March 27, 2016: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ

A new order of the ages has dawned now that Jesus Christ has resurrected from the dead, a reality announced by the Empty Tomb to those first disciples, and us.  Our eyes are now fixed upward toward Heaven, where we can look forward to being in God's presence because Christ has won it for us by His Paschal Mystery.  And as we strive toward Heaven, we proclaim this new reality that Christ is Risen, and lives forever, even in us His people whom He has brought to new Life, who have witnessed this Life abounding.

March 26, 2016: Holy Saturday Easter Vigil

It is a marvelous work that God has accomplished in saving His people that He created to be good.  His salvation is something that we experience internally as His graces enter us, making us anew through and through.  That is the power that comes as we join ourselves to Christ.

So the Resurrection is a reality that is embedded into our lives now.  This story is our story, which God has brought about for the glory of His Holy Name.

March 25, 2016: Cross Friday

It's a rather unpleasant day to say the least, that reminds of us the worst the world has to offer: suffering and death.

In coming to us as our Savior, Jesus didn't scorn the worst of the world.  He became fully intimate with it, whereby He has redeemed suffering and death.  They are now a means by which we can be free from the evils of the world and draw close to God who loves us so much He sent His Son to suffer and die for us, taking on the punishment we deserved for our sins, so that we could have healing, forgiveness, and Life in Him forever.

March 24, 2016: Maundy Thursday

The Great Triduum has begun...

At a meal commemorating the Covenant by which God delivered His people from Egypt, Jesus Christ instituted a New Covenant in a meal that would be life-giving, in which He gave of His very self for His people.  It gives Life because it compels us, according to His new commandment, to love one another, as He loved us.

As we love, and partake of this meal, we remember constantly what He has done for us.

March 20, 2016: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

We recall at the start of Mass this day the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  The crowds yelled out, "Hosanna", an expression that means, "Save us."  They rightly acclaimed Him as the One who saves.

Yet He saves not in the way the world regards, for He wins through suffering, bleeding, and dying, on a Cross.  In this suffering, Christ entrusts Himself to the Father, doing His will, that out of death would come a glorious Resurrection.

We who are baptized are joined to Christ, so that we share in His sufferings, and may have a share in His Resurrection.

March 13, 2016: Fifth Sunday of Lent

God is doing a marvelous work in the world:  We no longer have to stand condemned before Him in our sin.  Christ has come, showering us with mercy, directing us away from sin and condemnation to freedom from sin, and righteous living.

We turn our attention from the past because God is making us new, a great work that fills us with joy.  The new work is that by faith we are made righteous, joining ourselves to Christ, striving forth to more fully embrace His Paschal Mystery, by which we are saved.  In our strivings, we share in His sufferings, in the hope of attaining His Resurrection, which compels us to share the mercy we have received.  And so we are part of making new the world.

March 6, 2016: Fourth Sunday of Lent/Laetare Sunday

We've surpassed the midpoint of Lent, and we take this opportunity to rejoice: We rejoice that God is gracious and merciful, ready to rush at us when we turn toward Him, to embrace us with His forgiveness.

We see this as the reality of our lives because God sent Jesus to be the Minister of Reconciliation. Jesus took sin upon Himself, suffering and dying to bring us back to God.  We are now made a new creation in giving our lives to Christ, and then extend to others the mercy and forgiveness He has given us.  Indeed, in such mercy we see a God who provides abundantly, as He did manna for the Hebrews for 40 years, and then the produce of the land.  In Christ, we now have received His greatest provision.