Beguiled by the Father

It’s terrible to think on this title: Beguiled by the Father; but I think it’s worst to imagine to be indoctrinated into a religion.

The title is a mere way of provoking the attention of those who are so cautious on this matter, but we should never forget that the bottom line of a vocation is a love story with God: 

 

O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded;

You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. Jer 20:7

Nothing will happen in our life if The Father does not talk to our hearts. We can have wonderful ideas of God but He doesn’t dwell in us, unless we learn from Him:

«Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.

Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father.»

When Peter was able to reply Who was Jesus and profess He is the Messiah, Jesus rippled: 

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

The Father who makes all things possible. Only the Father knows everything : Mt 24:36 « ...about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.»

The journey with the Father, being in dialogue with Him, He will never abandon His children. If the worst human father will do everything to give food to his children, so how much more the Heavenly Father. So that’s why The Father gives us Jesus as the Bread of Life. «... the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world.» 

The Father wants us to have Eternal life and the whole world will know it, because of the life glowing in us.

————————

Gospel Reading:  Jn 6:44-51

Jesus addressed the crowd, "No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise him up on the last day. It has been written in the Prophets: They shall all be taught by God. So whoever listens and learns from the Father comes to me.

"For no one has seen the Father except the One who comes from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

"I am the bread of life. Though your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, they died. But here you have the bread which comes from heaven so that you may eat of it and not die.

"I am the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world."

The flesh is weak

What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit. Jn 3:6

Man has the capacity to transcend and it’s very important that he won’t be a slave of the flesh. The flesh composed of appetite and instincts succumbs easily to the worldly allurement. His primary objective is material and physical.

So Jesus reminded His disciples during the battle of spirit in the garden of Gethsemani: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mt 26:41

Prayer is the power of the spirit. Prayer teaches man not to submit to his fears and worries. Prayer is opening up to the realm of Spirit, the dimension of God, which is literally the dimension of love & hope. 

Jesus I entrust to you all my battles,

my weaknesses and all my temptations;

I come to you and I ask your Holy Spirit.

Help me not to submit to the works of the enemy: deception & lies;

increase my faith, increase my love and adoration to your Holy Name so I will always give praise and glory to the Father.

This I pray in your name, in communion to the Holy Spirit.

Born from above

Getting renewed in the spirit is being born again. It’s not a religious group but it’s living in the dimension of faith. Something beyond a word can describe. It’s an interior experience with the Lord. It’s an experience that comes from the resurrection of Jesus. We simply call it a “Paschal Experience”. It’s His profound interaction with the Father. No words can fathom it.

It’s not a fruit of a personal effort. It’s not a theological explanation. It’s the love experience of the cross that gives new life and new light in all the situations of life. It’s not the absence of pain and suffering but it’s the presence of a stronger love that no worries or troubles can distract.

Paschal experience is the presence of Jesus amidst His disciples. “He is & His being there” : Gave joy to His disciples that on that instance were “lockdown” in the Cenacle. “Being born from above” is becoming filled with the full knowledge of God’s love. His death and His resurrection are the fundamental reasons of ones joy and hope. 

It’s not the absence of any problem but it’s the interior conviction that comes from the hope of the Risen Christ. That all things may come and go, but Jesus is with us, whatever will happen He is the hope and He is there to save us. Nothing can break His love. His mercy is stronger than any other forces. He walks with us and He will do everything to save us. The same consciousness He had with His Father. He lives always in our hearts, He dwells in us.

Being born from above, is living continually such relationship with the Heavenly Father. Who provides everything to His children. Who will never allow any dangers to His love ones to whom He offered His Only Begotten Son. Gods mercy is not fruit of man’s goodness and betterment, it’s a manifestation of His true Fatherly Nature. Being born from above is an act of faith, whatever will happen He is Father to me. Everything He will do is for His children, so it means despite of the all the hardships and difficulties, the  Father who sent Jesus to save the whole world, is the same Father who created the world, and He will be the same Father who will make a way where it seems to be no way. 

Right now ask the Holy Spirit to make this rebirth, BE BORN FROM ABOVE!

It’s the assurance of a dynamic faith. One can be a good preacher but can’t have this glowing experience in the spirit. One can be a Bible scholar but full of pride and arrogance. Or one can be gifted in healing illnesses but he continually feels unsatisfied. Ask the Lord to have this Born From Above Experience, it’s more than any other thing in this world.

Prayer:

Almighty Father, I worship you and I glorify your name;

I magnify you for the gift of faith that you have granted me through Jesus;

I humbly ask in His name so to honor you always to Be Born From Above,

Through Him, with Him, in Him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

Gospel JN 3:1-8

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
He came to Jesus at night and said to him,
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God,
for no one can do these signs that you are doing
unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,
“How can a man once grown old be born again?
Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”
Jesus answered,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless one is born of water and Spirit
he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
What is born of flesh is flesh
and what is born of spirit is spirit.
Do not be amazed that I told you,
‘You must be born from above.’
The wind blows where it wills,
and you can hear the sound it makes,
but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes;
so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Prayer to the Risen Lord

Thank you Jesus, for your great love to me.

In front of your cross I kneel down to give you thanks and to honor you as my Lord and my savior.

I rise up and I submit to you all the things that burden me and make me suffer.

I want to follow the Path of Resurrection so not to remain imprisoned to sadness.

Your Holy Spirit consoles me, guides me and frees me from the nausea of being far from you.

Fill me with your Spirit my Lord and restore my broken heart, that I may always praise the Father who has created me with wisdom and love.

Make me conscious of His faithfulness in order that I may not drip into the vortex of my sorrows.

I ask you Lord Jesus, to let your precious blood flow over me right now, on my health, on my problems: to my job, to my family, to my addictions, and to all the situations that are so difficult right now in my life.

Jesus, I trust in you and I praise you for all the things that you have done to me. 

Unite me each day to Blessed Mary, so to take care always the mission of the Church witnessing your work completed in me.

Thank you for your precious blood that you have poured out for healing my pains and delivering me away from harm.

Thank you Jesus and I praise you always. Amen.

He is risen!

Indeed He is Risen!

His wounds remained but it has no longer power on Him, the hurt was gone, the scar is the only reminder because Resurrection won’t cancel what was gone through.

Being resurrected with Christ is becoming transformed, where the pain is no longer the ultimate word, but the hope gives another significance. When the light of the sun shines what the darkness concealed  is no longer relevant.

Jesus don’t eradicate your problems but He tells you not to be sad because your problem is not the ultimate word of your destiny.

His resurrection breaks the bond of sadness and helplessness. He continually reminds us that the tomb is empty and His love conquers all our fears and worries.

It’s no longer how to make my life a better one? But it’s how I live the difficulties of my life in relation to my faith and to the resurrection of my Savior? There will always be trials and difficulties in life, without them, it won’t be an interesting one, or a christian life. But what makes it more meaningful is to live each day with that hope and faith that no matter what everything has its sense.

Resurrection is not the absence of difficulties, but the consciousness that gives sense to every obstacle of happiness. True happiness is the blessedness of life that whatever life brings nothing can seize the joy of living. Example: I can face every problem if I know that my actual  problem is not as great as my God who loves me. If it seems so tough, I entrust everything to my Lord, He knows better what lies ahead of my life. No matter what, I praise my Lord because He will be with me till the end of time.

The secret of resurrection lies on the cross:

1. Learn to accept it

2. Bear it

3. Believe that this cross is not your death

4. Face whatever it takes to that cross, even it cost you everything

5. Put your trust to Jesus, even it cost you to be with Him in hell

6. Learn to wait and listen to the Word of God everyday in your life

7. Tame your mind with the knowledge of His Promise and of His Faithfulness

8. Never doubt

9. Believe that He loves you more than anything else

10. Rise with Him

Christos Anesti ("Χριστός ἀνέστη!" - "Christ is Risen!" in Coptic and Greek)

INDEED HE IS RISEN!!!




He is risen, He lives and He reigns!

There are very important moments during the celebration of the Easter Vigil.

* Lucernarium Rite - is the Solemn Blessing of the Fire; opposite to Lucifer (lux ... ferre...) "the holder of the light" who believed to be the light himself.

* The Procession of the Paschal Candle with the acclamation of LUMEN CHRISTI - (The Light of Christ) ; DEO GRATIAS - the response of the people (Thanks be to God)

* The Easter Proclamation : EXSULTET
   - The proclamation of the battle which Jesus himself have already won

* THE READINGS OF THE STORY OF DELIVERANCE AND FREEDOM...
  - All these readings are narration of the story of God's intervention in the whole history of humanity in the Sacred Scriptures

* The BLESSING OF THE WATER AND THE BAPTISMAL FONT
  - This reminds us the meaning of the Holy Water and it's power because of the immersion of Jesus on His Paschal Mystery (crucifixion, death and resurrection).


The celebration of the easter vigil is considered as the NOTTE DELLE NOTTI, the Mother of all the Nights. Where the darkness was been overthrown by the power of the Light, who is Jesus: The Lord of lords, The Light of the world and The Light that breaks the darkness of death and despair.

           EXSULTET ....

These, then, are the feasts of Passover,
in which is slain the Lamb, the one true Lamb,
whose Blood anoints the doorposts of believers.

This is the night,
when once you led our forebears, Israel’s children,
from slavery in Egypt
and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea.

This is the night
that with a pillar of fire
banished the darkness of sin.

This is the night
that even now, throughout the world,
sets Christian believers apart from worldly vices
and from the gloom of sin,
leading them to grace
and joining them to his holy ones.

This is the night,
when Christ broke the prison-bars of death
and rose victorious from the underworld.

Our birth would have been no gain,
had we not been redeemed.
O wonder of your humble care for us!
O love, O charity beyond all telling,
to ransom a slave you gave away your Son!

O truly necessary sin of Adam,
destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!

O happy fault
that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!

O truly blessed night,
worthy alone to know the time and hour
when Christ rose from the underworld!

This is the night
of which it is written:
The night shall be as bright as day,
dazzling is the night for me,
and full of gladness. The sanctifying power of this night
dispels wickedness, washes faults away,
restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,
drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.

On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,
accept this candle, a solemn offering,
the work of bees and of your servants’ hands,
an evening sacrifice of praise,
this gift from your most holy Church.

But now we know the praises of this pillar,
which glowing fire ignites for God’s honor,
a fire into many flames divided,
yet never dimmed by sharing of its light,
for it is fed by melting wax,
drawn out by mother bees
to build a torch so precious.

O truly blessed night,
when things of heaven are wed to those of earth,
and divine to the human.

Therefore, O Lord,
we pray you that this candle,
hallowed to the honor of your name,
may persevere undimmed,
to overcome the darkness of this night.
Receive it as a pleasing fragrance,
and let it mingle with the lights of heaven.
May this flame be found still burning
by the Morning Star:
the one Morning Star who never sets,
Christ your Son,
who, coming back from death’s domain,
has shed his peaceful light on humanity,
and lives and reigns for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Click here for the complete version of the Lucernarium Rite
THE SOLEMN BEGINNING OF THE VIGIL OR LUCERNARIUM

"HE DESCENDED INTO HELL. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN"

<sup>Getting into the tombs is the worst experience, because there's so much darkness and it's hard to accept that certain things were hidden there: skeletons, things that are considered unworthy to be revealed, and has just to be forgotten.


«… He too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—  and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.» (Hebrews 2:14-15)




Jesus "DESCENDED INTO HELL" ... into the lower parts of the earth. 
        «He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens."

The Apostles' Creed confesses in the same article Christ's descent into hell and his Resurrection from the dead on the third day, because in his Passover it was precisely out of the depths of death that he made life spring forth:

Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead, and shed his peaceful light on all mankind, your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 631)

It’s necessary not to jump into an easter celebration, forgetting the descension to the lowest parts of our existence, areas where we kept the hard truth of our life.

It’s necessary to face whatever it may cost, because only by facing the reality of our weaknesses that we can tackle all our fears and worries.  Truth of ourselves that putting us always uncertain, despite of the beautiful and very strong truth of the Love of Jesus. The Devil can continue enslaving us, because there are those parts where we continually give him the authority to dwell. Those areas where we hide the sad truth of our being human, having done errors, committed failures, etc.

Now, try to imagine all the things that you have kept in these inner tomb of your soul, where you hide the truth of your of fears... you slowly open it to Jesus, and let His love and light enter in your life now as you rejoice His Resurrection.

Prayer:

Jesus, I give you authority in every part of my life,
especially in the inner tomb of my existence where I kept all my fears,
I ask you Lord, to bring Light and Love,
break all these powers of darkness within me.
Allow me not to succumb, instead grant me strength
- to live my new self, being child of yours,
- to keep your light in my life despite of all the challenges,
- to have serenity to face all my enemies and never have fear on them
- to adore you always as the Lord of My Existence.
Thank you Jesus forever.</sup>

Good Friday Homily - Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

https://youtu.be/srifm48DKsE

Ite, missa est! #WHYWECALLITMASS

Ite, missa est!

We used to say the Holy Mass, but the Bible talks about the “Dinner”, the Supper, the Passover supper, the Meal and the Breaking of the Bread, or better to call the “Feast”, “The Celebration” because wherever two or three are gathered in His name, He is amidst of them.

This particular moment of sharing the food is so special for lovers and for those who do business thus, to make agreements. Eucharist by its etymology: based on ecclesiastical Greek eukharistia ‘thanksgiving’, from Greek eukharistos ‘grateful’, from eu ‘well’ + kharizesthai ‘offer graciously’ (from kharis ‘grace’). For us Catholics it’s a sacrament where Jesus committed Himself into a very serious offer: “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Lk 22:19-20)

REMEMBERING JESUS and claiming such price for the forgiveness of our sins, the costless offer to break the bondage of sin and disgrace. The Lord on this passover meal, offered Himself totally not only to His friends by serving them, but most of all to the one who would have betrayed Him. Such gift of Himself is very important to understand because He was offered by the Father so to bring remedy to the soul of every man: “by his wounds we are healed” (1 Pt 2:24; Is 53:5)

These words weren’t understood by many and a lot deserted Him:
“Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53-58)

The term “mass” comes from the last greeting “Ite, missa est”, meaning “Go, the eucharist has been consumed” or “Go to mission, the flesh of the Lord have just been received, bring it with you and testify the great gift that you have tasted. So bring hope and forgiveness, as you have been forgiven and redeemed”.

Prayer:
Thank you Jesus,
I adore You,
I praise You,
I worship You,
I honor You…

Soul of Christ, be my sanctification.
Body of Christ, be my salvation.
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins.
Water of Christ’s side, wash out my stains.
Passion of Christ, my comfort be.
O good Jesus, listen to me.
In Thy wounds I fain would hide,
N’er to be parted from Thy side,
Guard me, should the foe assail me.
Call me when my life shall fail me.
Bid me come to Thee above,
With Thy saints to sing Thy love,
World without end. Amen.

WHAT'S HOLY IN THE HOLY THURSDAY?

HOLY THURSDAY OR MAUNDY THURSDAY

Holy Thursday or MaundyThursday is the start of the Paschal Triduum, meaning the three days before Easter or the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The term Maunday, comes from the Latin term “mandatum” (mandate) or “mandatum novum” (The New Commandment, see John 13:34)

Holy Thursday is also called the COVENANT THURSDAY, GREAT THURSDAY, SHEER THURSDAY AND THURSDAY OF MYSTERIES.

Sheer Thursday another name for Maundy Thursday;  Sheer (meaning ‘blameless, clear’) is an allusion to the purification of the soul by confession on that day, in preparation for Good Friday, and perhaps also to the traditional washing of the altars.

Covenant Thursday or Thursday of Mysteries, refer to the Promise of Jesus, His New and Everlasting covenant:  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)  So He had given the example to His disciples by washing their feet, sign of a concrete Love: Service. “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (Jn 13:8).

On this Solemn Day, we celebrate important moments of our Christian Catholic Faith:
1. The Feast or The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist - The Last Supper - The so called “Holy Mass” for the Catholics.
2. The Day of all Priests - Ministerial Priesthood
3. The Service - As Christians, we should never forget the MANDATUM NOVUM or The New Commandment “…you must love one another… By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

#7LASTWORD "Woman, here is your son!"

Woman, here is your son!  (Jn 19:26).

Calling His mother Woman or Lady, wasn’t a less respect to her. Rather, Jesus called woman as His way of exulting, “Woman, great is your faith! Your request is granted” (Mt 15:28); to the crippled woman for 18 years He said: “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity”. (Lk 13:12); to the Samaritan woman: “Woman, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem” (John 4:21). Woman as a “mother”, the only creature capable of giving birth to a new man. Because she witnessed the work of God, giving life to the biological body of Jesus, so she’s now ready to be the mother of the “Mystical Body” of Christ, which is the Church. And the most precious act a disciple can do to Jesus was to do God's will, and He equated that to His Mother (Mk 3:33). It was a way to assert and confirm the dignity of His mother, whomsoever knows the Word of God and put it into practice will do the Will of the Father, and will never get down from the Cross. Since the day of His conception, the Angel announced already to His mother: "Rejoice, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Lk 1:28)

Calling His mother Woman, at this crucial moment before His death was a way of entrusting to His mother the fate of those who believe in Him, because Mary: Daughter of the Father, Mother of the Son, and Spouse of the Holy Spirit, was always been a true believer.  In the first miracle of Cana, during the wedding when Mary appealed to Jesus, and He replied "Woman, why do you involve me?", and she just kept silent and said to the servers: “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5). Undoubtedly, His mother really have known what He is capable to do, and as a believer to the Word she said,  "Do whatever He tells you". 

At the Cross,  it was through His mother, who stood with John at His feet who dispelled all fear. Mary, she as a mother and a believer, sorrowful but never desperate, she filled that scene with tenderness and hope, and Jesus no longer felt alone.  Neither us, if beside our bed of pain there is someone who loves us! Faithfully. To the end.

In that scene, there was a subtle transmission of love. Because after that pronouncement: “Here is your mother”, FROM THAT TIME ON, THIS DISCIPLE TOOK HER INTO HIS HOME. (John 19:27)

Prayer:
All loving Father in Heaven, we love you so much and we want you to give us the joy and strength to be strong in times of difficulties and helplessness.
Jesus on the Cross, has never left us orphans because He has given us the Holy Spirit and He has entrusted His mother to John, the image of the universal church.
Mary, as the first disciple of the “Incarnated Word”, used to treasure and ponder the mysteries of the Holy Scriptures in her heart.
Teach us  to bear the signs of times that we are living so that we may discover the victory of Your Love on this Time of Signs.
This we pray in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever.

#7LASTWORD "Today you will be with me in paradise!"

Today you will be with me in paradise!

Verily, I say unto you, today thou shalt be with me in paradise. Lk 23:43

Today you will be with me in paradise. These words of Jesus was his response to the one who asked Him, Lord remember me when you will be in your Kingdom. Today defines the actual moment, like: «give us today our daily bread ». The adverb of time that is commonly use to indicate: “at the present time”, “at this time” or “very soon”.  But “time” has two connotations in greek: the Kronos  and the Kairos.  The first one refers to the indefinite continued progress of existence and events, measured in hours, minutes and seconds. But the latter, the Kairos, is the “opportune time”; “the proper or the favorable time for action”.

Today you will be with me in paradise. There was an immediate reply with no further a due or demand of request. Jesus knew so well that the man who was asking him to be “remembered” wasn’t a morally upright person or a temple goer. He was hanged there and crucified because he deserved of such punishment as a criminal.

Salvation comes from the Lord. It’s not fruit of our merits and labors, or some exaggerated religiosities, because God can raise up children for Abraham out of the stones (cfr. Lk 3:8; Mt 3:9), God doesn't need religious men and women to manifest His power and might, somehow what a believer can do is to produce fruit  in keeping with repentance. Thus, God can do wonders. Jesus himself doesn't like those who pray and babble like pagans, thinking that they would be heard because of their many words (Mt 6:7). This "criminal" got the right password of hope: "Remember me Lord..."

Faith and repentance go together. Lately, because of CoVid-19, there are a lot of Apocalyptic pastors disseminating fear, urging repentance and coming back to God. But surely it’s not because of love and faith, but out of Fear. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 Jn 4,18)

The “converted criminal” has not done nothing to be deserving of paradise, but he has loved Jesus as his God because of what he has witnessed, so he confessed:

“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lk 23:41-42

Prayer
Jesus, I know that my good actions aren’t enough to save myself from any punishment because of my sins.  I humbly come to you and ask your Holy Spirit that I may believe and increase my faith.

Loving Father in heaven, I ask forgiveness to all my sins in the name of Jesus and I declare your work of redemption, remembering the greatest expression of your love to all mankind by allowing your only Son to die on Cross so to save all men.

Because of this, I ask you Loving Father, healing from my pains and my sufferings caused by ….. (name the cause), and I also pray for the healing of those who are suffering right now because of the Corona Virus.

Thank you Jesus, thank you for giving me today this certainty, today is the opportune time of my salvation, the favorable time of my deliverance and healing. I worship you my Lord and I adore you now and forever.

The priceless love

#holymonday #openup #ephphatha

The pouring of the costly perfumed oil at the feet of Jesus and drying it up with her hair is a concrete demonstration of love. It’s priceless. It has no economic value, it contains the quality of a pure sentiment. The love of a person who have crossed over to a lot of sins. There’s no bitterness in her heart remained or any resentment, simply a new total capacity of loving.

The whole house was filled by its fragrance. Her life was totally changed so Mary offered the best that she could. This is the beauty and the newness that we should learn in Mary’s act of adoration. Unconditional love received so in return she offered the best, so Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial.” Nobody could stop her love, all her sins were forgiven. 

Conversion is not just becoming good, it’s becoming more beautiful. An explosion of the whole personhood giving the most colorful and meaningful sense of ones existence. That’s why Mary Magdalene was the first one to meet the Resurrected Christ, while Judah died killing his miserable life. Mary’s crossover from sin was marked by the grace and mercy that the Lord has offere.  Indeed, she was the first to see and announce the resurrection of the Lord.

Unless we come to a real and personal encounter with Jesus, our life will remain a tomb of pains and frustrations. No prayers and novenas can change us. We just turn to be haters and negative to all. We will continually hide to the religious practices but everything will be a lie because there’s no betterment and signs of compassion. 

Prayer:

Father God, 

I honor your mercy and goodness offered to me. 

I worship you because despite of my sinfulness you have given me the ultimate happiness, Jesus.

Touch me Jesus, and allow me to keep you dearly in my heart as I offer you the most precious thing in me (from the secret of your heart offer Jesus the best that you can).

Wrap me oh Holy Spirit of your light that I may repent all my sins and you may heal my brokenness.

From the Gospel according to John

JN 12:1-11

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,

where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and annointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;

the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,

and the one who would betray him, said,

“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages

and given to the poor?”

He said this not because he cared about the poor

but because he was a thief and held the money bag

and used to steal the contributions.

So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.

Let her keep this for the day of my burial.

You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,

not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,

whom he had raised from the dead.

And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,

because many of the Jews were turning away

and believing in Jesus because of him.

#7LASTWORD "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

THE SEVEN LAST WORD

The seven last words of Jesus on the cross are the transcendence of hope.  Jesus cross over all the darkness of night and abandons himself confidently into the arms of his Father. It is the cry of the dying, the groan of the despairing, the entreaty of the lost. It is Jesus!

On these 7 days before Easter, it's beautiful to meditate these precious last words of our Light and Hope, the Kyrios (The Lord), who died and resurrected.

First Day: "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO." Lk 23:34

The first word, is acknowledgment and respectful address of a child to the one who gives him life: "Father", "Abba", "Papa", "Dad", etc. Jesus had always the KNOWLEDGE of BEING THE SON.

Jesus said: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. John 5:19-20

Jesus until the end never forgot that all He did wasn't for His own glory, but everything was in obedience to the will of the Father.  The will of the Father is the conversion of the sinner and not his death.

The worst sin is ignorance, when one ignores what is right and what is just. Many sinned by ignorance because they never have known the signs of hope. Hope that comes from the love of the Father that gives strength to a true conversion. The knowledge of hope that the "PRODIGAL SON" had, the BEAUTIFUL MEMORY OF HIS FATHER'S HOUSE: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

The TRUE HOPE that the devil doesn't want to let people know is THE FORGIVENESS that REDEEMS & RESTORES:  ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (cfr. Lk 15)

BRING THE BEST ROBE - it's giving back ones dignity, because SIN causes curse and death, destroys the interior dress of being children of the Father.

PUT A RING ON HIS FINGER - the ring means the "SONSHIP", being Son of the Father, the "BELONGINGNESS"; the RING that brings the EMBLEM of the family.

BRING SANDALS ON HIS FEET - remove the uneasyness caused by being barefooted, thus, it's giving back the total security to the beloved. 

LET'S  FEAST AND CELEBRATE - Eucharist (thanksgiving), Convivial celebration, the REJOICING AND the WORSHIP - the FEAST OF JOY, the Eating-Together: Communion.


Prayer:

Jesus, by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
Let your blood be on me, so to heal me and cleanse every curse caused by my sins and to all those sins that are on my bloodline.
Jesus, let your Cross be in my thoughts so rid out every memory of fear and trauma, and your Holy Spirit can guide me with better thoughts and ideas.
Holy Father, remind me always of your INFINITE LOVE, a love with no-measures because it's endless.
This I pray in your name Jesus, my Lord and my Savior.

The reckoning of Judas Iscariot

^{THE COST - Mt 26:14-16}

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

Judas wasn’t the naive disciple of Jesus. Actually he was very advance in foreseeing things. When that lady who poured out the perfume on Jesus’ feet he immediately reproved: “Why was this annointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?”. He said it, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the money bag he used to get himself to what was put into it.

Judas was brilliant and pretentious, he seemed to be generous and really interested of the welfare of others. But his interest was only to get more money for himself; more money means more power. Power, means "possibility". His avidity of money hides his desire of power. Jesus knew everything about him, his vice and his weaknesses of being attached to money. But He never fired him, or removed him from his being apostle. Instead, Jesus loved him more.

Despite of everything, Jesus tried to demonstrate to Judas that there's a stronger "power" (possibility), that is Love. The love of money destroys, while the love that is selfless saves: «Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.»

There were two reasons why Judas sold Jesus, first because he was obsessed with money, and second he expected that putting the "Rabbi" on challenge by handing him to the enemies, will unveil the "messianic" triumphant power of the master. Thus, it's an additional profit for him because there will be an increase of GDP Gross Domestic Product. More "power" more money, more "money", more possibilities (power).

The realization was: Judas, the betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.” Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself.

Money can buy a lot of things... many things but not all things. Many are led astray, even great people in the world because of money; thus, what the money can’t buy are the things most valuable that is beyond every monetary measure. 

The Palm Sunday

Why Palm Sunday is important for Christians?

It’s the milestone of the resurrection of the Lord. A week before Easter. 

It’s importance is on the declaration of Jesus as Kyrios in Greek which means Lord. The Lordship of Jesus and His triumphant entrance to the city of Jerusalem.

It marks the beginning of the Holy Week.The symbolism of the palm which indicates the traditional symbol of victory and it was spread out on the streets because the people has considered Him as the Messiah who will drive out the Roman Empire’s domination in the Holy Land. This great event is truely huge, but the clumsy thing was the King of kings on a donkey, not on a stallion or on a warrior horse. 

What makes Palm Sunday of Year 2020 special?

The victory of Jesus’ Lordship in the hearts of all the believers, not so much on the palms and branches on the streets, but rejoicing in His reign of Peace amidst fear and desperation of the Corona Virus in every place of the world.  

The victory that comes from His mercy despite of all the limitations to exercise rituals and processions. This demonstrates that faith can’t be under arrest, it won’t be seized by any viruses. The powerful sign that can tackle fear and solitude is the strength that radiates from the heart of Jesus, His heart near to our pains and miseries.

Nothing can stop the hope that the Church celebrates on this Passover, as we proclaim the glorious hope of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Mysterium fidei...The mystery of faith

• Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
• Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
• When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.
• Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.

The ESCALATION OF COMMITMENT

April 5, 2020 - THE PALM SUNDAY

Gospel – Matthew 26:14-27:66

<sup>As you read this gospel of the Passion of our Lord, try to read it slowly and try to notice every single matter that catches your attention.  Try to be on that scene and reflect what He has done for love.


THE COST
14</sup>  One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests
¹⁵  and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver,
¹⁶  and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.


 ^{THE APPOINTMENT
17}  On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
¹⁸  He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.”‘”
¹⁹  The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
       
THE BETRAYER
²⁰  When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve.
²¹  And while they were eating, he said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
²²  Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?”
²³  He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me.
²⁴  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.”
²⁵  Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”

THE MEAL
²⁶  While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
²⁷  Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,
²⁸  for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
²⁹  I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.”
³⁰  Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.


 THE WARNING
³¹  Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed; ³²  but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.”
         * It's interesting to understand the words of Jesus saying "This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken".  A strong faith doesn't mean a total faith with no difficulties and trials. A strong faith is a result of a very strong persecution or a very tough crisis. Being disciples of Jesus we need to understand that the "dark nights of the soul" is part of the journey of faith.  It will never be without that terrible moment that could shake ones decision or else it won't be faith at all. 
         * I SHALL GO BEFORE YOU TO GALILEE - It's the challenge for the disciples and an invitation to go to the place where Jesus grew up; the place of his childhood and 

THE ARROGANCE OF PETER
³³  Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.”
³⁴  Jesus said to him, “Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.”
³⁵  Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.

 THE MOMENT IN GETHSEMANE
³⁶  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.”
³⁷  He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress.
³⁸  Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”
³⁹  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.”

 THE SLEEPING DISCIPLES
⁴⁰  When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?
⁴¹  Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
⁴²  Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”
⁴³  Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open.
⁴⁴  He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.
⁴⁵  Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
⁴⁶  Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”


THE CAPTURE
⁴⁷  While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
⁴⁸  His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him.”
⁴⁹  Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and he kissed him.
⁵⁰  Jesus answered him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.
⁵¹  And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his ear.
⁵²  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
⁵³  Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?
⁵⁴  But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way?”
⁵⁵  At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me.
⁵⁶  But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.


 IN FRONT OF THE HIGH PRIEST

⁵⁷  Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
⁵⁸  Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome.
 
⁵⁹  The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death,
⁶⁰  but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
⁶¹  who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.'”
⁶²  The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?”
⁶³  But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
⁶⁴  Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.'”

⁶⁵  Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy;
⁶⁶  what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!”
⁶⁷  Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him,
⁶⁸  saying, “Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?”


 THE DENIAL OF A FRIEND
⁶⁹  Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”
⁷⁰  But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!”
⁷¹  As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.”
⁷²  Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!”
⁷³  A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.”
⁷⁴  At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed.
⁷⁵  Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.

 IN FRONT OF THE GOVERNOR
¹  When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people
took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
²  They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
³  Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
⁴  saying, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? Look to it yourself.”
⁵  Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself.
⁶  The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, “It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood.”
⁷  After consultation, they used it to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.
⁸  That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood.
⁹  Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet,
And they took the thirty pieces of silver,
the value of a man with a price on his head,
a price set by some of the Israelites,
¹⁰  and they paid it out for the potter’s field
just as the Lord had commanded me.


THE UNJURIDICAL PROCESS
¹¹  Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.”
¹²  And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer.
¹³  Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” 
¹⁴  But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.
¹⁵  Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished.
¹⁶  And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
¹⁷  So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ?”
¹⁸  For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over.


THE PREMONITION OF THE WIFE OF THE GOVERNOR
¹⁹  While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him.”
²⁰  The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus.
²¹  The governor said to them in reply, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They answered, “Barabbas!”
²²  Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”
²³  But he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” They only shouted the louder, “Let him be crucified!”


PILATE WASHED HIS HANDS
²⁴  When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. Look to it yourselves.”
²⁵  And the whole people said in reply, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.”
²⁶  Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.


THE GENESIS OF SHAME
²⁷  Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him.

²⁸  They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him.

²⁹  Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

³⁰  They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head.

³¹  And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.

THE WAY TO CALVARY
³²  As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.
³³  And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull),
³⁴  they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink.



THE CRUCIFIXION
³⁵  After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots;
³⁶  then they sat down and kept watch over him there.
³⁷  And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.
³⁸  Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left.
³⁹  Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads
⁴⁰  and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross!”
⁴¹  Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said,
⁴²  “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
⁴³  He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.'”
⁴⁴  The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.

THE DARKNESS THROUGH OUT THE LAND

⁴⁵  From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.
⁴⁶  And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
⁴⁷  Some of the bystanders who heard it said, “This one is calling for Elijah.”
⁴⁸  Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink.
⁴⁹  But the rest said, “Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him.”
⁵⁰  But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.
Here all kneel and pause for a short time.
⁵¹  And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split,
⁵²  tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
⁵³  And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

THE CONFESSION OF THE CENTURION
⁵⁴  The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, “Truly, this was the Son of God!”
⁵⁵  There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him.
⁵⁶  Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

THE BURIAL 
⁵⁷  When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus.
⁵⁸  He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.
⁵⁹  Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen
⁶⁰  and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed.


⁶¹  But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb.



 ^{THE SEALING OF THE TOMB
62}  The next day, the one following the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate
⁶³  and said, “Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said, ‘After three days I will be raised up.’
⁶⁴  Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ This last imposture would be worse than the first.”
⁶⁵  Pilate said to them, “The guard is yours; go, secure it as best you can.”
⁶⁶  So they went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.