The Passion of Jesus [Palm Sunday - March 31, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [Palm Sunday - March 31, 2012]

Mark 14:1-15:47

1The 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. 2They said, “Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people.”

3When 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. 4There were some who were indignant. “Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? 5It could have been sold for more than three hundred days’ wages and the money given to the poor.” They were infuriated with her. 6Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. 7The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. 8She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. 9Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them.11When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

12On 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?” 13He 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. 14Wherever 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?”’15Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.”

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.

Reflection

Palm Sunday is the beginning of the Passion events we have just read. It is a day of mystery and deep reflection for us. We have all seen pictures and paintings of that first Palm Sunday as Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem. He doesn’t enter on a white charger (The Roman equivalent of a tank) but a young donkey to show that He is coming to do battle but not with military weapons.

In a demonstration that is not organized but truly spontaneous, the people wave palms to salute Him. Jesus, however, doesn’t enter by waving back to the people as dignitaries do. He has a solemnity and resolution about him that is profound.

What was on His mind?

He knows that many of these same people will shortly turn on Him. He knows what awaits him in Jerusalem. Yet, He knows also he is doing the Father’s will. So, with courage and confidence in God the Father He moves forward to Jerusalem.

We always have a Jerusalem ahead of us. For us it is not a city but it might be an illness, a change in our life, a problem, challenge or perhaps uncertainty ahead of us. Jesus shows us how to move toward our Jerusalem.

As with Jesus, many people who say they will be with us probably will not be. Yet, we must move forward, facing whatever lies ahead, knowing that Jesus has been there before. That is one message for us of Palm Sunday. We are not entering our Jerusalem alone. Jesus has been there.

As we begin this Holy Week that recalls the greatest events of our redemption, let us ask the Lord to give us the grace and the strength to face whatever is ahead of us. Jesus shows that the cross, whatever form it takes in our life (and in each life it is slightly different but is still a cross), can lead to salvation and new life.

Palm Sunday and the Passion teach us that whatever lies in our future, Jesus has been there first. He knows and shows the way that will lead to Easter for us.

Reflection Credits: Rev. S. Joseph Krempa

Source: The Meditation is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

"Hosanna"

[Diary 028]

March 21, 1937. Palm Sunday. During Mass, my soul was steeped in the bitterness and suffering of Jesus. Jesus gave me to understand how much He had suffered in that triumphal procession. "Hosanna" was reverberating in Jesus' heart as an echo of "Crucify." Jesus allowed me to feel this in a special way.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The Coming of Jesus’ Hour [March 25, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [March 25, 2012]

John 12:20-33

Now there were some Greeks* among those who had come up to worship at the feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. 25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. 27“I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. 31Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world* will be driven out. 32And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

Reflection

“Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” ~ Jesus in v. 24

Have you ever seen a seed germinate? While it is in the soil, the skin encasing it splits open. Next, the seed itself splits in two, and the stem and root unfurl. Gradually, the seed grows smaller as it nourishes the new plant. Eventually, the seed disappears altogether. If you were to look at the plant after a while, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell what the seed looked like.

What a wonderful image this is for the spiritual life! Like a patient farmer, God is always planting seeds in our hearts, waiting for them to “die” so that they can bear fruit. Each season has its own seeds that need to die – parts of us that need to break open so that new life can come forth. As children, we may be bearing the fruit of obedience and trust. As young married couples, we may be learning to pour our lives out as seasoned adults; our fruit may be that of more active involvement in our community or church.

Again, like a wise gardener, only God knows which seeds need to sprout for each season. It’s no use trying to double guess him. And there’s no need. After all, he knows what he is doing!

Try something different in your prayer today. Look back over your life, and try to identify times when a “seed” had to die so that God could bring something new into your life. Ask yourself” “Well, I survived, didn’t I? And I’m better off for having gone through it, aren’t I?”

Now, having reviewed your past, see if there’s something that God wants to do in your present. He is never finished with us! There’s always more that he wants to give us – if only we will let him bring life out of death!

Source: The Meditation is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

Deeds of Mercy

[Diary 1267]

September 6, 1937. Today, I begin a new assignment. I go from the garden to the desert of the gate. [210] I went in to talk to the Lord for a while. I asked Him for a blessing and for graces to faithfully carry out the duties entrusted to me. I heard these words: My daughter, I am always with you. I have given you the opportunity to practice deeds of mercy which you will perform according to obedience. You will give Me much pleasure if, each evening, you will speak to Me especially about this task. I felt that Jesus had given me a new grace in relation to my new duties; but, despite this, I have locked myself deeper in His Heart.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

Christ came to save us [March 18, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [March 18, 2012]

John 3:14-21

14And just as Moses lifted up* the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,15so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn  the world, but that the world might be saved through him. 18Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. 20For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. 21But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

Meditation

“God, who is rich in mercy.” ~ Ephesians 2:4, 2nd Reading

Heavenly Father, how great is your love! I am amazed at the depth of your mercy toward me. Your love is perfect and unchanging, and you never take your eyes off of me. You are all I need, for you sustain me with the bread of life and the cup of salvation. You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory!

From the very beginning, Father, your arms have always been open wide, ready to receive me whenever I return to you in repentance and humility. When I had turned away from you and my sin had separated me from you, you never forget me. You never forsook me. You loved me so much that you let your only Son bear my sin on the cross. I was dead, but you brought me to life. I was mired in guilt, but you washed me clean. You gave me a new heart and a new mind. I rejoice that I can freely come to you and hear your words of life. I rejoice that I can know you as my Father!

Jesus, you are seated in the heavens with all authority and power. You are exalted as Lord over heaven and earth, and all praise and glory belong to you. I celebrate the fact that you have reached out your hand to me inviting me to be seated in heaven with you. Yes, Lord! You have raised me up and given me authority over sin. You have given me power to resist the evil one. You have made me a coheir with you of all the riches and blessings of heaven. How can I help but praise you and love you.

Lord, you have done so much for me! When I was helpless and could do nothing on my own, you poured out grace so that I could believe in you and receive your help and power. You loved me first, so that I could turn and love you. How amazing you are!

“Jesus, I rejoice in your amazing grace. I glory in your unfailing mercy. It is such a privilege to belong to you.”

Credits: the WORD among us

Source: The Meditation is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

Apostle of My mercy, proclaim to the Whole world My unfathomable mercy

[Diary 1142]

June 4. Today is the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. During Holy Mass, I was given the knowledge of the Heart of Jesus and of the nature of the fire of love with which He burns for us and of how He is an Ocean of Mercy. Then I heard a voice: Apostle of My mercy, proclaim to the whole world My unfathomable mercy. Do not be discouraged by the difficulties you encounter in proclaiming My mercy. These difficulties that affect you so painfully are needed for your sanctification and as evidence that this work is Mine. My daughter, be diligent in writing down every sentence I tell you concerning My mercy, because this is meant for a great number of souls who will profit from it.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

Cleansing of the Temple [March 11, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [March 11, 2012]

John 2: 13-25

13Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.14He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money-changers seated there.15He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables,16and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” 17His disciples recalled the words of scripture, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” 19Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” 20The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?” 21But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. 23While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. 24But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, 25and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

Reflection

“He made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple area.” V. 15

Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus was angry. But just a little more than a week ago, we read how Jesus told us not to get angry. So, did Jesus commit a sin here? Did he lose his temper? Or is there a place for anger?

Maybe St. Paul can help here. “Be angry,” he wrote, “but do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). So there is a type of anger that isn’t sinful. In fact, there are times when anger is the only appropriate response. For instance, we have the right to be angry at sins like abortion, racism, sexual abuse, or child trafficking. But at the same time, And no matter how offensive these sins are, we are not justified in sinning ourselves. It comes down to our motivations. As St. Thomas Aquinas taught: “He who is not angry when there is a just cause for anger is immoral.”  Why? Because “anger looks to the good of Justice.”

So anger toward injustice is not sinful; it’s even appropriate! It simply needs to be controlled by reason and compassion. Expressions of anger are acceptable if they arise from a desire to restore justice and order – for instance if we are trying to reprove sin or set things right in our family. We just have to be careful not to let our anger overpower us or overshadow the call to love and forgive.

In Jesus’ case, his anger was in response to the unjust way the people were treating the temple. It was a controlled anger also, for immediately afterward, he continued his ministry of preaching and teaching with calmness, conviction, and clarity.

It’s okay to get angry – so long as we are vigilant and can keep our emotions in good control. So if you find yourself about to get angry, try your bet tom link your reaction to good reason, love, and humility. And once you have said your piece make sure to resolve the situation by restoring love and trust if at all possible.

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

A priest after My own Heart

[Diary 1256]

[August] 30. Reverend Father Sopocko left this morning. When I was steeped in a prayer of thanksgiving for the great grace that I had received from God; namely, that of seeing Father, I became united in a special way with the Lord who said to me, He is a priest after My own Heart; his efforts are pleasing to Me. You see, My daughter, that My will must be done and that which I had promised you, I shall do. Through him I spread comfort to suffering and careworn souls. Through him it pleased Me to proclaim the worship of My mercy. And through this work of mercy more souls will come close to Me than otherwise would have, even if he had kept giving absolution day and night for the rest of his life, because by so doing, he would have labored only for as long as he lived; whereas, thanks to this work of mercy, he will be laboring till the end of the world.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".

The Transfiguration of Jesus [March 4, 2012]

The Sunday Gospel [March 4, 2012]

Mark 9:2-10

2After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 7Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

9As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.10So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

Reflection

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” ~ God in v. 9

Each of us is required to make Abraham’s sacrifice, (First Reading). We all must face the inevitability of letting go our most beloved person, task, accomplishment, joy. Everything dear to us, everything given to us by God is subject to death: its own and ours.

The essence of the story is this: Is God good? And will God keep his promises? Abraham is our father in faith because he embodies the final act of faith that all of us must make. We all face the sacrifice. We all stand before the terrible relinquishment of everything we hold most dear.

And our very God does the same. “This is my beloved Son.” God’s “only begotten,” one of our own kind, will go through our passages – even the passage of death.

God has made the promise not only to Abraham and to us. God has made the promise to God’s very self.

Is it possible that God, who did not spare his only Son but handed him over for the sake of us all, will not grant us all things besides?

Reflection Credits: Fr. John F. Kavanaugh, The Word Encountered, excerpts

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarroabel.blogspot.com/).

I have need of your sufferings to rescue souls

[Diary 1612]

+ February 20, [1938]. Today the Lord said to me, I have need of your sufferings to rescue souls.
O my Jesus, do with me as You please. I did not have the courage to ask the Lord Jesus for greater sufferings, because I had suffered so much the night before that I would not have been able to bear a drop more than what Jesus Himself gave me.

Source: DIARY, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.  Stockbridge, MA 01263.  All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Note: If you like my post then consider buying the Book "Divine Mercy in my Soul" from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception website. The owner of this blog have no other intention but to spread and proclaim the "Divine Mercy".