First Reading – Acts of the Apostles 4: 32 – 35 (44B)

The community of believers shared “one heart and mind.” No one claimed ownership over anything, everything was held in common, nobody went needy among them, and all “bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”

Second Reading – 1 John 5: 1 – 6

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten by God. “The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.”

Gospel – John 20: 19 – 31

Jesus appeared to the disciples and said, “Peace be with you” and breathed the Holy Spirit on them. Thomas doubted and then believed saying, “My Lord and my God!”

Reflection of the Week

Today’s readings emphasize for us what it means to live as a Christian disciple – both in the early Church and today over 2,000 years later. It means living a life rooted in faith. That faith leads us to love.
The second reading tells us, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by Him” (1 Jn. 5:1).

As Christian disciples, we live a life of love – love of God and love of neighbor, and we use all that we have – our time, our talents, and our treasure – in love of others, following Jesus’ footsteps. Remember, Christ’s whole life on Earth was lived for love of others, so much so that He died out of love for all of us. And so it is our responsibility as His disciples to use all that He has given us out of love for others, proclaiming the Gospel by the way we live.

Holy Saturday:
8 pm The Easter Vigil Trilingual in the church

Easter Sunday:
7 am Mass in the church in English in the church
8:30 am Mass in the church in Spanish in the church
11:30 am Mass in the church in English in the church
1:30 pm Mass in the church in Haitian in the church

O God, who, on this day through Thine only-begotten Son, has conquered death, and thrown open to us the gate of everlasting life

First Reading – Isaiah 52: 13 – 53: 12

Isaiah foretold the Messiah’s sufferings by describing those of the servant who died and was raised up to take away the sins of many.

Second Reading – Hebrews 4: 14-16; 5: 7-9

Jesus is the great high priest, servant of all, source of salvation. Though he was God’s son, he learned obedience through suffering. He was heard because of his reverence.

Gospel Acclamation – John 18: 1 – 19: 42

The Passion of the Lord

First Reading – Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14

The Lord Instructed Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover meal. They were to eat roasted lamb on the doorpost as a sign that those inside God’s command.

Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

Paul recounted the tradition of the Lord’s supper: Jesus said, “This is my body that is for you. This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this in memory of me.”

Gospel Acclamation – John 13: 1-15

Jesus called his disciples together for the Passover Supper. During the meal, Jesus rose, tied a towel around himself, and washed the disciples’ feet. He said, “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.”

First Reading – Isaiah 50: 4-7

The servant of the Lod God was rebuffed but did not turn back; he was beaten and spat upon. The suffering one knew the Lord God was with him.

Second Reading – Philippians 2: 6-11

Christ was in the form God but did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped at. He emptied himself, took the form of a slave, and obedient unto death! Therefore, God exalted him, and all proclaim Lord.

Gospel Acclamation – Mark 14:1 – 15:47 or 15: 1-39

The Passion of the Lord

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday. We commemorate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem and we enter into Holy Week — the week when Christ makes the ultimate sacrifice for us – giving up His life.

Reflection of the Week – 04/01/12

In today’s Gospel, we hear the Passion of Jesus Christ proclaimed. He suffered and died a cruel death for the sake of sinners – for the sake of all of us. And St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading that Jesus Christ “humbled Himself becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” St. Paul tells the Philippians in today’s second reading.  “Because of this … at the name of Jesus every knee shall bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
So, by sacrificing Himself the way He did (for the sake of others), Jesus gave glory to the Father. What does that mean for us today?

As His disciples, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps. We follow His example. This does not mean that we are all called to die a cruel torturous death. But we are all called to live lives of sacrifice – offering ourselves – our time, our talents, and our treasure – to love and serve the Lord by loving and serving others. What’s more, we do not do so in such a way that we give of our excess. Quite the opposite, in fact. Jesus’ Passion and Death shows us that this gift of self ought to be sacrificial. It ought to come from the first fruits of ourselves. In fact, we ought to give our whole lives – everything we say and do should be done for the glory of God and the service of others.

It is not an easy calling, but it is a noble one. The goal of it all, to give glory to the Lord our God.