos estamos destinados a santidad y encontrará mucho sufrimiento en el camino. Cuando caminamos La Pasión de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, en realidad estamos caminando nuestra propia Pasión. Acepta tu cruz fácilmente, camina con Jesús y levanta la cruz junto a la suya. Pronto, estaremos en el paraíso con él.

Diácono Tom

Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year A Readings
Lectionary: 31

Reading 1 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

The LORD said to Samuel:
"Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons."

As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
"Surely the LORD's anointed is here before him."
But the LORD said to Samuel:
"Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart."
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
"The LORD has not chosen any one of these."
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
"Are these all the sons you have?"
Jesse replied,
"There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep."
Samuel said to Jesse,
"Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here."
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
"There—anoint him, for this is the one!"
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6.

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading 2 Eph 5:8-14

Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."

Verse Before the Gospel Jn 8:12

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel Jn 9:1-41

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?"
Jesus answered,
"Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
"Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" —which means Sent—.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
"Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?"
Some said, "It is, "
but others said, "No, he just looks like him."
He said, "I am."
So they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?"
He replied,
"The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.'
So I went there and washed and was able to see."
And they said to him, "Where is he?"
He said, "I don't know."

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
"He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see."
So some of the Pharisees said,
"This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath."
But others said,
"How can a sinful man do such signs?"
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
"What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?"
He said, "He is a prophet."

Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
"Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?"
His parents answered and said,
"We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself."
His parents said this because they were afraid
of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
"He is of age; question him."

So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, "Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner."
He replied,
"If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see."
So they said to him,
"What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?"
He answered them,
"I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?
Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
They ridiculed him and said,
"You are that man's disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from."
The man answered and said to them,
"This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything."
They answered and said to him,
"You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?"
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
He answered and said,
"Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
Jesus said to him,
"You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he."
He said,
"I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
"I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind."

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?"
Jesus said to them,
"If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

 It is amazing how Jesus reveals himself to us by taking those whom society considers the least amongst us and lifts them up to the highest of heights and from there displays His glory and infinite wisdom. In the Scripture Reading today, God chose Jesse’s youngest son to be anointed by the prophet Samuel and to become King of Israel. David wasn’t even a consideration by both Jesse and Samuel; He wasn’t even invited to the banquet and instead was charged with tending the sheep in the field. In the end, it was David who God wanted because of his status and what others thought of him. God does not pass judgment on us the way we tend to do. There are no favorites with God. We all have the capability to be lifted to the highest of heights through Him. This potential that we all have is not earned but is given freely. Being God’s children, we have already obtained a greatness yet to be completely revealed to the world and to ourselves.

It is us who put limits on ourselves. These limitations have been slowly crafted and developed throughout our lives by the influence of Satan and a society that wishes to put everyone in a particular category or classification. Through this process, certain designated people become more important because of their wealth and position. At the same time, others suffer through events beyond their control. They are deemed less valuable; becoming expendable, a mere number when compared to the overall picture. For those who claim to see this is as an acceptable condition and one which fits into the structure of what is acceptable. God says otherwise through His actions and words. In a world without God, David could never be king. He was the youngest of eight and mitigated to the lowest of tasks: tending the family’s sheep. This was reflective of what everyone, even his father, thought of him. Yet God wanted him. God loved him. And God made him king.

 Regardless of what anyone thinks of us or where we find ourselves through the judgments of society, God loves all of us the same way. We are not expendable and we are not trash to be thrown away. Each and every one of us is a precious jewel waiting to be polished and treasured forever. So what if we are a little dirty and stained. God doesn’t care. He sees the brilliance in all of us beneath that. God will make us shine forth like the noonday sun if we only let the jeweler do His work. We need to surrender ourselves and let the professional do His work instead trying to do it ourselves.

Paul tells us that we are children of the light. That light is Jesus Christ. The light is so bright and so blinding that nothing can oppose it. Being a part of this light means it is also shining in us and through us. Anything that is part of the darkness cannot oppose it. Yes, the darkness will try to lure us away through false promises and the temptations of the flesh, but keeping close to Jesus Christ and invoking His name will prevent any type of defeat. Yes, there will always be struggles, but without them we cannot strengthen our faith and demonstrate to others what we have. Even when there is a perceived defeat, there is actually victory when we rise again strengthened by what Jesus has given us: faith, hope, and love. Nothing can overcome these things for we have received them through Jesus Christ. We learn from our past mistakes and adjust so as not to make them again. From there we go forward stronger and more confident than ever. To others we are weak. Through Jesus Christ we are invincible.

Blindness is a great thing the way Jesus speaks of it. It is an indication that all displayed before us has disappeared. A new truth is then revealed through Jesus Christ that opens our eyes to a new future and new possibilities through Him. We no longer see the past and the world before us is seen differently. It is seen through the eyes of Jesus Christ. What was before was nothing. What is now is only Jesus Christ.

Deacon Tom