SUNDAY- 4^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 2:14.36-41:  God has made him both Lord and Christ.

II Reading: 1Peter 2:20-25: You have come back to the shepherd of your souls.

Gospel: John 10:1-10: I am the gate of the sheepfold.

The Shepherd and His Sheep: False vs. True Teachers, 10,1-6

This passage begins the great revelation of Jesus as the Shepherd of Life. Jesus is pictured as the true Shepherd of the sheep. Peter tells us that Jesus is for us Lord and Christ, Saviour; who is the good shepherd care for us and protect us from all sin and dangers of life and finally gives us life which is eternal. Jesus appointed Peter and the apostles shepherds of his flock to lead his church in his name. So the Christian community must take care and look after the shepherds of the Church and they must pray for more vocations to become good shepherds for the mission of Jesus Christ the Lord.

1. The sheep pen (v.1)

2. The false shepherd (v.1)

a. Enters the wrong way

b. Is a thief and robber: Seizes by false entry and force

3. The true shepherd (v.2-3)

a. Enters the appointed door

b. Is known by the watchman (God)

c. Knows sheep by name

d. leads and shepherds the sheep

4. The sheep (v.4-5)

a. Know the shepherd’s voice

b. Follow the shepherd who goes before them

c. Flee from strange voices

5. The parable or figure or speech: was not understood (v.6)

The Gate of the Sheep: The only Way to God, 10:7-10

Jesus claims to be the gate of the sheep. Jesus is probably referring to the gate of the community sheep pen or a community pasture which housed all the flocks of an area. There is however, descriptive picture of Jesus as the gate.

1. Jesus is the only gate of the sheep (v.7-8)

a. All others are thieves and robbers

b. Proof: The sheep did not listen to them

2. Jesus is the only gate that leads to salvation (v.9)

a. “In and out” : security

b. “Pasture”: provision

3. Jesus is the only gate that leads to abundant life (v.10)

a. All others come to take and to steal

b. Jesus comes to give life

Thought: Jesus answered “ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6)

The strange voice can be the voice of false religion, false science, false psychology, false philosophy, humanism, materialism, worldliness, fame …etc.

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3rd SUNDAY OF EASTER-YEAR A

I Reading: Acts 2:14.22-33: It was impossible for him to be held in the power of Hades.
II Reading: 1Peter 1:17-21: Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or slain, namely Christ.
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35: They recognized him at the breaking of the bread.

Jesus’ Appearance to Two Believers on the Road to Emmaus:
An Immortal Journey, Lk 24:13-35

This is one of the most beloved accounts of the resurrection story and it is found only in Luke. Three points come to mind: the courtesy of the travellers in inviting the stranger to dine with them; the significance of the breaking of bread and searching of the Scriptures.
It is an account of Jesus’ helping two ordinary persons who had lost hope and fallen into the pit of sadness and despair. Their experience was an immortal journey. 
1. Scene 1: Taking a lonely but thoughtful walk (v.13-14)
a. They had heard about the resurrection: “that same day”
b. They thought about and discussed the events
2. Scene 2: Considering three critical questions (v.15-27)
a. Jesus drew near, but he was unrevealed
b. Question 1: What are you talking about?
1) A gloomy look
2) Answer: The things that have happened
c. Question 2: What events?
a) He was a great prophet
b) He was crucified 
c) He was thought to be the Messiah
2) Jesus’ prophecy of three days 
3) Jesus’ empty tomb and perplexing reports
a) Reports of visions
b) Reports of Jesus’ being alive
c) Reports confirmed
d. Question 3: Did not the Prophets predict the Messiah’s death and resurrection? 
1) A mild rebuke
2) His death and resurrection were necessary
3) He explains the Scripture
3. Scene 3: Experiencing the burning truth-Jesus is risen; He is alive (v.28-32)
a) The two sought to hear more: invited Him to stay with them
1) He accepted the invitation
2) He blessed the food
b) Jesus opened their eyes: They knew the Lord
c) They had experienced conviction: A burning within their hearts
4. Scene 4: Proclaiming the immortal witness (v.33-35)
a. The two rushed to the disciples
b. The exciting meeting, the immortal witness: Christ is risen
1) Had been seen by Simon
2) Had been seen by the two from Emmaus

Thought: These two were seeking to understand the death and empty tomb of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the subject of their conversation. They were seeking the truth; therefore, Christ drew near them.
The problem with the two from Emmaus , as it is with so many today, was there short-sightedness and unbelief.

Thought: The greatest of all tragedies is that some still do not accept and believe the Lord’s death and resurrection despite the irrefutable evidence.
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EASTER SUNDAY, MASS OF THE DAY-Year A,B,C

I Reading: Acts 10: 34, 37-43: Peter’s testimony-We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.

II Reading: Colossians 3:1-4: Life with Christ-You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.

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

The Great Discovery-The Empty Tomb, 20:1-10

In studying John’s account, it must be remembered that John was writing an historical account. He was not interested in giving insurmountable evidence for the resurrection. His interest was twofold:

(1) To give the evidence that led him to immediately understand and believe.

(2) To give enough evidence to lead anyone to immediate belief-if a person is willing to believe.

He was interested in giving enough evidence to make anyone’s faith viable and respectable. Now having said this, John’s record of Jesus’ resurrection is a strong historical account of the event. To an honest, objective and good heart, the evidence is convincing (Lk 8: 15).

1.    John’s gospel eliminates any possibility of his fabricating a lie, especially a lie of such immoral proportions.

2.    The phenomenal event actually took place. Peter and John’s running and John’s outrunning Peter; Mary’s human response of frantic bewilderment; the author’s fearing and hesitating to enter a tomb; the author’s believing without physical fact and admitting that his belief was not based upon an understanding of Scripture.

3.    The head wrapping is strong evidence for the resurrection. Only the head piece is actually said to be folded up by itself. The other pieces are assumed to be still folded up because of the phrase “separate from the linen.”

4.    The changed lives of the Lord’s disciples are indisputable evidence. It is psychological evidence. They were propelled by a dynamic power and bold courage. They preached and proclaimed the risen Christ to the very people who were seeking to arrest and execute them because the Lord had indeed risen, and He had planted within them a dynamic new power never before experienced by man.

In discussing evidences, we must remember that God through inspiration has not formulated the Scripture that He is (exists), that He is love and that He has shown His love supremely by sending His own Son to save a lost and dying world. What God wants from us is to love and belief, love for the Lord Jesus and belief in the supreme power of a loving God. This is just the point of the resurrection account. We are to believe because we love even as Mary and John loved (Mt 28:1; Jn 20:7-10; Heb 11:6; 1Jn 3:23).

1.    Mary’s unquestioning discovery: The unsealed tomb (v.1-2)

a.    She visited early

b.    She saw the stone rolled back

c.     She ran to Peter

d.    She revealed unquestioning love: “They have taken the Lord”

2.    Peter and John’s shocking discovery: The strips of linen (v.3-6)

a.    They ran to the tomb

b.    John glanced in: Saw the strips of linen

c.     Peter entered: Saw the strips of linen

3.    John’s thoughtful discovery: The undisturbed strips of linen (v.7-10)

a.    The strips of linen

1)    They were lying “undisturbed”

2)    The head wrapping was still folded

b.    The immediate belief

1)    John saw and believed

2)    He finally understood the Scripture

Thought: It is because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is an empty tomb and not the other way.

 

WISHING YOU A VICTORIOUS EASTER & PEACE OF THE RISEN CHRIST!

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EASTER VIGIL

MASS OF EASTER NIGHT-YEAR A

I Reading: Romans 6:3-11: The reading expresses the closeness of the bond between Christ and the believer in baptism, death, resurrection and the new life.

Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10: The reading presents what is the corner stone of our faith, the Lord’s resurrection.

THE MESSIAH’S RESURRECTION:SURROUNDING EVENTS,

MT 28:1-15

Matthew reports five significant events surrounding the resurrection-events that stir interest and challenge action.

1. The time of the resurrection (v.1)

2. The first witnesses of the resurrection (v.1)

          a. Mary Magdalene

          b. The other Mary

3. The miraculous events of the resurrection (v.2-4)

          a. The great earthquake

          b. The great stone rolled back

          c. The radiant figure

                    1) Appearance: Dazzling

                    2) Clothing: As snow

          d. The guards terrified

                    1) Shook

                    2) Acted as dead men

4. The appeals of the resurrection (v.5-10)

          a. Do not fear

                    1) Your seeking Messiah is known

                    2) He was crucified

                    3) He is risen

          b. Come, see: believe and live

          c. Go quickly and tell: The glorious news

                    1) He meets you

                    2) You will see Him

                    3) The women obeyed: With fear and great joy

          d. Greetings: The glorious encounter with Jesus Himself

5. The attempt to discredit the resurrection (v.11-15)

          a. The guards reported the resurreciton

          b. The authorities were baffled: Devised a plan

          c. The authorities bribed and assured the soldiers of protection from Pilate

          d. The lie was found out: The truth marched on

Thought: Thinking and meditating upon the Lord will help us to understand the Lord and prepare us to receive the great truth of His resurrection. (Is 1:18). The power of God is awesome and terrifying.

Believers can become witnesses of the Lord’s death and resurrection-clear witnesses. They can see as though they were eye-witnesses-all by God’s Spirit. (Gal 3:1; Jn 14:24; Rom 8:16).

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FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD-A,B,C

(GOOD FRIDAY)

THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12: He was pierced through for our faults.

Second Reading: Hebrews: He learnt to obey through suffering and became for all who obey him, the source of eternal salvation.

Gospel:The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. 18:1-19:42

The Passion narrative explains the suffering and death of Jesus Christ to save the whole world. Jesus conquered sin and death through his total obedience to the Will of God, his complete trust in his Father and his humility until death on the cross; therefore God raised him from death. Although his nature was divine, he did not count equality with God but humbled himself like a slave unto death.

The scribes, Pharisees, chief priests, elders, Iscariot Judas one of his disciples, his own people and the common crowd went against him and wished Jesus to be crucified. Even Pilate did not give him justice during verdict. What a pity! What an injustice, exploitation, abuse, corruption and inhuman life was/is in the society and in the world! Even the crowd said let him to be crucified and his blood should come on us and on our children.

What is the cause or reasons of his death? Jesus spoke the truth, proclaimed the Word of God/ message of God, directly attacked the hypocrisy of the religionists, loved the sinners, out casts, tax collectors, gentiles and healed the sick on the Sabbath and raised the dead, ate food without washing his hands and legs, even his own disciples plucked and ate corns from other’s field. The authorities and people did not obey to the teachings of Jesus, neither they repented for their sins nor they listened to God’s commandments. They wanted to live and do as they liked independently without obeying to God’s message and the teachings of Jesus.

According to the Gospel of John, the glorification of Jesus took place on the cross and brought salvation to the world.

The celebration of the Lord’s Passion consisting of three parts, namely:

1. The Liturgy of the Word

2. The Adoration of the Cross

3. Holy Communion

Thought: The world’s religion allows people to continue in their own way and do pretty much as they wish and still feel acceptable to God. Just think for a moment!

Jesus gives us an excellent picture of absolute surrender. He went forth devotionally, willingly, vicariously and purposefully to die- to drink the cup that was/is the cup of his covenant which was/is shed for the forgiveness of sins for all/many.

How few people proclaim the true teaching of Jesus Christ and so few people are willing to sacrifice their lives for the world to reach a lost, starving and diseased world (Mt 19:21-22; 19:23-26; 1Jn 2:15-16).

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HOLY THURSDAY-YEAR –A

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

Chrism Mass

(THE LAST SUPPER OF JESUS)

I Reading:Exodus 12:1-8,11-14: Instructions concerning the Passover meal.

II Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the Lord.

Gospel: John 13: 1-15:Now he showed how perfect his love was.

We have gathered this evening not as individuals but as a family to commemorate the Last Supper or the Last Meal of our Lord Jesus on earth before on the night he suffered. He is in our midst and we are around Him, as the twelve disciples were with Him. Jesus is already in our midst though we cannot see him with our eyes of flesh, he welcomes us at this very moment, repeating to us the very words he spoke to his twelve disciples on that occasion. “I have eagerly desired to eat this meal with you” (Lk 22:15).

On this Holy Thursday, Jesus instituted the two sacraments: The sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of the Holy Priesthood.

We are lucky to have the priests of the Lord to celebrate the Eucharist in this church daily and all over the world to eat and drink the Body and the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The readings of today speak to us about the three groups of people:

1.    The Jewish family: God gave instructions to the people of Israel through Moses to celebrate the most important event of the year: The Passover Meal. That meal was meant to remind them how their ancestors had been delivered from the slavery of Pharaoh in Egypt. In celebrating the Passover, the eyes of the Jews were set on their past: they praised God for the love he had shown to their ancestors.

2.    The group of the twelve disciples around Jesus: The Gospel speaks of a new family created by Jesus and his twelve disciples; who represent the new Israel and new people of God.

At this time Jesus was giving to the Passover Meal a new meaning. At his Last Supper, Jesus celebrated a new deliverance, one he would carry out the next day on the cross: the deliverance not just of one nation but of all mankind from the slavery of the devil; he would obtain it at the price of his own blood. Jesus anticipated the deliverance, so to say: he took bread, and by his power, he changed it into his Body. He took a cup filled with wine and changed the wine into his own Blood. He gave his Body and Blood to his disciples for them to eat and drink. He said to them “Do this in memory of me.”

 Jesus gave his twelve disciples the power to do what he had just done. They were to do it time and again till he would again, that is, until the end of time.

The word Eucharist means thanksgiving. Jesus instituted it both to carry out the deliverance of people from sin and to thank his Father for that same deliverance.

Jesus performed three main actions at his Last Supper:

i)                He washed the feet of his twelve disciples.

ii)             He instituted the Holy Eucharist.

iii)           He gave to his disciples the new commandment of love.

These three actions were meant to go inseparably together: service and love for the brothers and sisters in the community were to precede and to follow the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

3.    The Christian community at Corinth: In the second reading of today Paul rebukes his Christians of Corinth in strong terms, because they did not celebrate the Eucharist the way the Lord had commanded. There was something very wrong with their mutual love and lack of concern for the poorer members of the community which was very harmful. That moved Paul to warn them in the strongest terms: if they went on celebrating the Eucharist without mutual love, their community was in very serious danger (1Cor 11:30).

The Eucharist is essential to the life of the Christian community; without it, the Church would cease to exist. The readings of today provide precious guidance for the Christian community to celebrate the Eucharist the way Jesus wanted it celebrated.

When celebrating the Eucharist we should keep our mind fixed on the past, which is on the Last Supper and on Jesus’ Passion, remembering that he saved us from the slavery of sin at the cost of his life. We should also keep in mind in the present that Jesus goes on with his work of setting us free of sin each time we celebrate the Eucharist. We should also keep our thought fixed into the future, waiting for his final coming when he will set us completely free, free for ever.

Christ wants us to celebrate the Eucharist not individually but as a family (Ex 12:11). On this day we must ask God to give us priests from our children in the believing Christian families to carry out the mission of Jesus on this earth and to establish the kingdom of God in the world especially in this parish church.

The Demonstration of Royal Service, John 13: 1-17

The disciples had been arguing over who would hold the leading positions in the government Jesus was about to set up (cp. Lk 22:24; Mk 10:35-45, esp.v.41). They were caught up in the ambition for position, power and authority. How the heart of Jesus must have been cut! He had so little time left for them to learn that the way to glory is through service and not through position and authority. it was this that led Jesus to wash the disciples’ feet and to demonstrate what true royalty is: serving others.

1.    In the Upper Room right before the Passover (v.1)

2.    The impetus for royal service (v.1-2)

a.    Knowing His time, His hour had come

b.    Loving His followers to the very end

c.     Knowing His enemies

3.    The extreme demonstration of royal service (v.3-5)

a.    Knowing His mission

b.    Laying aside His outer clothing

c.     Washing the disciples’ feet

4.    The prerequisite for royal service: washing and cleaning (v.6-11)

a.    Washing is misunderstood

b.    Washing has a deeper meaning: spiritual cleansing

c.     Washing is requested

d.    Washing is thorough and permanent

e.     Washing is not automatic nor by association

5.    The meaning of royal service (v.12-14)

a.    To serve Jesus as Teacher and Lord

b.    To serve other believers royally, sacrificially, leading them to be washed and cleansed

6.    The reasons for royal service (v.15-17)

a.    Because of Jesus’ example

b.    Because believers are not as great as the Lord

c.     Because of resulting joy

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PASSION SUNDAY (Palm Sunday)-HOLY WEEK-A

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem

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

II Reading: Philippians 2:6-11: He humbled himself, but God raised him high.

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66 :The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew

The Messiah Betrayed by Judas:

The Pictured of a Ruined Life, Mt 26:14-16

Today we are starting the Holy Week, the most important time our Year of Worship.

Jesus died, yet he still lives on. He went up to heaven but continues to live in our midst. As we have gathered for this Church Service he too has come, faithful to his promise given in the Gospel, to be in the midst of his disciples at prayer (Mt 18:20).

He comes not only to listen but also to speak. He will not be a passive onlooker but active at his work of saving us.

We have gathered to re-enact what happened on that first Psalm Sunday when Jesus went from Bethany to Jerusalem.

The people taking part have changed; there are no apostles and no Jews; we have taken their place. But the same Jesus present there, is also present here.

This Sunday has two names: Psalm Sunday and Passion Sunday. This sounds bit strange; it sounds like saying that it is a Sunday to rejoice and a Sunday to mourn. Well, it is precisely that, as we shall find as the service proceeds:

In the first part of the service, we remember the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem acclaimed by all the people. The procession started from Bethany, the village of Lazarus, Martha and Mary, and ended in the Temple of Jerusalem.

During the second part, inside the church, we shall remember Jesus’ passion and death both in the readings and in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Our procession will end up in the church, which represents Jerusalem. Let no one think that this procession is some sort of entertainment. Jesus will walk in our midst, and we are going to acclaim him as our king, the king of our families, of our village, town, city and of each one of us. Our hymns and prayer will amount to a firm promise to serve Him and Him alone.

Let now listen attentively to what the Gospel tells us about Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem.

Matthew 21:1-11: Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!

A. The central message contained in the narration:

a) Jesus was Messiah awaited by the people of Israel

b) Jesus was the Messiah announced by the prophets

B. What were the thoughts that occupied the mind of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem acclaimed by all the people?

C. Christ accepts whatever we offer in sincerity of heart and makes use of it to save us.

This was a dramatic picture. Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem began the last week of his life. It is what we call Holy Week or Psalm Sunday. Jesus was unquestionably claiming to be king, but He was claiming to be a different kind of king, a king who was different from what people usually conceived. He was claiming to be the king of peace, the king whose kingdom is not of this earth (Jn 19:36).

The Triumphal Entry: Jesus Deliberately Claimed to Be the Messiah, Mt 21:1-11

Jesus began the of his life. he spent the night before (the Sabbath evening) in Bethany with Lazarus, Mary and Martha (Jn 12:1f). He was now going to deliberately demonstrate that he was the Messiah, the One prophesied to be the Saviour of the world. He pictured without question that he was the fulfilment of prophecy, the One for whom all righteous men had longed and looked.

1. Jesus’ last week began in Jerusalem (v.1)

2. He deliberately fulfilled prophecy (v.2-5)

3. He deliberately received the homage of the disciples (v.6-7)

4. He deliberately received the homage of the people (v.8-9)

5. Conclusion: The question of the people in Jerusalem (v.10-11)

Thought: A deliberate decision is now required to us. As Jesus deliberately fulfilled the prophecy, so we now deliberately accept or deliberately reject His claim.

We must proclaim Christ as our King and the Messiah and the Saviour of the world because he has saved us from sin and death while dying on the cross for the whole world.

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