Third Sunday of Easter

Lectionary: 48

Reading I

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders, did we not,
to stop teaching in that name?
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles
to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13

R  (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R  Alleluia.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
            and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
            you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R  I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R  Alleluia.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
            and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
            a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
            but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R  I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R  Alleluia.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
            O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
            O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R  I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R  Alleluia.

Reading II

Rev 5:11-14

I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels
who surrounded the throne
and the living creatures and the elders.
They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice:
            “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
                        to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,
                        honor and glory and blessing.”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and in the sea,
everything in the universe, cry out:
            “To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
                        be blessing and honor, glory and might,
                        forever and ever.”
The four living creatures answered, “Amen, “
and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Christ is risen, creator of all;
he has shown pity on all people.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Jn 21:1-19 or 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

Today we are celebrating the Third Sunday in the Easter Season. Our rejoicing continues as we spread the good news of The Resurrection of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ. There is no doubt that we have been affected in a positive way by this season. For forty days we walked with The Crucified Christ. We carried our own crosses upon our backs and bore the pain of the wounds we inflicted upon ourselves through our sins and transgressions. We whipped ourselves and beat ourselves up over our shortcomings. We then arrived at Calvary and were pierced by nails and raised up upon the same crosses which we carried. We suffered crucifixion next to our God. He looked at us with empathy and then took all that we suffered with upon Himself and then died because of the burden that He chose to take. We were relieved when He took away all our sufferings and then He chose to comfort us instead of focusing on His own pain. He took everything from us and relieved us because He loved us so much. Innocent He was, we in turn were condemned by our own guilt. Innocent that He was, we received a punishment that was equal to our crimes. In the words of Saint Dismus,

 

““Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41. And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42. And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43. And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:39-43

 

Saint Dismas is speaking to all of us. Regardless of our circumstances, Jesus did not deserve what He suffered. He did not deserve His sentence. He took this upon Himself freely and voluntarily so that we all may receive an opportunity of salvation and the forgiveness of our sins. He is reminding us of what we received freely through the sacrifice made by our God.

 

Now, as we celebrate The Resurrected Christ, we are given a model which to follow our lives by. Christ has risen. He has truly risen! Now we are commissioned to go out and celebrate this with unending joy and fervent vigor. We cannot let ourselves hold ourselves back. Instead, The Resurrected Christ should be the springboard into a new way of life and a transformative experience. Just as The Apostles emerged from their state of doubt and fear to profess Jesus Christ as God, we too should be doing the same thing. There should be no fear or apprehension regarding what we must do. The path is clear. We are obligated to spread The Good News of The Resurrected Christ to the entire world. Everyone who we interact with should be exposed to the truth and receive what we have received without cost and without earning it. Christ is risen and the world has been saved from itself.

 

Imagine The Apostles and disciples for a moment. At the crucifixion, they were scattered and in hiding, fearing for their own lives. Yet the Resurrection brought them a new life and hope that to this day has remained unparalleled. They all went out and confronted all that opposed them and the Message of Salvation without any fear of their lives. They faced all sorts of prosecution and threats of death without any fear. We are invited to do the same. Why shouldn’t we do the same? We walked with The Crucified Christ for 40 days and then embraced Him in His Resurrection. We are now partakers in everything that He has offered and given to us. He is our God and we are His children. We are then instructed to act accordingly. There is no reason to be shy and act with some sort of apprehension. Our God walks with us. He is The Resurrected Christ. Let us all acknowledge this and recognize this. As it was testified by The Apostle John, the entire Hosts of Heaven cried out,

 

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.”

 

Worthy indeed He was, and we are asked to conduct ourselves accordingly.

 

In the Gospel Reading today, we are offered further hope and encouragement. The Apostle Peter was mandated by Jesus Christ Himself to be the rock which Christ’s Church was to be founded on. Yet, at a critical point, he denied even knowing Jesus three times. Was this mandate to be withdrawn as a result? Was Peter to be ultimately rejected by Jesus? Absolutely not! Peter was offered a chance of redemption, just as we all are. Jesus never withdraws from those that He loves. He continuously offers an opportunity for forgiveness and healing. No one is beyond redemption. The Apostles and disciples needed interaction with The Resurrected Christ, just as we all need it today if we know it or not. We cannot live our faith if we do not have constant interaction with Jesus Christ. He is always here, offering intimacy and a relationship which He craves for. Our God wants to be our friend and He wants to love us.

 

Most of the secular world has already looked beyond The Easter Joy. We as Christians are encouraged to continue the celebration. In fact, this celebration should have no end. The Crucifixion is behind us and we are emersed in The Easter Joy. We are sons and daughters of The Resurrection. Let us act accordingly without limiting ourselves.

 

Deacon Tom

 

 

 

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Lectionary: 37 and 37

At the Procession with Palms - Gospel

Lk 19:28-40

Jesus proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany
at the place called the Mount of Olives,
he sent two of his disciples.
He said, “Go into the village opposite you,
and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered
on which no one has ever sat.
Untie it and bring it here.
And if anyone should ask you,
‘Why are you untying it?’
you will answer,
‘The Master has need of it.’”
So those who had been sent went off
and found everything just as he had told them.
And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them,
“Why are you untying this colt?”
They answered,
“The Master has need of it.”
So they brought it to Jesus,
threw their cloaks over the colt,
and helped Jesus to mount.
As he rode along,
the people were spreading their cloaks on the road;
and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives,
the whole multitude of his disciples
began to praise God aloud with joy
for all the mighty deeds they had seen.
They proclaimed:
            “Blessed is the king who comes
                        in the name of the Lord.
            Peace in heaven
                        and glory in the highest.”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”
He said in reply,
“I tell you, if they keep silent,
the stones will cry out!”

At the Mass – Reading I

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 II

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

Lk 22:14—23:56

When the hour came,
Jesus 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,
for, I tell you, I shall not eat it again
until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said,
“Take this and share it among yourselves;
for I tell you that from this time on
I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine
until the kingdom of God comes.”
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.

“And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me
is with me on the table;
for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined;
but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.”
And they began to debate among themselves
who among them would do such a deed.

Then an argument broke out among them
about which of them should be regarded as the greatest.
He said to them,
“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them
and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’;
but among you it shall not be so.
Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest,
and the leader as the servant.
For who is greater:
the one seated at table or the one who serves?
Is it not the one seated at table?
I am among you as the one who serves.
It is you who have stood by me in my trials;
and I confer a kingdom on you,
just as my Father has conferred one on me,
that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom;
and you will sit on thrones
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded
to sift all of you like wheat,
but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail;
and once you have turned back,
you must strengthen your brothers.”
He said to him,
“Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.”
But he replied,
“I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day,
you will deny three times that you know me.”

He said to them,
“When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals,
were you in need of anything?”
“No, nothing, “ they replied.
He said to them,
“But now one who has a money bag should take it,
and likewise a sack,
and one who does not have a sword
should sell his cloak and buy one.
For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me,
namely, He was counted among the wicked;
and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.”
Then they said,
“Lord, look, there are two swords here.”
But he replied, “It is enough!”

Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives,
and the disciples followed him.
When he arrived at the place he said to them,
“Pray that you may not undergo the test.”
After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling,
he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing,
take this cup away from me;
still, not my will but yours be done.”
And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him.
He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently
that his sweat became like drops of blood
falling on the ground.
When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples,
he found them sleeping from grief.
He said to them, “Why are you sleeping?
Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”

While he was still speaking, a crowd approached
and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas.
He went up to Jesus to kiss him.
Jesus said to him,
“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked,
“Lord, shall we strike with a sword?”
And one of them struck the high priest’s servant
and cut off his right ear.
But Jesus said in reply,
“Stop, no more of this!”
Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards
and elders who had come for him,
“Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
Day after day I was with you in the temple area,
and you did not seize me;
but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”

After arresting him they led him away
and took him into the house of the high priest;
Peter was following at a distance.
They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it,
and Peter sat down with them.
When a maid saw him seated in the light,
she looked intently at him and said,
“This man too was with him.”
But he denied it saying,
“Woman, I do not know him.”
A short while later someone else saw him and said,
“You too are one of them”;
but Peter answered, “My friend, I am not.”
About an hour later, still another insisted,
“Assuredly, this man too was with him,
for he also is a Galilean.”
But Peter said,
“My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.”
Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed,
and the Lord turned and looked at Peter;
and Peter remembered the word of the Lord,
how he had said to him,
“Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”
He went out and began to weep bitterly.
The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him.
They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying,
“Prophesy!  Who is it that struck you?”
And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

When day came the council of elders of the people met,
both chief priests and scribes,
and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.
They said, “If you are the Christ, tell us, “
but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe,
and if I question, you will not respond.
But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated
at the right hand of the power of God.”
They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”
He replied to them, “You say that I am.”
Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony?
We have heard it from his own mouth.”

Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate.
They brought charges against him, saying,
“We found this man misleading our people;
he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar
and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.”
Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
He said to him in reply, “You say so.”
Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds,
“I find this man not guilty.”
But they were adamant and said,
“He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea,
from Galilee where he began even to here.”

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean;
and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction,
he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.
Herod was very glad to see Jesus;
he had been wanting to see him for a long time,
for he had heard about him
and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.
He questioned him at length,
but he gave him no answer.
The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile,
stood by accusing him harshly.
Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him,
and after clothing him in resplendent garb,
he sent him back to Pilate.
Herod and Pilate became friends that very day,
even though they had been enemies formerly.
Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people
and said to them, “You brought this man to me
and accused him of inciting the people to revolt.
I have conducted my investigation in your presence
and have not found this man guilty
of the charges you have brought against him,
nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us.
So no capital crime has been committed by him.
Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

But all together they shouted out,
“Away with this man!
Release Barabbas to us.”
— Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion
that had taken place in the city and for murder. —
Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus,
but they continued their shouting,
“Crucify him!  Crucify him!”
Pilate addressed them a third time,
“What evil has this man done?
I found him guilty of no capital crime.
Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.”
With loud shouts, however,
they persisted in calling for his crucifixion,
and their voices prevailed.
The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted.
So he released the man who had been imprisoned
for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked,
and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away
they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian,
who was coming in from the country;
and after laying the cross on him,
they made him carry it behind Jesus.
A large crowd of people followed Jesus,
including many women who mourned and lamented him.
Jesus turned to them and said,
“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me;
weep instead for yourselves and for your children
for indeed, the days are coming when people will say,
‘Blessed are the barren,
the wombs that never bore
and the breasts that never nursed.’
At that time people will say to the mountains,
‘Fall upon us!’
and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’
for if these things are done when the wood is green
what will happen when it is dry?”
Now two others, both criminals,
were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called the Skull,
they crucified him and the criminals there,
one on his right, the other on his left.
Then Jesus said,
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
They divided his garments by casting lots.
The people stood by and watched;
the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said,
“He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
“If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”
Above him there was an inscription that read,
“This is the King of the Jews.”

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon
because of an eclipse of the sun.
Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”;
and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said,
“This man was innocent beyond doubt.”
When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened,
they returned home beating their breasts;
but all his acquaintances stood at a distance,
including the women who had followed him from Galilee
and saw these events.
Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who,
though he was a member of the council,
had not consented to their plan of action.
He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea
and was awaiting the kingdom of God.
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
After he had taken the body down,
he wrapped it in a linen cloth
and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb
in which no one had yet been buried.
It was the day of preparation,
and the sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind,
and when they had seen the tomb
and the way in which his body was laid in it,
they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils.
Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, a journey we take with Jesus Christ marked with the celebration of His Passion, The Last Supper, The Crucifixion, and His glorious Resurrection. Our Lenten Journey continues and now has become more intense. We have this remembrance of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem being proclaimed The Messiah, only to be then rejected by everyone; even those who knew Him most intimately. We are challenged to ask ourselves how many times in our lives we have done the same thing. How many times have we basked in the Glory of Jesus Christ, experiencing His unconditional love for us and being transformed by the experience? How many times have we been witnesses to the healing power of His Divine Mercy? How many times have we been in the place of those who welcomed Him into Jerusalem laying palms at His feet, only to spit on Him and insult Him later through our sinful thoughts and actions? We are the Jews. We are the Romans. We are all those who caused so much harm and pain on someone who did not deserve it. He is our savior and our God, yet we have continuously fallen short in acknowledging this.

 

The vestments that we wear are red, symbolizing the blood that Jesus shed for our sins and our salvation. It is through this blood that we have been redeemed. Today this blood is recognized and glorified. The Suffering Christ on the Cross is a constant reminder of that fact. As the Apostle Paul proclaimed, “We preach the Crucified Christ!” There is no Resurrection without The Crucifixion.” Christ suffered a most horrendous death so as to conquer death, revealing God’s glorious plan for us who are His children. What a wonderful and beautiful act. It was and always will be an act of pure love. It we are to be fully committed to our faith and to our God, then we must let these acts affect us on a spiritual, mental, and physical level. We need to let Christ’s pain become our pain and let His suffering become our suffering. It is through suffering that a beautiful grace is encountered. It is a constant reminder that the price for our sins has already been paid through The Blood of the Cross.

 

What are to do in reaction to what our savior did for us? How can we repay Him who has everything? He wants nothing more than us to love Him and to react to His love. To do this we need to follow His example. As He instructed his Apostles:

 

“Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest,

and the leader as the servant.

For who is greater:

the one seated at table or the one who serves?

Is it not the one seated at table?”

 

We should all be servants and slaves to Him, each in the capacity that we can do so. We should not aspire to things on this earth but more things that are from heaven, just as our heavenly Father dwells in heaven. Our hearts, minds, and souls should be transfixed on that which is eternal. When the eternal takes precedent over that which is from the earth, then we are more apt to do things in the name of Jesus then for ourselves. Selflessness in the Image of Jesus Christ is the way to go, for we were created in His image. That image includes The Crucified Christ.

 

To enter The Lord’s Passion, we should meditate on the images set forth in The Gospel Reading today. Today is the greatest day, for we have begun the final days of our journey. This part of our journey which continue own journey down into the darkness, into the deepest recesses of a tomb. We have no fear of this, for we know what is waiting on the other side: The Light that always conquers the darkness. The Light of Jesus Christ.

 

Deacon Tom