We gather around the Easter candle on this cold Easter night, celebrating the Lord’s resurrection. With that light to illumine our way and to warm our hearts, we listen to God’s word at the Easter Vigil and prepare to renew our baptism an make a new start in the Easter springtime.
There is no Mass on Holy Saturday. Here are some reflections for this sombre day. Evocative signs This is our Passover, the night of nights and the feast of feasts. Let us celebrate and rejoice, therefore! To let our feelings catch up with our convictions, on this holy night we use fire and darkness and…
1st Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 The pains of the suffering servant, who carried the sins of his people See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Just as there were many who were astonished at him-so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond…
The liturgy that begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday continues until we reach Easter. We are at the start of a three-day celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We journey from the Last Supper to Gethsemane tonight, from there to Calvary tomorrow, and from the tomb to resurrection and new life at the Vigil of Easter Sunday.
First Reading: Exodus 12:1-2, 11-14 Israel’s departure from Egypt — to be celebrated for all time Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. One day, after…
1st Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 The Suffering Servant trusts in God for rescue The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened…
Saint Stanislaus, bishop and martyr 1st Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6 The life of God’s servant seems a failure, but it bears great fruit Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my…
1st Reading: Isaiah 42:1-7 My Servant, whom I uphold, the One in whom I delight The Lord says: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his…
Opening Comment (for Mass without Procession or Solemn Entrance) Today’s liturgy gives us a preview of the events we will celebrate in the Easter Triduum later this week. The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus are the focus of this and every Sunday celebration. Penitential Rite As we prepare ourselves to celebrate these sacred mysteries,…
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-7 The Suffering Servant shall not be put to shame The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has…
First Reading: Ezekiel 37:21-28 I will bring them back, and I will cleanse them Say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from every quarter, and bring them to their own land. I will make them…
Saint John Baptist de la Salle, priest 1st Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13 Though many plot against God’s servant, he is safe in God’s hands For I hear many whispering: “Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. “Perhaps he can be enticed, and we…
First Reading: Genesis 17:3-9 Abraham believe in God’s promises, despite delays and disappointments Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be…
Saint Vincent Ferrer, priest 1st Reading: Daniel 3:14-20, 24-25 Trusting in God, the faithful three are saved from the fiery furnace Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set up? Now if…
Saint Isidore of Seville, bishop and doctor of the church 1st Reading: Numbers 21:4-9 The brazen serpent; anyone bitten can look at it and live From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people…
1st Reading: Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 31-62 Susanna is falsely accused; Daniel’s questions uncover the truth There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Joakim. And he took a wife named Susanna, the daughter of Hilkiah, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord. Her parents were righteous, and had taught their…
Opening Comment
In just over ten days time, the Easter Triduum will begin, on Holy Thursday evening. The time when baptism is celebrated is now very close. We ask God’s help for all the adults and children preparing for baptism this Easter, and pray that we may be fit and ready to renew our baptismal vows at the same feast.
Saint Francis of Paula, hermit First Reading: Ezekiel 37:12-14 During the exile, God’s people were like a pile of dried bones Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back…
Saint Ceallach or Celsus 1st Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20 The Just One is led like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter It was the Lord who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me their evil deeds. But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did…
