Divine Mercy Sunday- Reflections- Fr. Micahel U. Udoekpo

Readings: Acts 2:42-47; Ps 118:2-4,13-15,22-24; 1 Pet 1:3-9 (A); Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6 (B); Acts 5:12-16; Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13,17-19 (B) and John 20:19-31 (ABC)

 Conduits of Divine Mercy!

Today the Church celebrates “Divine Mercy Sunday” commemorating Jesus’ revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy. Pope John Paul II granted this Feast to the Universal Church on the occasion of his raising Sr. Faustina, a young Polish woman to Sainthood on April 30, 2000 and was decreed to be celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of Easter on May 23, 2000. It is an invitation to us in the midst of life’s difficulties and vicissitudes to always place our confidence in divine benevolence.

Christ’s enthronement on the Cross, his Resurrection and his multiple appearances to his seemingly disillusioned and doubting disciples were nothing but acts of love and mercy towards us. Peter in the Second reading recognizes this when he said “blessed be the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of  Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet 1:3-9).

These disciples, especially those who lived through the Paschal mystery needed the power of Christ’s Peace to calm their fears and be strengthened in the supernatural gifts of faith and fortitude by the Holy Spirit., wherever they were hiding for fear of the "Jews." You will recall the other day, in Luke Chapter 24: 13-35, at Emmaus, when Jesus walked besides Cleopas and his friend on their return from Jerusalem, clouded in sad conversation they did not recognized Jesus until the Risen Christ spent time breaking bread with them. Besides, walking with his disciples, or breaking bread with them in other appearances, he ate baked fish with them (Lk 24:35-48) and also gave them encouraging instruction by the beach in Tiberias (John 21:1-14)

 In John 20:19-31 the Risen Lord appeared to the restless and frightened disciples with blessings of Peace. He breathed on them and commissions them on preaching mission with the power to forgive sins even of those who would persecute the Church. He invites Thomas to touch his wounds; “wounds” that heals Thomas and our faithlessness; “wounds” that replaces lack of peace with Peace of Christ; “wounds” that replaces the spirit of darkness with God’s Spirit of LIGHT. Thomas touches wounds of testimony to truth, courage, unlimited mercy, forgiveness and imitation of the type of love Christ has loved by his examples.   Thomas also touches “wounds” of love, unity, communion and the sharing of the early Christian Community.

Christ's Events: Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, Appearances his Ascension and promise of the Holy Spirit warranted testimonies, faith witnessing and the preaching of the early Church ‘they devoted themselves to teaching of the apostles and to the communal life (Konoinia), breaking of bread and to the prayers…” (Acts 2:42-47). Moreover, “they were of one heart and mind and no one claim that any on his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the Resurrection of Christ…” (Acts 4:32-35). Their witnesses were blessed with the spirit of sharing, mercy towards their neighbors. Witnesses also blessed with true communion with one another; that same communion that our first communion friends and children will be sharing with us during these Sundays, between now and the Pentecost.

Like the Mary Magdalene, Peter, Cleopas, Thomas and the Eleven disciples we do have moment of doubts, uncertainties, trials, confusions, disbelief, hopeless and frustrations. If there moments we have acted uncharitably on mercilessly towards our neighbors let us deep our hands of brokenness into those wounds of Christ!  And be faith- filled, and healed by the wounded healer! Even as we deep our fingers into the communion plates and drink from those cups, may we be strengthened in words of mercy and faith to say with Thomas “my Lord and My God.”  And may our society and the Church be blessed with fruitful evangelization, Peace, Love (1 John 5:1-6), hope (1 Pet 1:3-9), faith and Unity. And may our families, streets, neighborhood, churches and workplaces continue to be channels and conduits for the transmission of Divine Mercy and faith in the Risen Christ.

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy) ABC: Reflections - Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy) ABC: Reflections - Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Acts 2:42-47; Ps 118:2-4,13-15,22-24; 1 Pet 1:3-9 (A); Acts 4:32-35; 1 John 5:1-6 (B); Acts 5:12-16; Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13,17-19 (B) and John 20:19-31 (ABC)
 

Deeping our Hands into the Wounds of Christ!

From Easter Sunday to Pentecost the Church celebrates those fifty days that the Risen Jesus goes around  by his appearances strengthening the faith of his “seemingly” disillusioned disciples over the events of the Cross. It was a supernatural event beyond the powers of Anna, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin and Pilate. Even it took a while, for friends of Christ, his mother, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, the apostles, especially Thomas, being human like any of us to come to  faithful witness to the mystery of the Resurrection (John 20:24-29).

They needed the power of Christ’s Peace to calm their fears and be strengthened in the supernatural gifts of faith and fortitude by the Holy Spirit, wherever they were hiding for fear of persecution . You will recall the other day, in Luke Chapter 24: 13-35, at Emmaus, when Jesus walked besides Cleopas and his friend on their return from Jerusalem, clouded in sad conversation they did not recognized Jesus until the Risen Christ spent time breaking bread with them. Besides, walking with his disciples, or breaking bread with them in other appearances, he ate  baked fish with them ( Lk 24:35-48) and also gave them encouraging instruction by the beach at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-14)

In today’s Gospel  the Risen Lord invites Thomas to touch his wounds (John 20:19-31); wounds that heals Thomas and our faithlessness; wounds that replaces lack of peace with Peace of Christ; wounds that replaces the spirit of darkness with God’s Spirit of LIGHT. Thomas touches wounds of testimony to truth, courage, unlimited mercy and love Christ has loved us.  He touches wounds of love, unity, communion and the sharing of the early Christian Community.

Christ's Events: his Life, Death, Resurrection, Appearances, his Ascension and even the promise of the Holy Spirit warranted testimonies, faith witnessing and the preaching of the early Church ‘they devoted themselves to teaching of the apostles and to the communal life (Konoinia), breaking of bread and to the prayers…” (Acts 2:42-47). Moreover, “they were of one heart and mind and no one claim that any on his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the Apostles bore witness to the Resurrection of Christ…” (Acts 4:32-35). Their witnesses were blessed with the spirit of sharing, communing with one another; that same communion that our first communion friends and children will be sharing with us during these Sundays, between now and the Pentecost.

Like Mary Magdalene, Peter, Cleopas, Thomas and the Eleven Disciples we all do have moments of doubt ,uncertainties, confusions, disbelief, hopeless and frustrations. Let us deep our hands of brokenness and selfishness into those wounds of Christ!  And be faith- filled and healed by the wounded healer! 

Even as we deep our fingers into the communion plates and drink from those cups, may we be strengthened in faith to say with Thomas “my Lord and My God.”  And may our society and the Church be blessed with fruitful Evangelization, Spirit of Sharing, Peace, Love (1 John 5:1-6), hope (1 Pet 1:3-9), faith and Unity. And may our families, streets, neighborhood, churches and workplaces continue to be channels and conduits for the transmission of the faith in the Risen Christ.

Easter Sunday ABC: Reflections - Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Easter Sunday Year ABC: Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17,22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Matt 28:1-9; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:13-35 and John 20:1-9

Alleluia! Tomb was not the final destination of Christ

My dear friends in Christ, I was listening and singing along with you and the choir that beautiful Psalm 118. That Psalm invites you and me to ‘Give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever” (Ps 118:1). It invites you and me to shout Alleluia today, to rejoice and be glad because Jesus has risen. This Day has been designed by the Lord (Ps 118:24) to wipe our tears; to calm our fears, doubts, sadness, and uncertainties and to place smiles and happiness on our lips.

Easter Day! It is the highest point of our Christian faith.  Easter Day! It is a“Feast of Feasts” a “Solemnity of Solemnities.” It is a day that death has not only been annulled but defeated. It is a day that Jesus by his Resurrection guarantees us eternal life. He guarantees us that the Tomb is never the final destination of our loved ones.  The Resurrection of Christ reassures us that neither suffering nor the tomb will ever be our final destination. Faith in Resurrection has a transforming effect on every believer from darkness to light, from despair to hope and joy.

 The mixed events of Palm Sunday and of the Stations of the Cross  of that Good Friday-humanly speaking would have been thought of as a defeat, but divinely speaking the Resurrection is a victory which repairs this defeat. The passion seems to have humiliated, but the Resurrection glorifies. It is a victorious combat divinely directed, since the tomb was never going to be the final destiny of Jesus.
St. Leo the Great in his Sermon (71, 2) once said, “That Jesus hastened to rise as soon as possible because He was in a hurry to console His mother and the disciples.” And the tomb was never going to be the final resting place of the one who is the Resurrection and the Life.

This is the key to interpreting Christ ministry, his whole life and the foundation of our faith. Without the victory of Christ over death our preaching would be useless and our faith in vain (I Cor 15:14-17). I am sure none of us here would doubt this truth, this core value of our Christian faith- that Christ was raised from the death. Even if there is anybody here who is not easily persuaded like the doubting Thomas in John 20:24-29 the good news is that, Thomas did not persist forever in his disbelief. Thomas will come back to believe, to say, “My Lord and My God” (John 20:28). If we dispose ourselves faith can transform us and assist us to handle some of the difficulties we face in life.

 There are several witnesses and testimonies to this truth of resurrection beyond the scope of this liturgy.  St. Paul’s witness in 1 Corinthian 15:3-8 is too outstanding to ignore.  Paul reliably says, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried …raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…appeared to Cephas, then the Twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive… Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all…he also appeared to me.”

Cephas (Peter himself) in today’s first reading Acts of the Apostles (10:34, 37-43) presents his personal sermon on Christ’s ministry of healing  though rewarded with death on a tree which turns out to be the tree of life.  By eating and drinking with Christ after his Resurrection we are reassured of his constant refreshment and nourishment especially at the table of the Eucharist.

Besides, Peter and Paul, the Four Evangelists Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20-21 have testified in detailed the Resurrection of Christ and his appearances, sometimes walking with them and in other occasion eating fish with the disciples.  Remember these Gospels were not written before the Resurrection. They were written after, by people who lived the “DARKNESS” of suffering and passion and had  the opportunity also to witness the ”LIGHT”, the “JOY” and the “VICTORY”  and the transforming power of the Resurrection.

Again the Four Gospels including the text of John 20:1-9 just read the witnesses of those women who came to empty tomb of the risen Jesus on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene filled with loved for Christ went to the tomb very early when it was still dark. She found the stone rolled away. Note how she reacted. She reacted very quickly by running back to informed Peter and the other Disciple Christ, setting the tone for our personal reflection on how we react to the transforming power of the Resurrection of Christ.

She further said to Peter and others, “they have taken the Lord from the tomb and we don’t know where they have put him.”  She initially thought that the body was stolen. Notice also the reaction of Peter. “Peter and the other disciple also ran to the tomb. Lots of running!.  Quite unlike Peter who was initially running away from the “ugly” trial scene. The transformed Peter is now running to the triumphal scene of the Resurrection. Though the Beloved Disciple is the first to arrive Peter is the first to embrace the burial cloth in the empty tomb.  With this cloth they came to believe that Christ had actually risen to die no more. We have something to learn from each of these disciples.

I think Mary Magdalene could be seen as disciple who not only genuinely loved and search for Jesus, but was attached to Jesus, remember he is the truth, the light, the way, the bread of life and the source of  eternal salvation. Like Mary we are called not only to believe but to bear witnesses to our faith where ever we find ourselves each day. Peter had once stumbled but he made to sainthood.
 That you are sick today does not mean that you cannot get well tomorrow. That you have been laid off from a particular job does not mean that all labor doors are closed against you. That you have once in your life doubted the Resurrection or any aspect of our faith or stumble like Peter does not mean you cannot turn things around.

 As we rejoice today may we be strengthened in faith in the transforming power of Christ Resurrection and be reassured that suffering, illness, violence, failures and even death is never our destination- rather, good health, success, peace, reconciliation and eternal life in Christ Jesus.

The Lord's Last Super: Reflections (2) - Fr .Michael U. Udoekpo

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper Year ABC Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
 Readings: Exod 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26 and John 13:1-15

Christ, Eucharist, Love and Service (CELS )

Tonight we begin the Sacred Triduum, three solemn days which encompass the Paschal Mystery of Jesus- Christ and draw each and every one of us into his passion, death and resurrection. You and I know the power of memory, remembrance! Remembering is so powerful. It revitalizes, reactivates and keeps past reality alive in us.  Holy Thursday brings to our minds three gifts:  the gifts of the Lord’s Super/the Holy Eucharist, the gift of the Sacred Priesthood and the gift of Christ redeeming love, love that is stronger than death, stronger than the fear of the fleeing disciples, stronger than the untruthfulness of the power mongering Pilate and of the few “Jewish elites”; a love stronger than the betrayal of Judas, the denials of Peter, the mockeries of the Roman soldiers and the human selfishness. 

Christ, the High priest loves his own to the end- all of us, our pastor, our priests, deacons, s sisters, mom, dad, our children, friends, grandpa and grandma (Jn 13:1). Where ever you are located here in this Church tonight or standing out there in the narthex, know that Christ loves you!

The Eucharist is a banquet of love and service. It provides us a particular opportunity to remember not only how much God loves and would want to “wash our feet” but His ever living presence in our lives, in our homes and families. I remember growing up in a family of six children surrounded with many nieces and nephews. We ate together and served one another from the same plates and drink from the same cup. In sharing and serving I would feel the deep love, the friendship, the nourishment, the strength and the support of my family. We would laugh, joke and talk with trust about events in life, and some of them very important.
 I want to believe that when Christ gathered his disciple in that upper room for that Last Super, a night before his passion he knew the importance of a shared meal, a meal of love and sacrifice; a meal that nourishes and strengthen us in our weaknesses. He wanted this sacred meal, this new Passover to be remembered. He says “Do this in memory of me” (MK14:22ff; Matt 26:26ff, Lk 22:19ff and John 13:1-15), instituting also the Ministerial Priesthood.


 In the Second Reading Paul of today Paul says,

“ I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took break, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “this is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” With the cup Christ said, “this is cup is the new Covenant in my blood, do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me (1 Cor 11:23-26).”

Jesus will always remain really and substantially present with us in the Holy Eucharist. After this meal tonight Jesus would walk across to that garden of Gethsemane (in the daily chapel) from there he would be arrested, harshly interrogated by Annas, Caiaphas and brought to Pilates’ Praetorium for trial. Jesus as John will testify will be killed  on the cross sacrificially at the same hour the paschal lamb of the Jewish Passover is slaughtered (Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14), making Christ the new Passover Lamb, the cup of the new Covenant of love and Service. On the Cross his bones will not be broken and his priestly inner - seamless tunic will not be torn nor shared among soldiers. In this Jesus is protective of each and every one of us, our marriage and religious vows, family values, Christian unity (“May they be one” Jn 17), our priesthood, friendship and faith. He also knew the journey to that cross would be rough but his priestly dignity would remain intact, a tunic of love – challenging even the modern priesthood, in need of your prayers always.

In Exodus chapter 29:4 at the ordination ceremony of Priests, Aaron’s feet and those of his children were washed at the entrance of the tent as stipulated in the old laws (Lev 8:6), for a different reason, external purification.  But still in the context of this meal Christ gave us a sign of interior purification (John 13:1-15) by washing the feet of his disciples, something deeper than deeper than external ritual.

 By washing the feet of his disciple Jesus shows the depth of his love, a love leading to the cross. He teaches the hesitant Peter and all of us new way of sacrificial Love, a new way of service and friendship. Not a new way of “eye service.” He teaches us a new way of self-transcendence not a new way of self- aggrandizement. He teaches us a new way to serve not a new way to be served; a new way of humble friendship with all including the poor.  By washing his disciples feet Jesus overcome by love the inequality that existed by nature between himself and those whom he had chosen as friends. I always believe that how we treat one another publicly or in private is the true measure of the condition of our interior life, especially of our life of prayer.

As we celebrate this Last Super sharing in the bread and wine of new covenant of love and selfless service, Christ, and ready to adore him at that Altar of Repose in that garden, let us know that Christ sees us, he loves us and recognizes us. Let us know that having been washed clean, we have been given the spiritual capacity and blessed with the divine strength of his examples (John 13:12-15) to love and serve one another a Christ has first loved us.

Mass of theLast Super. Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper Year ABC Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

 Readings: Exod 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26 and John 13:1-15

 Christ, Eucharist, Love and Service (CELS )

This morning our beloved Pastor, Father Tom and I took a very smooth ride to the Diocese of Rockville Centre where we together with so many other priests concelebrated the Chrism Mass with the Local Ordinary- the Bishop. (I was the driver and Tom was the passenger). That morning journey was an expression of our faith in Christ, the High Priest, the unity of the Sacred Priesthood and appreciation of Christ’s one redeeming Sacrifice of Love. Oils of Catechumens, the Sick and of the Chrism just received and explained earlier at this Mass were blessed.

Tonight we begin the Sacred Triduum, three solemn days which encompass the Paschal Mystery of Jesus- Christ and draw each and every one of us into his passion, death and resurrection. You and I know the power of memory, remembrance! Remembering is so powerful. It revitalizes, reactivates and keeps past reality alive in us.  Holy Thursday brings to our minds three gifts:  the gifts of the Lord’s Super/the Holy Eucharist, the gift of the Sacred Priesthood and the gift of Christ redeeming love, love that is stronger than death, stronger than the fear of the fleeing disciples, stronger than the untruthfulness of the power mongering Pilate and of the few “Jewish elites”; a love stronger than the betrayal of Judas, the denials of Peter, the mockeries of the Roman soldiers and the human selfishness.  Christ, the High priest loves his own to the end- all of us, our pastor, our priests, deacons, s sisters, mom, dad, our children, friends, grandpa and grandma (Jn 13:1). Where ever you are located here in this Church tonight or standing out there in the narthex, know that Christ loves you!

The Eucharist is a banquet of love and service. It provides us a particular opportunity to remember not only how much God loves and would want to “wash our feet” but His ever living presence in our lives, in our homes and families. I remember growing up in a family of six children surrounded with many nieces and nephews. We ate together and served one another from the same plates and drink from the same cup. In sharing and serving I would feel the deep love, the friendship, the nourishment, the strength and the support of my family. We would laugh, joke and talk with trust about events in life, and some of them very important.

 I want to believe that when Christ gathered his disciple in that upper room for that Last Super, a night before his passion he knew the importance of a shared meal, a meal of love and sacrifice; a meal that nourishes and strengthen us in our weaknesses. He wanted this sacred meal, this new Passover to be remembered. He says “Do this in memory of me” (MK14:22ff; Matt 26:26ff, Lk 22:19ff and John 13:1-15), instituting also the Ministerial Priesthood.

 In the Second Reading Paul of today Paul says,

“ I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took break, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “this is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” With the cup Christ said, “this is cup is the new Covenant in my blood, do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me (1 Cor 11:23-26).”

Jesus will always remain really and substantially present with us in the Holy Eucharist. After this meal tonight Jesus would walk across to that garden of Gethsemane (in the daily chapel) from there he would be arrested, harshly interrogated by Annas, Caiaphas and brought to Pilates’ Praetorium for trial. Jesus as John will testify will be killed  on the cross sacrificially at the same hour the paschal lamb of the Jewish Passover is slaughtered (Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14), making Christ the new Passover Lamb, the cup of the new Covenant of love and Service. On the Cross his bones will not be broken and his priestly inner - seamless tunic will not be torn nor shared among soldiers. In this Jesus is protective of each and every one of us, our marriage and religious vows, family values, Christian unity (“May they be one” Jn 17), our priesthood, friendship and faith. He also knew the journey to that cross would be rough but his priestly dignity would remain intact, a tunic of love – challenging even the modern priesthood, in need of your prayers always.

In Exodus chapter 29:4 at the ordination ceremony of Priests, Aaron’s feet and those of his children were washed at the entrance of the tent as stipulated in the old laws (Lev 8:6), for a different reason, external purification.  But still in the context of this meal Christ gave us a sign of interior purification (John 13:1-15) by washing the feet of his disciples, something deeper than deeper than external ritual.

 By washing the feet of his disciple Jesus shows the depth of his love, a love leading to the cross. He teaches the hesitant Peter and all of us new way of sacrificial Love, a new way of service and friendship. Not a new way of “eye service.” He teaches us a new way of self-transcendence not a new way of self- aggrandizement. He teaches us a new way to serve not a new way to be served; a new way of humble friendship with all including the poor.  By washing his disciples feet Jesus overcome by love the inequality that existed by nature between himself and those whom he had chosen as friends. I always believe that how we treat one another publicly or in private is the true measure of the condition of our interior life, especially of our life of prayer.

As we celebrate this Last Super sharing in the bread and wine of new covenant of love and selfless service, Christ, and ready to adore him at that Altar of Repose in that garden, let us know that Christ sees us, he loves us and recognizes us. Let us know that having been washed clean, we have been given the spiritual capacity and blessed with the divine strength of his examples (John 13:12-15) to love and serve one another a Christ has first loved us.

Palm Sunday ABC: Reflections 2 - Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Palm Sunday Mass Year ABC: Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Isa 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-18,19-20,23-24; Phil 2: 6-11 and Matt 26:14–27:66 (A); Mk 14:-15:47 (B) and Luke 22: 14–23:56

Death on the Cross annulled by the Resurrection

Every year the Church celebrates Palm Sunday which ends the Lenten Season and marks the beginning of the most Holy week in our Christian Liturgy.  It is a week our savior will be exalted on the Cross. It is a week of that hour of glory come to fulfillment. This week Christ, our Lord and Savior will be betrayed, falsely accused, plotted against (John 11:45-53), arrested (Matt 26:47-56), interrogated by Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin ( Matt 26:57-58), tried by Pilate ( Matt 27:1-14), denied by Peter( Matt 26:59-66), mocked and executed in a Roman way ( Matt 27:15-56).  It is a week Christ will draw all people to himself, Jews and the Gentiles, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. It is a Holy and Salvific Week for us; a week of grace; a week of victory over death, victory over injustice, lies and hatred; a week we see new life in the death of Christ.

It is a week we also learn to resist evil not with violence but with prayer, endurance and through peaceful process of dialogue and reconciliation. A week we learn not to act like Pilate, remaining indifferent to truth nor being in a hurry to condemn our neighbors, brothers and sisters, friends and children. It is a week each of us is invited to the foot of the Cross, a week Mary will be handed over to us the faithful Disciples of Christ ( John 19:25ff). A week we are invited to play the role of those ordinary Palestine children, men and women who lined the street with songs of Hosanna welcoming Christ into Jerusalem, into their homes and lives.

Whatever strikes you in today’s liturgy and scriptures please do not lose sight of the person and the figure of Christ and his Love for us, the way went to Jerusalem and to the cross. Going to Jerusalem he was on a donkey not on a horse. Remember at the time of David and Prophet Zechariah (cf 9:9) the donkey had been a sign of kingship, but later an animal for the poor, while the horses came to represent the might of the mighty. Christ today presents us the image of a King of peace arriving Jerusalem on a donkey not on a bullet and nuclear proof Presidential Limousine. Christ reminds us today in that long passion narrative of his fearlessness and courage to conquer death even death on a cross

 Like the Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Isa 50:4-7), he handled it patiently with wisdom and humility, “he gave his back and cheek to those who slapped and plucked his beard. He withstood those spitting and mockery for his love for us.  Christ  handled his persecution as a true and peaceful King, a Hero and true Messiah who knew his “hour” of glory was up, who even forgives his persecutors (Lk 22: 14–23:56). Remember, in the garden before his arrest he did not resist his enemies. Rather when he asked the troops Judas had brought “whom they were looking for” they all staggered and fell to the ground’ (John 18:1-11). He taught Peter; at Malchus incidence of course each and every one of us that violent is never a dignified way to do things or to resolve all differences.  He said, “Peter put your sword back into its Sheath (cf Mk 14:47; Matt 26:51; Lk 22:50 and John 18:10). Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me”?; the cup of the Cross and the cup of the Resurrection (Mk 14:36;Matt 26:39; Lk 22:42 and John 18:11)

In the Praetorium before Judge Pilate, Jesus became the one Judging Pilate against his ignorance of the meaning of the Truth. Giving up his Spirit the veil of the Old Temple was torn from top to bottom, because the Christ the new Temple had not only cleanse the Temple at his entrance into Jerusalem but had divinely promised to destroy and rebuild it in three days (John 2:9). The crucifixion of Jesus is at the same the destruction of the old Temple, and the resurrection of Christ, a rebuilding of a new worship of God in the Spirit of truth, love, forgiveness and endurance (John 4:24 cf. Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Holy Week: From Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection, pp. 11-23).

Paul notices Christ’s teaching endurance and His exalted cross when he says today, “Christ Jesus though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God, something to be grasped…he became obedient to death, death on a cross (Phil 2:6-11). We do like Paul also notice the legacy of love Christ handed to us- the more reason we are not tired, but have come together, gathered in our parish to celebrate this day. Thousands of people, men, women, seniors and children, attorneys and physicians, philosophers and theologians, factory workers and business men and women of diverse cultural and political background. Doesn’t it remind us of the women at foot of the Cross, the Beloved Disciples? What about the Gentile Roman Soldiers and other Jews like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea  who went asking for the body of Jesus for a kingly anointing and burial in a new tomb that had been hewn in a rock (Matt 27:57-61; Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56 and John 19:38-42).  It all comes to fulfill the victory of the cross and what Christ had said that, when he will be lifted up on the cross he will draw everyone to himself (John 3:14; 8:28 and 12:31-32).

As we walk through this Holy Week may we see it as a Holy and a Saving Week; a Week of grace of victory of life over death? Let us not only focus on the weaknesses of Judas, Peter, Pilate and other disciples who fled the suffering and the trial scenes of Christ. But with God’s grace we want to imitate the teaching endurance of the KINGLY Christ, a King of Peace and Love with the faithful examples of those women, men, the Beloved Disciples at the foot of the Cross, by uniting our sufferings our illnesses, our setbacks, the mockeries we experience in life with the Exalted Cross of Christ and with the victory of the Resurrection.

Palm Sunday Year ABC: Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Palm Sunday Mass Year ABC: Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: Isa 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-18,19-20,23-24; Phil 2: 6-11 and Matt 26:14–27:66 (A); Mk 14:-15:47 (B) and Luke 22: 14–23:56

The Victory of Christ’s Death

After the blessings of the Palm and the procession into the Church on Palm Sundays the readings especially the long passion narratives (from Matt 26-27; Mk 14-15; Lk 22-23 or John 18-19) are sometimes always very challenging to comment on. Think of the number of parishes in our diocese, Seminaries, Schools and Religious Houses, then think of how different pastors and preachers must have approached this narrative of the Passion of Christ: all the false politically and religiously motivated charges- his arrest, trial and crucifixion and burial.

I have no doubt many might have focused on Judas’ terrible behavior of betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and his regret afterward  (Matt 26:47-56; 27:3; Mk 14:43-50; Lk 22:47-53 and John 18:1-11),challenging us to be loyal and faithful to one another. Others might want to contemplate the significance of Peter’s weaknesses, the denial of his Master, the misappropriation of power by the Jewish leaders and his opponents. Others still may want to reflect on the role of Pilate in Jesus’ trial; His indifferent to truth and justice. He prefers to release Bandit Barabbas in instead of the innocent Jesus!

Whatever strikes your from today’s liturgy and scriptures we do not want to lose sight of the person and the figure of Christ and his  Love for us to the end (John 13:1), by going to the Cross to die for each and every one ( John 3:16). Going to the cross was not a defeat but a victory when we think of how Christ managed those false charges against him and his appearances before his enemies, Jewish authorities”; Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin and the Roman Tribunal, the soldiers, police officers, Gentile and Jews, secular and religious leaders.

 Like the Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Isa 50:4-7), he handled it patiently with wisdom and humility, “he gave his back and cheek to those who slapped and plucked his beard. He withstood those spitting and mockery for his love for us.

Ironically, he handled his persecution as a true and peaceful King, a Hero and true Messiah who knew his “hour” of glory was up, who even forgives his persecutors (Lk 22: 14–23:56). Remember, in the garden before his arrest he did not resist his enemies. Rather when he asked the troops Judas had brought “whom they were looking for” they all staggered and fell to the ground’ (John 18:1-11). He taught Peter, at Malchus incidence of course each and every one of us that violent is never a dignified way to do things or to resolve  all differences.  He said, “Peter put your sword back into its Sheath (cf Mk 14:47;Matt 26:51; Lk 22:50 and John 18:10). Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me”?; the cup of the Cross and the cup of the Resurrection (Mk 14:36;Matt 26:39; Lk 22:42 and John 18:11)

In the Praetorium before Judge Pilate, Jesus became the one Judging Pilate against his ignorance of the meaning of the Truth. Giving up his Spirit the veil of the Old Temple was torn from top to bottom, because the Christ the new Temple had not only cleanse the Temple at his entrance into Jerusalem but had divinely promised to destroy and rebuild it in three days (John 2:9). The crucifixion of Jesus is at the same the destruction of the old Temple, and the resurrection of Christ, a rebuilding of a new worship of God in the Spirit of truth, love, forgiveness and endurance (John 4:24 cf. Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth, Holy Week: From Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection, pp. 11-23).

Paul notices Christ’s teaching endurance and His exalted cross when he says today, “Christ Jesus though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God, something to be grasped…he became obedient to death, death on a cross (Phil 2:6-11). We do like Paul also notice the legacy  of love Christ handed to us- the more reason we are not tired, but have come together, gathered in our parish to celebrate this day. Thousands of people, men, women, seniors and children, attorneys and physicians, philosophers and theologians, factory workers and business men and women of diverse cultural and political background. Doesn’t it remind us of the women at foot of the Cross, the Beloved Disciples? What about the Gentile Roman Soldiers and other Jews like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea  who went asking for the body of Jesus for a kingly anointing and burial in a new tomb that had been hewn in a rock (Matt 27:57-61; Mk 15:42-47; Lk 23:50-56 and John 19:38-42).  It all comes to fulfill the victory of the cross and what Christ had said that, when he will be lifted up on the cross he will draw everyone to himself (John 3:14; 8:28 and 12:31-32).

As we walk through this Holy Week may we see it as a Holy and a Saving Week; a Week of grace of victory of life over death? Let us not only focus on the weaknesses of Judas, Peter, Pilate and other disciples who fled the suffering and the trial  scenes of Christ. But with God’s grace we want to imitate the teaching endurance of the KINGLY Christ, a King of Peace and Love with the faithful examples of those women, men, the Beloved Disciples at the foot of the Cross, by uniting our sufferings our illnesses, our setbacks, the mockeries we experience in life with the Exalted Cross of Christ and with the victory of the Resurrection.

Palm Sunday ABC:Procession Reflections- Fr. Michael U.Udoekpo

Palm Sunday: Procession Readings and Reflections Year ABC (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10 and Luke 19:28-40) by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Christ’s Humble Entrance into Jerusalem,

Every year the Church celebrates Palm Sunday which ends the Lenten Season and marks the beginning of the most Holy week in our Christian Liturgy.  It is a week our savior will be exalted on the Cross. It is a week of that hour of glory come to fulfillment. This week Christ, our Lord and Savior will be betrayed, falsely accused, plotted against (John 11:45-53), arrested (Matt 26:47-56), interrogated by Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin ( Matt 26:57-58), tried by Pilate ( Matt 27:1-14), denied by Peter( Matt 26:59-66), mocked and executed in a Roman way ( Matt 27:15-56).  It is a week Christ will draw all people to himself, Jews and the Gentiles, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. It is a Holy and Salvific Week for us; a week of grace; a week of victory over death, victory over injustice, lies and hatred; a week we see new life in the death of Christ.

It is a week we also learn to resist evil not with violence but with prayer, endurance and through peaceful process of dialogue and reconciliation. A week we learn not to act like Pilate,  remaining indifferent to truth nor being in a hurry to condemn our neighbors, brothers and sisters, friends and children. It is a week each of us is invited to the foot of the Cross, a week Mary will be handed over to us the faithful Disciples of Christ ( John 19:25ff).

Usually before the principal Mass our palms which will be turned into ashes  for“renewal” next year are blessed. A moment from now we shall reenact the Gospel story we have just heard from Matthew 21:1-11. Like those ordinary people, those pilgrims in the street of Jerusalem (those men, women and children) who gave Christ a royal welcome to Jerusalem for his paschal mystery we are also prepared in our pilgrimage  to embrace Christ with enthusiasm, to welcome him into our lives in the Eucharist we are about to celebrate today. Through the  “Hosanna” (Psalm 118:26; Mk 11:1-10 and Luke 19:28-40) we sing we shall be inviting Christ, Son of David, the King of Israel to “save” us, to come into our lives, into our homes, offices, parish communities and families.

Again from that Gospel (s) Reading (s),He is a humble King, a King of Peace, riding on a donkey instead of a horse. Remember at the time of David and Prophet Zechariah (cf 9:9) the donkey had been a sign of kingship, but later an animal for the poor, while the horses came to represent the might of the mighty. Christ today presents us the image of a King of peace arriving Jerusalem on a donkey not on a bullet and nuclear proof Presidential Limousine. Christ reminds us today of his fearlessness and courage to conquer death even death on a cross. He is a humble King of peace and a King for those who are spiritually and materially poor.

Let us now with enthusiasm go forth in peace, praising Jesus our Messiah, and welcoming him like the Jerusalem multitude!

Fifth Sunday of Lent YearB: Reflectiions- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Fifth Sunday of Lent Year B: Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4, 12-15; Heb 5:7-9 and John 12:20-33

Christ, Source of Eternal Salvation

Our salvation history goes back to God’s dealing, promises and relationships with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and entire Israel, through Moses, the Prophets and Kings. This promise of a new Covenant of salvation foretold by Jeremiah in today’s first reading (Jer 31:31-34) finds it fulfillment in Christ; in his obedience, and teaching love of service and self-ultimate –sacrifice on Calvary cross to redeem us, to lift us up.

This redeeming and glorifying cross that we shall contemplate this coming Holy Week is the subject of the Bible lessons of today. In the Gospel Christ, “the hour has come for the son of man to be glorified. Amen, amen I say unto you, unless a grain of Wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces much fruit.” He went on to say, “whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in his world will preserve it for eternal life.

When Jesus changed water into wine in Cana in Galilee, when healed the blind and the sick commanding them to take their mats home on the Sabbath, when he argued with the selfish Jewish elite, the Sanhedrin or rest Lazarus from the death (John 11: 1-53), he knew his arrest , trial, crucifixion or death was on the way.

Humanly speaking this passion could be seen as a defeat but divinely for Joahannine Jesus this is where the glory of God is discovered. It is exaltation. In his arrest, trial and mockery and crucifixion during the Holy Week  passion narratives, (Matt 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23),especially in John 18-19 Jesus  actually looked forward to this hour of the Cross, of the Glory, source of eternal life. As he goes through the process of this hour, he is not only in ironical control, putting Pilate, the Gentile himself to trial (John 18:28-19:16) he carries his cross by himself (John 19:16-18).

Christ by his death on the cross definitely drew everyone to himself (John 12:20-23), Jesus the Nazoreaon, the King of the Jews was written on the Cross above his head in Hebrew, Greek and Roman (John 19:19-22) by Pilate in all the most important sacred and secular languages of his time, drawing the Jews and the Gentile to faith in him.

With the ushering in of  Passion Week next Sunday, and as Jesus is about to depart, Paul and John reminds us that our obedience to God and of willing sacrifices to serve him through our neighbors will never be in vain (Heb 5:7-9). The best way to follow Jesus is to imitate his endurance, his moral courage, his way of life. We can do this through how we forgive those who acts like Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin or Pilate towards us.  We can do this by the way we empower and lift up others in our day to day encounter and how we love and bring them to share in Christ the source of Eternal life.

Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A: Reflectiions- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Fifth Sunday of Lent Year A: Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
Readings: Eze 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11 and John 11:1-45

Christ, the Giver of Life

Our liturgy of today, the fifth Sunday of Lent marks the end of the Lenten Season. It introduces us, by next week into Passion Sunday and the most Sacred Week during which the Church invites us to contemplate the victorious and glorious meaning of Christ’s, arrest, his trial, his crucifixion and death. The more reason, scripturally today emphasis is on Christ the giver of life.   He gives us life when we are death in hope, when we are left in despair. He revitalizes our faith when confronted with faithlessness, spirit dampening and frustrating circumstances in life.

  We can draw many examples ourselves, but a typical biblical example might have been the life situation of the exiled and displaced Israelites. Their faith and hope must have been in great danger but not for the metaphorical and encouraging words of restoration by Ezekiel, the prophet of exile.  In their difficulties which were like being dead in the grave, Ezekiel said to them: “”thus says the Lord God; O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezek 37:12-14).

We see this life giving and faith restoring Lord always in Johannine ironic Jesus. We see this in his turning water into wine, in his healing ministries, in his fearless preaching, authoritative teaching, moral ascendency; in his multiplication of bread and in his last and seventh miracle/ signs of raising Lazarus from the death, demonstrating his sovereignty over life and death, God’s glory and how much he has always loved us till the end, even though he knew this would lead to some “Jewish leaders’” plot to kill him (John 11:45-53), come this Holy Week.

The most important lesson for us in this in this story is to imitate Mary and Martha. Initially they wept over Lazarus helplessness. Their spirit was down. They were also frustrated because it took Jesus two days to respond to the illness of Lazarus. Truly God’s ways are not our ways. God knows and works by his “hours” and time. He knows when to change water into wine. He knows when to heal the royal official son. God has his own clock and watch different from ours. This is the hour of the cross.  The hour of the Cross is the hour of the Father’s true glory, the hour of Jesus’ true glory.

 Like Martha in our moments of frustrations and hardships we might be saying, “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died.”  Of course, “Lazarus their brother will rise and live.” Like Martha and Mary after our doubts and frustration we want to return to that  faith which holds that  Jesus is the life and the resurrection, and those who believe even though they die will live and everyone who lives and believes in Christ will never die (John 11:25-26). The coming out of Lazarus from the grave teaches Martha and all of us that eternal life conquers death but does not abolish physical death. Remember Lazarus was human and would have to die again.


During this coming Holy week we shall be presented by stories of the the arrest, the trial, the mockery, the insult, the crucifixion of our Lord. Just like the dead of Lazarus, they are not fairy tales. They are real faith stories, but are never the end, but ironies of human incomprehensibility of God.   The resurrection of Christ will definitely defeat his passion. What was lost in exile shall be restored. Let us pray at this Mass that, the Spirit of one who raised Jesus and Lazarus from the death may accompany us daily (Rom 8:8-11) in our faith pilgrimage.  And may we always imitate Mary’s and Martha’s faith in Christ the Giver of Life Eternal, by the way we respond seemingly life’ crises including, illness and the loss of our loved ones.

Fourth Sunday of Lent C: Reflections- Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C: Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Jos 5: 9a, 10-12; Ps 34:2-7; 2 Cor 5:17-21 and Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Our Newness in Christ Come Easter

 You will agree with me that the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15 which teaches us about God’s love and mercy is a delight of many pastors and preachers. It is very popular, unique in Luke, easy to communicate to children, young and adult, and widely use in reconciliation services.

Antecedence to this parable are not only  parables of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) and  the lost coin (vv 8-10) but the particular critique of  Jesus by the Pharisees, namely that Christ welcomed sinners and tax collectors (vv 1-2). This critique prompted also the parable of the prodigal son.

Like the Pharisees most of the time we focus our energy on criticizing our leaders in the society and in the church or every other person around us except our selves. Some of these criticisms might be justified and sometimes they are not, like those of the Pharisees who did not like Christ so much. Our personal weaknesses or prodigality are usually the last ones we notice except with  the grace of God. Like the prodigal son who was a heir to the father we are all God’s children constantly asking, enjoying or searching for our inheritance.

Think of the abundant inheritance God has blessed us with. We inherited our image from God, the gifts of all parts of our body; the gifts of our senses and intelligence, the gifts of roof over our heads, our jobs, positions of wealth and power, healthy children, successful marriages. The fullness of these blessings of course is the attainment of the Kingdom of God, the ultimate inheritance.

Just as the prodigal son abused and misused his inheritance from his father, how often are we not tempted to abuse our inheritance from God: our bodies, our intelligence, our wealth, our successes, money and power. Ordinary think of how we waste even food, water, electricity, clothing, money in the face of majority poor children, men and women in the world.

If at all we have found ourselves in this situation, I believe on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetere Sunday, we can joyfully like the prodigal son make a joyful and courageous U- turn to Christ. Never mind what people might say or complain of as did the first son. In the light of Paul, each of us depending on how this Gospel speaks to us can be recreated; re converted, reconciled and renewed in Christ the Son of the  Loving God and of the Forgiving Father. We can become a new creation (2 Cor 5:17-21) in a renewed relationship with God, who like the father of the prodigal son is joyfully waiting to receive us.

When we forgive, recognize our prodigality; be less jealous of one another, put our various inheritance to good use, God  our Father is ready for us with a new ring, a new rob and with a  sumptuous  Passover feast ( Jos 5:9-12) of eternal life in Christ – at Easter.

Fourth Sunday of Lent B: Reflectiions by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Fourth Sunday of Lent Year B: Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Readings: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 137:1-6; Eph 2:4-10 and John 3:14-21

Joy in the Midst of Temporary Suffering

The Entrance antiphon of today’s Liturgy sets the tone for what we are celebrating today. This antiphon taken from the last chapter of Prophet Isaiah 66:10-11 says ‘Rejoice, Jerusalem, be glad for her…” Today, we celebrate the joy of the liberation and love of God, the joy of freedom in Christ, the joy that awaits all of at Easter in spite the difficult journeys of sins and repentance with charitable works we have done thus far.

In the pages of our Christian Bible, both Old and the New Testaments are found records of God’s uncountable and consistent love for us in spite of who we are.  The Readings of today are typical examples.

The First reading of today from 2 Chronicle 36 summarizes the hope of restoration long foretold by Israel’s prophet like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Zephaniah. It signals the arrival of restoration and redemption; the end of exile and sufferings, through King Cyrus of Persia, God’s instrument of love and mercy (2 Kings 25:27-30) finally fulfilled Christ’s journey to the Cross.  After exiles comes freedom and obedience. After sins come repentance and conversion which are all fruits of God’s love for us insisted in Christ Jesus.

From his own personal experience, Paul, born a Jew, learned in law, reached out to us Gentiles witnessed and bore testimonies to God’s love for us in Christ.   Reminding us today Paul says, “ brothers and sisters, God who is rich, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our  transgression, brought us to life with Christ, through grace” (Eph 2:4-10).

Affirming this,  our well  known passage of John 3:16  says,  “ For God so loved the world that he gave his only, Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life.”

In other words as we journey with faith to embrace the joy of Easter, may we witness this faith by the way we respond to God’s unwavering love for humanity from the Old to the renewed Israel, the Church. This we can do by loving our neighbors. We can respond in the way we are ready to forgive those who have offended us; sharing the care and mercies gone has cared and shone us with our neighbors. And we also want to respond to God’s love by the way we live our family lives and vocations, through our work done well, respecting for dignity of every human person, showing good example of faith and hope with fraternal corrections, cheerfulness even in the midst of temporary difficulties and sufferings.

Fourth Sunday of Lent A: Reflections - Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Fourth Sunday of Lent Year A: Reflections by Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

 Readings: 1 Sam 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b-6; Eph 5:8-14 and John 9:1-41

Christ, Inner Vision of Faith

 The Entrance antiphon of today’s Liturgy sets the tone for what we are celebrating today, Laetere Sunday, a joyous Sunday. This antiphon taken from the last chapter of Prophet Isaiah 66:10-11 says ‘Rejoice, Jerusalem, be glad for her…”   Joy for what God has done for us. Joy for the opportunity we have had the past three weeks to bear the ashes, which renews us in Christ. Joy for all the gifts God has given us, especially the gifts of the Cross which foreshadows the resurrection.

These gifts are not disconnected from specific gifts mentioned in the Bible lessons today. They include the gift of vision. God has given us the ability to see. And not to see is never a comfortable experience. But there are more to mere physical visions, and this we call spiritual vision of faith, the need to be able to see things and life’s events beyond mere appearances, through the Light and pattern of faith in Christ who enlightens and illumines us.  Let us look at the example given in the first reading.

After the failure of Saul one would have humanly thought that one of the first seven children of Jesse would be appointed the next King Israel, to Shepherd Israel. But this was not the case in today’s First Reading (I Sam 16). With the rejection of all the seven children the insignificant eight child of Jesse, David was finally appointed by God for Samuel to anoint as 2nd King of Israel. God reminded Samuel and Jesse that, “Not as man sees does God sees, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.”

For the Pharisees who also depended on externalism and judgment from outside, Jesus in today’s Gospel must have done the wrong thing because he bestowed his healing mercies on this blind beggar on the Sabbath. From the Pharisees’ point of view Christ was a sinner or tools for Satan. Some of the Jews themselves doubted in the first place, that the cured man was blind from birth (v 18).  The blind man’s neighbors were also mixed up because they were all spiritually blind (v 8) to what God can do.  So also were the relatives of the blind man, who succumbed to the darkness of fear than witnessing the healing power of Christ? Fear not to speak the truth or labeling those who try to live the faith with bad labels or tags are not the solutions but forms of spiritual blindness.

However, thrown out of the synagogue, persecuted, denied and rejected by family members and close neighbors (vv 8-34) the cured man once again was found by Jesus, the Son of Man, whom he completely trusted and believed in (vv35-36).  When Jesus says in verse 39 “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see and those who see might become blind” he is drawing a contrast between the blind man who responded in faith to the light of vision brought him by Christ and the Pharisees who claim to see but faithless in the works of Christ.

Lent is a time we re-examine our faith in Jesus, even in the midst of persecutions. It is a time we bring our contemporary spiritual blindness to him for healing. These could be lack of charity in our relationship with our neighbors or lack of religious tolerance, deep faith and hope in the mysteries we celebrate. It could also be lack of appreciation for what God has done for us.  Let us pray at this Mass for the grace to always see God’s love for us beyond appearances. And continue to recognize God’s presence in our neighbors and daily events of life.