GOOD FRIDAYGood Friday, 19th April 2019Is. 52:13-53:12; Ps. 31(30):2,6,12-13,15-16,17,25; Heb. 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn. 18:1-19:42 (Psalter proper) God’s salvation project began with his Son taking the flesh of a human being born into a Jewish family, a family belonging to those called in the Old Testament “the Poor of Yahweh” — unconditionally faithful to God in…
HOLY THURSDAYHoly Thursday, 18th April 2019Ex. 12:1-8,11-14; Ps. 116(115):12-13,15-16,17-18; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Jn. 13:1-15 (Ps Wk II) The Passover was always a time to celebrate liberation and freedom. After the first Passover, they were led by Moses out of Egypt. The Israelites were commanded to sacrifice a lamb — but only the best. They were…
Wednesday of Holy WeekWednesday of Holy Week, 17th April 2019Is. 50:4-9; Ps. 69(68):8-10,21-22,31,33-34; Mt. 26:14-25 (Ps Wk II) Today we hear Isaiah describe a man who is attacked unjustly. This suffering servant does not defend himself. Yet, his silence is not a weakness. Rather, he chooses to depend totally on God. He trusts that God,…
Tuesday of Holy WeekTuesday of Holy Week, 16th April 2019Is. 49:1-6; Ps. 71(70):1-2,3-4,5-6,15,17; Jn. 13:21-33,36-38 (Ps Wk II) Today we are with Jesus, in his last moments with his disciples, the men he had carefully chosen as his friends, to journey with him, learn from him. He is troubled! This is His last meal before…
Monday of Holy WeekMonday of Holy Week, 15th April 2019Is. 42:1-7; Ps. 27(26):1,2,3,13-14; Jn. 12:1-11 (Ps Wk II) God promised great things to the people of Israel who were in exile. His servant would establish justice, as well as a covenant with the people. They were to become the light to the nations. Many centuries…
PALM SUNDAY (C)Palm Sunday, 14th April 2019Is. 50:4-7; Ps. 22(21):8-9,17-18,19-20,23-24; Phil. 2:6-11; Lk. 22:14-23:56 (Ps Wk II) Why did Jesus not resist? He certainly had the power to escape his suffering, and in the Garden of Gethsemane scene it was clear that he did not want to die. But he wanted to follow the will…
5th Week of LentSaturday, 13th April 2019Ez. 37:21-28; (R. Ps.) Jer. 31:10,11-12,13; Jn. 11:45-56 (Ps Wk I) The key idea that flows like a golden thread in today's readings and psalm is that “God is re-gathering His scattered people”. In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel speaks about the reunion of North Israel and Judah.…
5th Week of LentFriday, 12th April 2019Jer. 20:10-13; Ps.18(17):2-4,5-6,7; Jn. 10:31-42 (Ps Wk I) Today we hear painful words from the prophet Jeremiah. When he speaks the message that the Lord wants him to deliver, the people disrespect, denounce and scheme against him. The people do not believe Jeremiah, that Babylon will attack Judah and…
5th Week of LentThursday, 11th April 2019Gen. 17:3-9; Ps. 105(104):4-5,6-7,8-9; Jn. 8:51-59 (Ps Wk I) God’s covenant with Abraham was a covenant of faith and trust. Abraham was asked by God to give up everything — homeland, people, security, and identity — and strike out into the unknown. In exchange for that trust, God would…
5th Week of LentWednesday, 10th April 2019Dan. 3:14-20,91-92,95; (R. Ps.) Dan. 3:52,53,54,55,56; Jn. 8:31-42 (Ps Wk I) “Happy are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance”. These words of the Alleluia verse before the Gospel, are of course from Jesus’ explanation of his parable of the…