Saints and the Liturgical Year

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March 12, 2016 - Saturday, 4th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“May the working of your mercy, O Lord, we pray
direct our hearts aright,
for without your grace
we cannot find favor in your sight.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 4) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week4.asp

Read about St. Luigi Orione:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-12
 
March 13, 2016 - Fifth Sunday of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God,
may we walk eagerly in that same charity
with which, out of love for the world,
your Son handed himself over to death.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-13

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp
 
March 14, 2016 - Monday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, by whose wondrous grace
we are enriched with every blessing,
grant us so to pass from former ways to newness of life,
that we may be made ready for the glory of the heavenly Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflection:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp

For information on the value of fasting and St. Matilda, click link:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-03-14
 
grateful_child said:
March 13, 2016 - Fifth Sunday of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“By your help, we beseech you, Lord our God,
may we walk eagerly in that same charity
with which, out of love for the world,
your Son handed himself over to death.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-13

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp
Click to expand...
LECTIO DIVINA - FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/upload/2016-lectio-divina-for-the-fifth-sunday-of-lent.pdf
 
March 15, 2016 - Tuesday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant us, we pray, O Lord,
perseverance in obeying your will,
that in our days the people dedicated to your service
may grow in both merit and number.
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture Readings & reflection:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp

Read about St. Louise de Marillac and St. Longinus:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-15
 
March 16, 2016 - Wednesday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Enlighten, O God of compassion,
the hearts of your children, sanctified by penance,
and in your kindness
grant those you stir to a sense of devotion
a gracious hearing when they cry out to you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture Readings & reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp

For information on St. Heribert and St. Abraham and St.Mary:
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-16
 
March 17, 2016 - Thursday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Be near, O Lord, to those who plead before you,
and look kindly on those who place their hope in your mercy,
that, cleansed from the stain of their sins,
they may persevere in holy living
and be made full heirs of your promise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp

March 17 - Saint Patrick, Bishop (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who chose the Bishop Saint Patrick
to preach your glory to the peoples of Ireland,
grant, through his merits and intercession,
that those who glory in the name of Christian
may never cease to proclaim your wondrous deeds to all.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

“St. Patrick (389-461) was sent by Pope St. Celestine I to preach the Faith in Ireland. After thirty years, St. Patrick had converted the whole island.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Patrick, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpatrick.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-17
 
March 18, 2016 - Friday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Pardon the offenses of your peoples, we pray, O Lord,
and in your goodness set us free
from the bonds of the sins
we have committed in our weakness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp

March 18 - Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who through the Bishop Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
led your Church in a wonderful way
to a deeper sense of the mysteries of salvation,
grant us, through his intercession,
that we may so acknowledge your Son
as to have life ever more abundantly.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

“St. Cyril (315-386) is known mainly for his lectures to catechumens and the newly baptized. His extant instructions show conclusively the Catholic doctrines are the same now as it was then. Arian heretics exiled him three times.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Cyril and Our Lady of Mercy, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/C/stcyrilofjerusalem.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-18
 
March 19 - Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Solemnity):

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that by Saint Joseph’s intercession
your Church may constantly watch over
the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation,
whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php

“St. Joseph is considered the second greatest saint - second only to the Blessed Virgin Mary - because of his humility and closeness to Christ as his foster father. Scripture reveals St. Joseph was just, pure, gentle, prudent, and unfailingly obedient to the divine will. The only meaning of life is to be faithful to the Lord until the last day, as was St. Joseph. Pope Bl. Pius IX named him Patron of the Universal Church, and Pope Bl. John XXIII included his name in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

For more on St. Joseph, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjoseph.asp
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-19​

Ordinarily, today would be Saturday of the 5th Week of Lent.
March 19, 2016 - Saturday, 5th Week of Lent:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who have made all those reborn in Christ
a chosen race and a royal priesthood,
grant us, we pray, the grace to will and to do what you command,
that the people called to eternal life
may be one in the faith of their hearts
and the homage of their deeds.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Resources for Lent (Week 5) from EWTN:
ewtn.com/faith/lent/week5.asp
 
HOLY WEEK:

"In Holy Week, the Church celebrates the mysteries of salvation accomplished by Christ in the last days of his earthly life, from his messianic entry into Jerusalem, until his blessed Passion and glorious Resurrection. Lent continues until Maundy Thursday.

With the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday of Holy Week begins the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which includes Friday of the Passion of the Lord and Holy Saturday, centers on the Easter Vigil, and concludes with vespers on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord.

The weekdays of this week are dedicated to the celebration of penance, abstaining from celebration of the sacraments of baptism (except in emergency) and confirmation, since these have their natural place in the Easter Vigil." (Ordo)
 
March 20, 2016 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord:

Collect (Opening Prayer of Simple Entrance):

“Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering
and so merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-20

“On this day the Church recalls the entrance of Christ the Lord into Jerusalem to accomplish his Paschal Mystery. Accordingly, the memorial of this entrance of the Lord takes place at all Masses, by means of the Procession or the Solemn entrance before the principal Mass or the Simple Entrance before other Masses.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
grateful_child said:
March 20, 2016 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord:

Collect (Opening Prayer of Simple Entrance):

“Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering
and so merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-20

“On this day the Church recalls the entrance of Christ the Lord into Jerusalem to accomplish his Paschal Mystery. Accordingly, the memorial of this entrance of the Lord takes place at all Masses, by means of the Procession or the Solemn entrance before the principal Mass or the Simple Entrance before other Masses.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
Click to expand...
LECTIO DIVINA FOR HOLY WEEK FROM USCCB:
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/upload/2016-lectio-divina-for-holy-week.pdf
 
March 21, 2016 - Monday of Holy Week:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, though in our weakness we fail,
we may be revived through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-21

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
March 22, 2016 - Tuesday of Holy Week:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“Almighty ever-living God,
grant us so to celebrate
the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion
that we may merit to receive your pardon.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-22

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
March 23, 2016 - Wednesday of Holy Week:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who willed your Son to submit for our sake
to the yoke of the Cross,
so that you might drive from us the power of the enemy,
grant us, your servants, to attain the grace of the resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-23

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
grateful_child said:
March 20, 2016 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord:

Collect (Opening Prayer of Simple Entrance):

“Almighty ever-living God,
who as an example of humility for the human race to follow
caused our Savior to take flesh and submit to the Cross,
graciously grant that we may heed his lesson of patient suffering
and so merit a share in his Resurrection.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-20

“On this day the Church recalls the entrance of Christ the Lord into Jerusalem to accomplish his Paschal Mystery. Accordingly, the memorial of this entrance of the Lord takes place at all Masses, by means of the Procession or the Solemn entrance before the principal Mass or the Simple Entrance before other Masses.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
Click to expand...
9 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PALM / PASSION SUNDAY, by Jimmy Akin, NCRegister, 03-17-2016:
ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/palm-passion-sunday-9-things-to-know-and-share/
 
March 24, 2016 - Thursday of Holy Week (Holy Thursday):
Today, we have the Chrism Mass in the morning and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the evening.

The Chrism Mass:

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who anointed your Only Begotten Son with the Holy Spirit
and made him Christ and Lord,
graciously grant
that, being made sharers in his consecration,
we may bear witness to your Redemption in the world.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

"1. The Chrism Mass is one of the principal expressions of the fullness of the Bishop’s priesthood and signifies the close unity of the priests with him. During this Mass, which he celebrates with priests of the diocese, the Bishop consecrates the Chrism and blesses the other oils.
  1. This Mass takes place on Thursday morning. The concelebrants may also (con)celebrate the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper…
  2. Those receiving communion at the Chrism Mass may receive again in the evening, at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper …
  3. The Easter Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, ending with the conclusion of Vespers on Easter Sunday…" (Excerpt from Ordo.)
The Sacred Paschal Triduum begins this evening with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper:

“This Mass is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the Eucharist, that is of the memorial of the Lord’s Passover, by which under sacramental signs he perpetuated among us the sacrifice of the New Law.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who have called us to participate
in this most sacred Supper,
in which your Only Begotten Son,
when about to hand himself over to death,
entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity,
the banquet of his love,
grant, we pray,
that we may draw from so great a mystery,
the fullness of charity and of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-24

The Sacred Paschal Triduum:
“CHRIST REDEEMED US ALL and gave perfect glory to God principally through His paschal mystery: dying He destroyed our death and rising He restored our life. Therefore, the Easter Triduum of the passion, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year. Thus the solemnity of Easter has the same kind of preeminence in the liturgical year that Sunday has in the week. The Easter Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with the evening prayer on Easter Sunday.” (General Norms, 18 - 19.)

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
“On this day, when ‘Christ our paschal lamb was sacrificed’ (1Cor 5:7), what had long been promised in signs and figures was at last revealed and brought to fulfillment. The true lamb replaced the symbolic lamb, and the many offerings of the past gave way to the single sacrifice of Christ.” (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
March 25, 2016 - Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday):

Excerpts from the ORDO:
  1. “Today, Friday of the Passion of the Lord and, if possible, also on Holy Saturday until the Easter Vigil, the sacred Paschal Fast and abstinence are observed everywhere to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, to prepare ourselves to renew our baptismal promises, and to share more deeply in his Resurrection.”
  2. “The celebration of the Passion of the Lord takes place on the afternoon of this day, about three o’clock (unless a later hour is chosen for a pastoral reason). The celebration of the Lord’s Passion consists of three parts, namely, the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion…”
  3. “The narrative of the Lord’s Passion is read in the same way as on the preceding Sunday.”
  4. “Only one cross should be used for the Veneration of the Holy Cross, as this contributes to the full symbolism of the rite. The cross is with the image of the crucified Christ.”
  5. “After the celebration, the altar is stripped, but the Cross remains on the altar with two or four candlesticks. The faithful may continue to venerate the Holy Cross and spend some time in adoration.”
Prayer:
“Remember your mercies, O Lord,
and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants,
for whom Christ your Son,
by the shedding of his Blood,
established the Paschal Mystery.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-25

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
 
grateful_child said:
March 25, 2016 - Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday):

Excerpts from the ORDO:
  1. “Today, Friday of the Passion of the Lord and, if possible, also on Holy Saturday until the Easter Vigil, the sacred Paschal Fast and abstinence are observed everywhere to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, to prepare ourselves to renew our baptismal promises, and to share more deeply in his Resurrection.”
  2. “The celebration of the Passion of the Lord takes place on the afternoon of this day, about three o’clock (unless a later hour is chosen for a pastoral reason). The celebration of the Lord’s Passion consists of three parts, namely, the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion…”
  3. “The narrative of the Lord’s Passion is read in the same way as on the preceding Sunday.”
  4. “Only one cross should be used for the Veneration of the Holy Cross, as this contributes to the full symbolism of the rite. The cross is with the image of the crucified Christ.”
  5. “After the celebration, the altar is stripped, but the Cross remains on the altar with two or four candlesticks. The faithful may continue to venerate the Holy Cross and spend some time in adoration.”
Prayer:
“Remember your mercies, O Lord,
and with your eternal protection sanctify your servants,
for whom Christ your Son,
by the shedding of his Blood,
established the Paschal Mystery.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.”

Today’s Scripture readings and reflections:
usccb.org/bible/reflections/
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-03-25

Resources for Lent from USCCB:
www.usccb.org/lent

Lenten Season 2016 from EWTN:
www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/holy-week-and-easter.asp
Click to expand...
**For the DIVINE MERCY NOVENA and INDULGENCE, ** please see quote below:
Amiciel said:
For those who have a devotion to the Divine Mercy, the Novena to the Divine Mercy starts today, Good Friday, in preparation for the Divine Mercy Sunday on [April 3, 2016]. The Novena may be found in St. Faustina’s diary, 'Divine Mercy in My Soul’, # 1209 - 1229.

The Novena is also available from this link:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/novena.htm

For the Divine Mercy Sunday Indulgence, please see link:
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/indulgence.htm
Click to expand...
 
“Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” We know that physically, we were not … Isa 53:3-6, however, pointedly tells us we were all there – represented by our sins and iniquities!

Describing the “Man of Sorrows”, Isaiah writes:

“3. He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief …
4. Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5. But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with his stripes we are healed.”
6. All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned every one to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” (isa 53:3-6)

In his narrative of the Lord’s Passion, Luke describes Jesus as the actual ‘Man of Sorrows’ in Isaiah. He also presents various characters as they related to Jesus during His Passion. During this Holy Week, it might do us good to reflect and see who of these Gospel characters mirror our own lives, at one time or other…

‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ No, we know we were not physically present there with Jesus when they crucified Him; but our whole life’s activities were!

Perhaps our choices today for material things and self-indulgence placed us there among the crowd who cried out: *Give us Barabbas! Away with Jesus! *

Or our prideful choices in life situate us among those who insulted and mocked Jesus, and mercilessly gave Him the lashes that caused His precious blood and strength to ooze steadily out of His sacred Body.

Or, today, are we like Judas whose unbridled greed for material things led him to betray a friend? And most probably, we have often been like Peter, so confident of ourselves but taken by surprise and fear, we did not have the courage to own publicly our affinity to Jesus? Then there’s Pilate who, fearing threat to his political career, allowed injustice to be done to an innocent man? Have we, perhaps, acted like Pilate towards our neighbor in order to protect our image?

Yes, what we do to others today, we did to Jesus then. For although Jesus physically lived His Passion on earth and died centuries ago, He assures us that He is still with us today… and the manner we treat our neighbor (and our own selves) gave him either pain or comfort during His Passion. For He assures us: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)
(Read on for continuation of thought.)
 
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