Mass Reflection: Sunday, 1st May 2022

 

Our readings on this Third Sunday of Easter continue with lessons of hope for abundant new life in the Risen Lord. In fact, when we look at the Gospel Reading from John and compare it to the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we get a glimpse of the “before Easter Disciples” and the “after Easter Disciples” that offer inspiration for positive change in all of us.
 
In the Gospel, we find the Apostles dejected and discouraged following the death of our Lord. Poor Peter decides to throw in the towel on the whole disciple thing and go back to his old way of life, declaring, “I’m going fishing.” Upon hearing this, the other disciples follow him.
 
How easy it is for all of us to backslide on changes we have made in our lives, especially when it comes to our spiritual lives. We make a positive resolution — for instance to develop more patience or more discipline in our prayer lives — only to find our temper flaring in traffic or our hand hitting the snooze button instead of getting out of bed to pray. It makes us just want to forget it, to stop trying and go back to our old ways. Those very feelings of discouragement and lost hope make it even harder to try yet again.
 
But look how Jesus treats the disciples during their “backslide.” He is right there with them in the midst of it, already waiting for them on the shore when they come back from their unsuccessful return to the fishing business (after abandoning their mission as disciples). Our Lord greets them with such tenderness, gently asking, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” Then he gives them some fishing pointers which lead to such a miraculous catch of fish that they finally recognize Him as the risen Lord. Wanting them to be at ease with Him, Jesus then feeds them breakfast. How gracious He is to them!
 
He is just as gracious today. When we find ourselves “out at sea” — discouraged by our failures or for squandering the gifts God has given us, or simply by a lack of progress in our faith life, Jesus is with us! He is calling to us from the shore to come back to Him without shame or embarrassment, but with hope-filled trust in His steadfast love. He never tires of offering “do-overs” if we just keep returning to Him.
 
This constant process of turning back to the Lord is the essence of a stewardship way of life. Good stewards are not necessarily those who have mastered some perfect formula for the giving of time, talent, and treasure. They are those who continue to get back up after each fall, who are willing to continually reevaluate their goals and priorities as they aim for Heaven. Good stewards simply have more confidence in the goodness of the Lord than fear of their own failure. 
 
And little by little, good stewards find themselves becoming like the “after Easter Disciples”, we find in today’s first reading, who were proud to be called before the Sandhedrin for “filling Jerusalem” with the Good News of Jesus. 
 
Let’s allow ourselves to be renewed with Easter hope on our stewardship journey, secure in the knowledge that Jesus is walking alongside us each step of the way.

Mass Reading: Sunday, 1st May 2022

First reading
Acts 5:27-32,40-41
We are witnesses to all this: we and the Holy Spirit

The high priest demanded an explanation of the Apostles. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ They warned the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 29(30):2,4-6,11-13

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me
    and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead,
    restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him,
    give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.
    At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

The Lord listened and had pity.
    The Lord came to my help.
For me you have changed my mourning into dancing:
    O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

________

Second reading
Apocalypse 5:11-14
The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given riches and power

In my vision, I, John, heard the sound of an immense number of angels gathered round the throne and the animals and the elders; there were ten thousand times ten thousand of them and thousands upon thousands, shouting, ‘The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing.’ Then I heard all the living things in creation – everything that lives in the air, and on the ground, and under the ground, and in the sea, crying, ‘To the One who is sitting on the throne and to the Lamb, be all praise, honour, glory and power, for ever and ever.’ And the four animals said, ‘Amen’; and the elders prostrated themselves to worship.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
cf.Lk24:32

Alleluia, alleluia!

Lord Jesus, explain the Scriptures to us.
Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.

Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia!

Christ has risen: he who created all things,
and has granted his mercy to men.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
John 21:1-19
Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.

    It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.

    As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

    After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

‘I tell you most solemnly,

when you were young

you put on your own belt

and walked where you liked;

but when you grow old

you will stretch out your hands,

and somebody else will put a belt round you

and take you where you would rather not go.’

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

RCIA INTAKE

 

Mass Reading: Sunday - 24th April 2022

First reading
Acts 5:12-16

The numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily

The faithful all used to meet by common consent in the Portico of Solomon. No one else ever dared to join them, but the people were loud in their praise and the numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily. So many signs and wonders were worked among the people at the hands of the apostles that the sick were even taken out into the streets and laid on beds and sleeping-mats in the hope that at least the shadow of Peter might fall across some of them as he went past. People even came crowding in from the towns round about Jerusalem, bringing with them their sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and all of them were cured.

The word of the Lord.

_______

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 117(118):2-4,22-27

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

Let the sons of Israel say:
    ‘His love has no end.’
Let the sons of Aaron say:
    ‘His love has no end.’
Let those who fear the Lord say:
    ‘His love has no end.’

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

The stone which the builders rejected
    has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
    a marvel in our eyes.
This day was made by the Lord;
    we rejoice and are glad.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

O Lord, grant us salvation;
    O Lord, grant success.
Blessed in the name of the Lord
    is he who comes.
We bless you from the house of the Lord;
    the Lord God is our light.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.

________

Second reading
Apocalypse 1:9-13,17-19
I was dead, and now I am to live for ever and ever

My name is John, and through our union in Jesus I am your brother and share your sufferings, your kingdom, and all you endure. I was on the island of Patmos for having preached God’s word and witnessed for Jesus; it was the Lord’s day and the Spirit possessed me, and I heard a voice behind me, shouting like a trumpet, ‘Write down all that you see in a book.’ I turned round to see who had spoken to me, and when I turned I saw seven golden lamp-stands and, surrounded by them, a figure like a Son of man, dressed in a long robe tied at the waist with a golden girdle.

    When I saw him, I fell in a dead faint at his feet, but he touched me with his right hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid; it is I, the First and the Last; I am the Living One, I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and of the underworld. Now write down all that you see of present happenings and things that are still to come.’

The word of the Lord.

________

Sequence
Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
    offer sacrifice and praise.
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;
and Christ, the undefiled,
hath sinners to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended:
    combat strangely ended!

Life’s own Champion, slain,
    yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary: 
    say what thou didst see 
    upon the way..

The tomb the Living did enclose;
I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!

The angels there attesting;
shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:
he goes before you into Galilee.

That Christ is truly risen
    from the dead we know.
Victorious king, thy mercy show!

________

Gospel Acclamation
Jn20:29

Alleluia, alleluia!

Jesus said: ‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
John 20:19-31
Eight days later, Jesus came again and stood among them

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.

‘As the Father sent me,

so am I sending you.’

After saying this he breathed on them and said:

‘Receive the Holy Spirit.

For those whose sins you forgive,

they are forgiven;

for those whose sins you retain,

they are retained.’

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:

‘You believe because you can see me.

Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’

There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 24th April 2022

 

Today is the Second Sunday of Easter; more recently in our Church’s history, it has become known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Our Gospel reading from St. John is often referred to as the story of “Doubting Thomas” but the passage involves so much more than the encounter with the skeptical apostle. It is rich with lessons of Christ’s mercy to all, including an encouraging word from our Lord, especially for us, His modern-day disciples.

While Thomas traditionally takes all the bad rap for his doubts, we see that none of the Apostles were at their best when Christ first appears to them after His resurrection. The passage says that they were in hiding, cowering behind a locked door because they were afraid of what the Jews might do to them for their association with Jesus. They were paralyzed by fear and doubt. 

But Jesus appeared right in their midst in spite of the lock on the door. Was it to rebuke them for their lack of faith? To chide them for abandoning Him when He needed them most? To call them out for being so wimpy? Quite the contrary. 

He comes on a mission of mercy. He comes to offer them peace and the restoration of their relationship with Him. And even more, He commissions them to become ministers of His mercy, by giving them the authority to forgive sins. “Peace be with you,” He says. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you…. Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” At that moment Christ gives to all of us the supreme gift of mercy — the sacrament of Reconciliation. What a precious and powerful gift is this divine mercy.

This Sunday of mercy in this Easter season of mercy is a perfect time to reflect on how well we make use of the gift of Reconciliation. Do we really appreciate the healing power of this sacrament? The infusion of grace, the freeing power of knowing we are forgiven, the increase in self-knowledge, and intimacy with our Lord? Could we become better stewards of this gift by going to Confession more often and by encouraging our loved ones to do so as well?

Today is also an opportune time to examine how generously we offer the gift of mercy to those around us. When Thomas obstinately declared he would not believe in the risen Christ unless he could see for himself the mark of the nails in His hands and put his fingers into the nail marks and put his hands into His sides, our Lord does not become indignant. He offers mercy. Jesus graciously gives Thomas the very thing Thomas is asking for — a real and personal encounter with Him, the chance to literally touch His sacred wounds to heal Thomas from his doubts. When we are disbelieved or disrespected, do we respond as Jesus did, with humility and magnanimity and compassion, the very hallmarks of mercy?

Interestingly, we will find that the more deeply we embrace the gift of mercy through regular Confession, the greater will be our capacity to offer mercy to others because we will see ourselves as really truly are — forgiven sinners deeply loved by God. Let’s commit ourselves to become faithful disciples, stewards of Christ’s mercy 2,000 years after His Resurrection. We will be those very ones to whom Jesus gave a “shout out” during His encounter with Thomas: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed” — in His merciful love.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 17th April 2022

 He is risen! He is truly risen! This is what the celebration of Easter is all about — the truth that Jesus was crucified for our sins and three days later rose from the dead, conquering death once and for all. We proclaim this truth every Sunday in the Nicene Creed: “For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, He suffered death and was buried and rose again on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures.” Amazing. 

We know it’s true, but this Easter Sunday, let’s ask ourselves if we live as if it’s true. Do we simply recite this portion of our Creed week after week or do we live as witnesses to this glorious reality?

A witness, of course, is one with first-hand knowledge. Our readings today focus not only on the Resurrection itself, but also on those who were witnesses to it and to the life and work of Jesus throughout His public ministry. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter proclaims, “We are witnesses of all that He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.” 

In the Gospel, St.John describes the first three witnesses to the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene, John (“the disciple whom Jesus loved”), and Peter. Mary Magdalene arrived first at the tomb where our Lord’s Body had been laid. She saw that the stone once covering it had been removed. She ran to Peter and John to tell them what she had seen and they, in turn, ran to the tomb to see for themselves. Each of these three had an individual “experience” of the empty tomb. Each went up close to it to try to take it all in, to marvel at what Jesus’ love and had accomplished.

As a result, each one became a witness to the truth of the Resurrection. And they spent the rest of their lives bearing witness to its saving power. In fact, the truth of the Resurrection has been passed on for 2,000 plus years now by those willing to serve as witnesses to its power in their lives. Now it is our turn, privilege, and responsibility to serve as Christ’s witnesses.

How are we, as Christian stewards, to do so all these years later if a witness is one with first-hand knowledge? We may have to look a little more closely to see for ourselves than those first three witnesses, but we can have just as real an experience of the empty tomb and the redeeming power of the Resurrection.

We “see for ourselves” when we prayerfully read the Scriptures knowing they are a living love letter from God with a message to each one of us. We “see for ourselves” each time we receive the precious Body and Blood of our Lord in the Eucharist. We “see for ourselves” when we experience His personal and healing power in our hearts during Reconciliation. We “see for ourselves” when we pour out our lives in loving service to those around us and experience the deep satisfaction that only comes when we are imitating our Savior.

This Easter, don’t just recite the Creed. Resolve to live as if it’s true. Experience Jesus for yourself every day from now on. You will be a powerful witness to the truth that He is risen! He is truly risen!

Mass Reading: Sunday - 17th April 2022

First reading
Acts 10:34,37-43
'We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection'

Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterwards God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses – we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead – and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone, alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 117(118):1-2,16-17,22-23

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
    for his love has no end.
Let the sons of Israel say:
    ‘His love has no end.’

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

The Lord’s right hand has triumphed;
    his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live
    and recount his deeds.

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

The stone which the builders rejected
    has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
    a marvel in our eyes.

This day was made by the Lord: we rejoice and are glad.

________

Second reading
Colossians 3:1-4
Look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is

Since you have been brought back to true life with Christ, you must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed – and he is your life – you too will be revealed in all your glory with him.

The word of the Lord.

________

Sequence
Victimae Paschali Laudes

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
    offer sacrifice and praise.
The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;
and Christ, the undefiled,
hath sinners to his Father reconciled.

Death with life contended:
    combat strangely ended!

Life’s own Champion, slain,
    yet lives to reign.

Tell us, Mary: 
    say what thou didst see 
    upon the way.

The tomb the Living did enclose;
I saw Christ’s glory as he rose!

The angels there attesting;
shroud with grave-clothes resting.

Christ, my hope, has risen:
he goes before you into Galilee.

That Christ is truly risen
    from the dead we know.
Victorious king, thy mercy show!

________

Gospel Acclamation
1Cor5:7-8

Alleluia, alleluia!

Christ, our passover, has been sacrificed:
let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
John 20:1-9
He must rise from the dead

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’

    So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 10th April 2022

 

We now enter a week in our liturgical year that is like no other — Holy Week. The complete name for this Sunday’s liturgy is “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” Let us do our best to live this week closely connected to our Lord whose passionate love for us knows no bounds — culminating in His death on the cross and His triumph over death — all for us.
 
Two very different responses to our Lord’s passion are highlighted during the Gospel reading from Luke today: the response of Simon of Cyrene and the response of Jesus’ acquaintances. Of Simon we are told, “They took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus.” Whether Simon entered willingly and compassionately into this service or whether he took up the Cross of Christ with a grudge, we don’t know. What we do know is this:  Simon did his part faithfully. He stayed near to Christ, carrying the Cross until our Lord reached Golgotha, the site of His crucifixion. We also know that Simon’s family were among the first of the early Christians. Staying near to Christ, embracing the Cross (quite literally), transformed his life and the life of his family.
 
In contrast, near the end of this Gospel account we are told of another reaction to Jesus’ passion and death, namely that “all His acquaintances stood at a distance.” They knew Jesus! They had heard him preaching and teaching, witnessed His signs and miracles, maybe even benefitted personally from them. Perhaps they did not participate in mocking Him or calling for His crucifixion. But they chose to stay a safe distance from Him when the going got tough. Unlike Simon, they refused to go too near to Christ.
 
Where will you place yourself this week? Keeping your distance from all the pain and suffering Christ endured? Or close by, staying near to Him like Simon did? It is when we go near to Christ that we can be transformed by Him. It is by embracing the crosses in our lives, stewarding them well rather than trying to run from them, that we become His true disciples.
 
Still unconvinced? Let the words of this Sunday’s Gospel this week speak to you personally:
 
“The chief priests and scribes…stood by accusing him harshly” and He did not defend Himself, for love of me.
 
“Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him” and He stayed quiet, for love of me.
 
The crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us” and He let Himself be led away, for love of me.
 
“With loud shouts they persisted in calling for his crucifixion” and He did not object, for love of me.
 
“Even the soldiers jeered at Him” and He endured it patiently, for love of me.
 
“They crucified Him and the criminals there” and He died, for love of me.
 
Stay near to Christ this Holy Week — attend the Triduum services of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, pray the Stations of the Cross, increase your fasting just a bit — and allow yourself to be transformed by His passionate love, so that this week indeed becomes a week like no other.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 10th April 2022

First reading
Isaiah 50:4-7
I did not cover my face against insult: I know I shall not be shamed

The Lord has given me
a disciple’s tongue.
So that I may know how to reply to the wearied
he provides me with speech.
Each morning he wakes me to hear,
to listen like a disciple.
The Lord has opened my ear.

For my part, I made no resistance,
neither did I turn away.
I offered my back to those who struck me,
my cheeks to those who tore at my beard;
I did not cover my face
against insult and spittle.

The Lord comes to my help,
so that I am untouched by the insults.
So, too, I set my face like flint;
I know I shall not be shamed.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 21(22):8-9,17-20,23-24

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

All who see me deride me.
    They curl their lips, they toss their heads.
‘He trusted in the Lord, let him save him;
    let him release him if this is his friend.’

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Many dogs have surrounded me,
    a band of the wicked beset me.
They tear holes in my hands and my feet
    I can count every one of my bones.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

They divide my clothing among them.
    They cast lots for my robe.
O Lord, do not leave me alone,
    my strength, make haste to help me!

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

I will tell of your name to my brethren
    and praise you where they are assembled.
‘You who fear the Lord give him praise;
    all sons of Jacob, give him glory.
    Revere him, Israel’s sons.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

________

Second reading
Philippians 2:6-11
Christ humbled himself but God raised him high

His state was divine,
yet Christ Jesus did not cling
to his equality with God
but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave
and became as men are;
and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings
in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
Phil2:8-9

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

Christ was humbler yet,
even to accepting death, death on a cross.
But God raised him high
and gave him the name which is above all names.

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

________

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

Luke 22:14-23:56
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke

Key: N. Narrator. ✠ Jesus. O. Other single speaker. C. Crowd, or more than one speaker.

    N. When the hour came, Jesus took his place at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them,

    ✠ I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer; because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

    N. Then, taking a cup, he gave thanks and said,

    ✠ Take this and share it among you, because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes.

    N. Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying,

    ✠ This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me.

    N. He did the same with the cup after supper, and said,

    ✠ This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you.

    And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me. The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!

    N. And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing.

    A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest, but he said to them,

    ✠ Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor. This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves. For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!

    You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials; and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me: you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

    Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.

    N. He answered,

    O. Lord, I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.

    N. Jesus replied,

    ✠ I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me.

    N. He said to them,

    ✠ When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything?

    N. They answered,

    C. No.

    N. He said to them,

    ✠ But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do the same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one, because I tell you these words of scripture have to be fulfilled in me: He let himself be taken for a criminal. Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment.

    N. They said,

    C. Lord, there are two swords here now.

    N. He said to them,

    ✠ That is enough!

    N. He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. When they reached the place he said to them,

    ✠ Pray not to be put to the test.

    N. Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed, saying,

    ✠ Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.

    N. Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

    When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. He said to them,

    ✠ Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.

    N. He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said,

    ✠ Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?

    N. His followers, seeing what was happening, said,

    C. Lord, shall we use our swords?

    N. And one of them struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. But at this Jesus spoke:

    ✠ Leave off! That will do!

    N. And touching the man’s ear he healed him.

    Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him. He said,

    ✠ Am I a brigand, that you had to set out with swords and clubs? When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.

    N. They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them, and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said,

    O. This person was with him too.

    N. But he denied it.

    O. Woman, I do not know him.

    N. Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said,

    O. You are another of them.

    N. But Peter replied,

    O. I am not, my friend.

    N. About an hour later another man insisted, saying,

    O. This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean.

    N. Peter said,

    O. My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.

    N. At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew, and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.

    Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying,

    C. Play the prophet. Who hit you then?

    N. And they continued heaping insults on him.

    When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council, and they said to him,

    C. If you are the Christ, tell us.

    N. He replied,

    ✠ If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.

    N. Then they all said,

    C. So you are the Son of God then?

    N. He answered:

    ✠ It is you who say I am.

    N. They said,

    C. What need of witnesses have we now? We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips.

    N. The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.

    They began their accusation by saying,

    C. We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.

    N. Pilate put to him this question:

    O. Are you the king of the Jews?

    N. He replied,

    ✠ It is you who say it.

    N. Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd,

    O. I find no case against this man.

    N. But they persisted,

    C. He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here.

    N. When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

    Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him. So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply. Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations. Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak on him and sent him back to Pilate. And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.

    Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people. He said,

    O. You brought this man before me as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him. Nor has Herod either, since he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death, So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.

    N. But as one man they howled,

    C. Away with him! Give us Barabbas! 

    N. (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)

    Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again, but they shouted back,

    C. Crucify him! Crucify him!

    N. And for the third time he spoke to them,

    O. Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go.

    N. But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.

    Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted. He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.

    As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too, who mourned and lamented for him. But Jesus turned to them and said,

    ✠ Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children. For the days will surely come when people will say, ‘Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’; to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?

    N. Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.

    When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left. Jesus said,

    ✠ Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing.

    N. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.

    The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him, saying,

    C. He saved others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.

    N. The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said,

    C. If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.

    N. Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

    One of the criminals hanging there abused him, saying,

    O. Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well.

    N. But the other spoke up and rebuked him:

    O. Have you no fear of God at all? You got the same sentence as he did, but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

    N. He replied,

    ✠ Indeed, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.

    N. It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said,

    ✠ Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

    N. With these words he breathed his last.

    All kneel and pause a moment

    When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said,

    O. This was a great and good man.

    N. And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

    All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

    Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph. He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent.

    Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body.

    Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 03rd April 2022

The Liturgy of the Word

First reading
Isaiah 43:16-21
See, I am doing a new deed, and I will give my chosen people drink

Thus says the Lord,
who made a way through the sea,
a path in the great waters;
who put chariots and horse in the field
and a powerful army
which lay there never to rise again,
snuffed out, put out like a wick:

No need to recall the past,
no need to think about what was done before.
See, I am doing a new deed,
even now it comes to light; can you not see it?
Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness,
paths in the wilds.

The wild beasts will honour me,
jackals and ostriches,
because I am putting water in the wilderness
(rivers in the wild)
to give my chosen people drink.
The people I have formed for myself
will sing my praises.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 125(126)

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage,
    it seemed like a dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
    on our lips there were songs.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

The heathens themselves said: ‘What marvels
    the Lord worked for them!’
What marvels the Lord worked for us!
    Indeed we were glad.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage
    as streams in dry land.
Those who are sowing in tears
    will sing when they reap.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

They go out, they go out, full of tears,
    carrying seed for the sowing:
they come back, they come back, full of song,
    carrying their sheaves.

What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.

________

Second reading
Philippians 3:8-14
I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ

I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in him. I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the perfection that comes from the Law, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God and based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing the pattern of his death. That is the way I can hope to take my place in the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have become perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ Jesus.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
Joel2:12-13

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

Now, now – it is the Lord who speaks –
come back to me with all your heart,
for I am all tenderness and compassion.

Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory!

________

Gospel
John 8:1-11
'Let the one among you who has not sinned be the first to throw a stone'

    Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.

    The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, ‘Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say?’ They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, ‘If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir’ she replied. ‘Neither do I condemn you,’ said Jesus ‘go away, and do not sin any more.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 03rd April 2022

Once again this week we are reminded of what a loving and merciful God we serve. Consider these key verses from each of our readings on this fifth Sunday of Lent:  First from Isaiah, “Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; see, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” Next from St. Paul, “Forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus.” Then the verse before the Gospel: “Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart; for I am gracious and merciful.” And finally, from the Gospel, these words from Christ to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

 
A clear theme emerges from these verses — when we turn to God for forgiveness, He is indeed gracious and merciful. So much so, that not only will He forgive our sins without condemnation, He will make us completely new creations in Christ. Indeed, it seems our heavenly Father delights in doing this for His children. What gratitude we owe to Him!
 
What is more amazing is that this all-perfect and holy God of ours draws so very near to us. Our sins do not drive Him from us, but rather to us so that He can set us free from them. Look carefully at Christ’s actions and posture in the Gospel reading as He deals with both the crowd of people, the Scribes and Pharisees, and the adulterous woman. “All the people started coming to Him and he sat down and taught them.” “He bent down and began to write with His finger.” “Again, He bent down and wrote on the ground.” He “straightened up” when He confronted the Scribes and Pharisees about their own sins. And he “straightened up” when He assured the woman that He did not condemn her for her past. This tells us that Our Lord is not at all distant and aloof from His children. Like a skilled teacher, or loving “big brother,” He bends down to where we are, He sits among us, He stands to confront us when needed and He stands to look us in the eye to remind us of our true dignity.
 
If ever you feel unworthy to be called His disciple —  to serve in a ministry or tell others about your faith — because of your past or because of a vexing sin you can’t seem to overcome, take heart! Seek out God’s forgiveness in the healing sacrament of Confession. Then, forget what is behind you, be filled with gratitude that He has made you brand new — and go! He’s counting on you to share His good news through your witness and through your service to those around you. 
 
We’re all unworthy of the great privilege of being called His disciples. But that is simply cause for greater joy in serving Him and seizing the prize of God’s upward calling in Christ Jesus.