Christ, Conduits of Divine Mercy!;Homily Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) ABC: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Christ, Conduits of Divine Mercy!

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

·       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 (C)

·        John 20:19-31(ABC)

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. 

It is a teaching Sunday that invites us to embrace Christ’s enthronement on the Cross, his Resurrection and his multiple appearances to his seemingly disillusioned and doubting disciples  as nothing, but acts of love and divine mercy towards us. Christ went to the cross freely to save us! (Song- "all the way to Calvary... went for us..."). Peter in the Second reading, particularly of Year A recognizes this when he says

“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).

Christ’s disciples particularly those who lived through the events of Palm Sunday to Easter needed the power of Christ’s Peace to calm their fears and be strengthened in the supernatural gifts of faith and fortitude through the Holy Spirit., wherever they were hiding for fear of the "Jews."

I am sure we still 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)

Today again in John 20:19-31 the Risen Lord appears to the restless and frightened disciples with blessings of Peace (Shalom)! He breathes on them and commissions them on a preaching mission with the power to forgive sins, “whose sins you forgive are forgiven them and whose sins you retain are retained” (Jon 20:23).

On a day like this, Divine Mercy Sunday, I would think that Our Lord encourages us to be merciful to one another, in our homes, families and communities, and to continue to appreciate the gift of the sacrament of reconciliation in the Church. And when this celebration in done in a Seminary, a house of formation of future priest for our parishes and dioceses we cannot but continue to pray for our priests and would be priests to see themselves as ministers of Divine Mercy and agents of shalom.  And this is confirm in 2011 documents from the Congregation for the Clergy, The Priest, Minister of Divine Mercy….p. 3 which says, ‘ the priest is a minister, that is to say that he is at the same time both a servant and a prudent dispenser of Divine Mercy…”

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict the XVI in his 2010 Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland, which is also applicable to every priests (and all of us) urges priests themselves (and us) who have wrong others, “not to be “despair of God’s Mercy,” that “Christ’s redeeming sacrifice has the power to forgive even the gravest of sins, and to bring forth good from even the most terrible evil.”

Divine Mercy is sufficient unto each of us, all the disciples- mom, dad, children, clergy, priests, Seminarians, as it was for all men, and women we hear in Scriptures.

Besides encouraging us to be "masters of divine mercy", Christ invites us like Thomas to touch his wounds (John 20:19-31); wounds that  would heal Thomas’ wounds of disbelief and faithlessness; wounds that replaces lack of peace with Peace of Christ; wounds that replaces the spirit of darkness with God’s Spirit of Light. Christ’s wounds, a catalyst for testimony of the healing truth, courage, unlimited mercy and inexhaustible love of Christ.  Thomas touches wounds of love, unity; wounds that would empower communion, the sharing (konoinia) and the preaching of the early Christian Community.

This we are told in Acts of the Apostle,

“All who believed were together… (as we are today in this church) they devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life (konoinia), breaking of bread and praying together….” (Acts 2:42-47).

Moreover,

“They were of one heart and mind and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common…they bore witness to the Resurrection of Christ…” (Acts 4:32-35).

Like Thomas, Mary Magdalene, Peter, Cleopas, and the Eleven Disciples, we all do have moments of doubt, uncertainties, confusions, disbelief, hopelessness, selfishness and frustrations.  Conscious also of those moments we might have acted uncharitably or mercilessly towards our neighbors, we are invited today to deep our hands into those wounds of Christ!  And be filled with faith and strengthen by Christ, our wounded healer! 

The Eucharist we shall soon move up to celebrates provides us a fitting opportunity to deep our fingers into these wounds of Christ.  As we come up today to receive, May we be strengthen with mercy, love (1 John 5:1-6), hope (1 Pet 1:3-9), faith and unity to say with Thomas “my Lord and My God.” 

And may our families, streets, neighborhoods, churches and workplaces continue to be true channels and conduits for the transmission of Divine Mercy and faith in the Risen Christ.

Reflection Questions

1.    Do we act mercifully unto our neighbors?

2.    What prevents us from recognizing Christ’s presence in our midst?

3.    How do we relate to today’s scripture readings?

Deeping our Hands into the Wounds of Christ!

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

·       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 (C)

·       John 20:19-31(ABC)

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 victory of the Cross; that supernatural event beyond the powers of Anna, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin and Pilate other opponents of Jesus. 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  terms with the mystery of the Resurrection (John 20:24-29). He needed to deep his hands in his wounds!

They needed the power of Christ’s Peace (love, reassurance, well-being, “okeyness”) 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  would heal Thomas’ wounds of disbelief and 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 the healing truth, courage, unlimited mercy and inexhaustible love of Christ.  He touches wounds of love, unity; wounds that would empower communion and the sharing and the preaching of the early Christian Community.

We are told in Acts of the Apostle,

“All who believed were together… (as we are today in this church) they devoted themselves to teaching of the apostles and to the communal life (konoinia), breaking of bread and praying together….” (Acts 2:42-47).

Moreover, “They were of one heart and mind and no one claimed that any of 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).

You want to see what unity and the power of togetherness can offer, as individual, families, Church, religious/seminary communities and even as a nation

Their witnesses and togetherness were blessed with the spirit of sharing, faith, 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 Thomas, Mary Magdalene, Peter, Cleopas, and the Eleven Disciples we all do have moments of doubt, uncertainties, confusions, disbelief, hopeless and frustrations.  Conscious of those moments we are invited today to deep our hands into those wounds of Christ!  And be faith- filled, healed and strengthen by Christ our wounded healer! 

The Eucharist we shall soon move up to celebrates provides us a fitting opportunity to deep our fingers into the wounds of Christ.  As we come up today to receive, May we be strengthen with mercy, love (1 John 5:1-6), hope (1 Pet 1:3-9), faith and unity to say with Thomas “my Lord and My God.” 

Also 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 evangelization and transmission of faith in the Risen Christ.

Reflection Questions

1.    What prevents us from believing?

2.    When we believe finally like Thomas, do we invite our neighbors to do same?

3.    How often do we allow ourselves, and families to act as agents and channels of evangelization, including agents of divine mercy?

Rejoice Christ is Risen!;Homily Easter Sunday Year ABC: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

Rejoice Christ is Risen!
Homily Easter Sunday Year ABC:  Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo

·       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

·        John 20:1-9

My dear friends in Christ, Psalm 118 sets the tone for today’s celebration. This poet invites you and me to ‘Give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever” (Ps 118:1). We are invited to shout Alleluia, 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 cheeks. What a great joyful Easter Day!

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   the resurrection has a transforming effect on every believer from darkness to light, from despair to hope, and sadness to joy.

Of course that 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 seeming 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 gathering here today, 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 even to handle some of the difficult doubts we may we face in life.

 Resurrection is a fact, not a fiction. Remember, there are several witnesses and testimonies to this truth beyond the scope of this liturgy.  St. Paul in 1 Corinthian 15:3-8 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), in the house of Cornelius , 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 like the earlier Apostles are reassured and commissioned to preach about Christ constant refreshment and nourishment of us, 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 also testified to the Resurrection of Christ and his appearances. Sometimes walks with them, and in other occasion he eats fish with the disciples.  It is also important to remember that the truth recorded in these Gospels was 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” the “VICTORY”  and the transforming truth and power of the Resurrection.

 In all the gospel including the text of John 20:1-9 just read,  we share the  story of 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 of Christ, setting the tone for our personal reflection on how we react faithfully 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, but ironically setting the stage for faith. 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 searched for Jesus, but was attached to Jesus. Remember this Jesus that Mary is searching 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 it to sainthood, Saint Peter!

 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 our faith be strengthened by the transforming power of Christ's Resurrection and be reassured that suffering, illness, violence, failures and even death is never our destination. Rather, good health, success, peace, reconciliation, joy of Easter and eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Reflection Question:

1.    What is the meaning of Easter for you?

2.    Mary, Peter, Paul and others reacted giftedly and differently to the Messiah’s resurrection. What is your faith and personal reaction to this good news?

3.    In what ways have you assisted members of your faith communities to joyfully believe, live and confess the Resurrection!

Joy and Newness in our Risen Lord and Savior!;Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil Year ABC). Fr. Michael Udoekpo

Joy and Newness in our Risen Lord and Savior!

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil Year ABC). Fr. Michael Udoekpo

 ·      (1)Gen1:1–2:2 or 1:1,26-31a; Ps 104:1-2,5-6,10-14,24,35or Ps 33:4-7,12-13,20-22;

·         (2) Gen 22:1-18 or22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18; Ps 16:5,8,9-11
·         (3) Exod 14:15–15:1; Ps Exod 15:1-6,17-18;
·         (4) Isa 54:5-14;Ps 30:2,4-6,11-13;
·         (5) Isa55:1-11; Ps 12:2-3,4-6;
·         (6) Bar 3:9-15,32–4:4; Ps 19:8-11;
·         (7) Ezek 36:16-17a, 18-28;Ps[a] 42:3,5;43:3-4;[b] Isa 12:2-3,4bcd,5-6[c]Ps 51:12-13,14-15,18-19;
·         (8) Rom 6:3-11; Ps 118:1-2,16-17,22-23;
·         (9)Gospel [Year a] Matt 28:1-10; [Year b] Mark 16:1-7; [Year c] Luke 24:1-12.

On this night of the Easter Vigil we gather as a Church of men and women, young and old, saints and sinners at the tomb of Christ in prayer, awaiting his resurrection. Tonight’s gathering may be long, but joyful with 4 levels of beautiful liturgies. Level one celebrates with exulting hymn and lighted candles the joy of Christ as the Light and Savior of the world (soter tou cosmou), the source of every good things we have, health, jobs, and our families. It rejects the darkness of sin, evil, hatred, racism, selfishness, and dysfunctional socio-economic and political structures; hopelessness, secularism, and even terrorism as currently been experienced by our brothers and sisters in all over the world today!

 Level two is the Word of God with nine readings, seven from the OT and two from the NT. Levels three and four come after this homily. They are the baptism or renewal of our baptismal promises and the liturgy of the Eucharist.

The central event of this 4 levels of liturgical vigil is the joy of Christ’s resurrection rooted in the story of salvation discovered in the various readings heard tonight. They are the stories of our relationship with God.

 In Genesis creation stories and in the psalms God creates lovingly, he orders, he gives names, he shows mercy, he is kind, and he also forgives. In spite of the “brokennesses” of our first parents, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and his generation God calls and establishes a covenant with Abraham, who is also willing to sacrifice, go through trials and  give back to God all that God had given him, including his only son Isaac (Gen 22:1-18). This is Israel’s story!

Israel’s story is our story. In this story our lives belongs to God, who can write on a crooked line! While in the Egyptian exile he hardens Pharaoh’s heart and sees Israel through the wilderness and the sea of reed (Exodus 14–15). God is Israel’s divine warrior and redeemer! In the Babylonian exile he stood by them as expressed in the prophecies of Isaiah, Baruch and Ezekiel tonight.

What Prophets Isaiah, Baruch, and Ezekiel foretold– life, hope, freedom, salvation, new life- has been  fulfilled tonight in the resurrection of Christ– witnessed by Paul in Roman 6:3-11. Paul says, “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ (as will be done tonight) were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.”

The experience of the empty tomb must have been refreshing and amazing to those women- Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James and to others who accompanied them. It must have been amazing to Peter and the rest of the eleven. An amazing God! With the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, everything is possible! Creation is possible. The orderliness of creation is possible. The hardening of pharaoh’s heart is possible. The Crossing of the red sea without been hurt is possible. Raising Jesus from the tomb is possible. Healing is possible! Success in life is possible! Passing that examination is possible. True reconciliation is possible! Transformation is possible! Good socio-political structure is possible! Reaching out to the poor, the aged, and the needy more than before is possible! Justice is possible!

As we gather around Christ’s empty tomb tonight may we be reassured of the hope, the transformation, and the new life that the resurrection of Christ brings us.  May we be reassured of his presence in our homes, families, churches, offices, journeys, and work places?  As we pray for our brothers and sisters, victims of terrorism, fire, and other tragedies around the globe, may we continue to trust in his protective care? May we as baptized and believers be joyful and be reassured of eternal life in heaven after our pilgrimage here on earth!

Reflection Questions;

1.    What is the meaning of Easter for you!

2.    In light of today’s 9 readings, do you feel reassured that the Lord of history revealed in the Risen Christ Lord is with you always!

3.    What effort have you made to catechize, to share this joy, the joy of the empty tomb with others, especially those plagued with despair, betrayals, sorrow of violent, unforgiving-spirit, corruption, religious extremism and threats of war?

The Mystery of God's Redemptive Suffering (Good Friday);Homily Good Friday of the Holy Week (Good Friday Year ABC)

The Mystery of God's Redemptive Suffering (Good Friday)

Homily Good Friday of the Holy Week (Good Friday Year ABC)

·         Isa 52: 13–53:12;
·          Ps 31:2,6,12-13,15-16,17,25;
·         Heb 4:14-16;5:7-9;
·         John18:1–19:42

 Today is the second day of the Sacred Triduum, begun yesterday! Today’s liturgy rooted in scriptures, invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ's redemptive passion, death and resurrection.

 Mysteries and ironies, of course, surround every section of today’s liturgy- that only faith can fully explain. On a day like this one may legitimately ask: What makes today Good Friday when the Stations of the Cross has just been re-enacted? What is good about the symbolic red vestments priests and deacons, wear today, at the beginning of the liturgy? What is good about the altars left completely bare, without crosses, candles and without fanciful altar cloths? What is good that the Holy Mass, sacraments are not celebrated today, except for penance and anointing of the sick– and many more other questions that you may want to raise? 

Answers to these questions are not single dimensional. The meaning of “Good Friday” may be found when we deeply and faithfully meditate on the crosses we shall soon venerate. Its meaning may be revealed through our meditation on the Stations of the Cross re-enacted across the global church. 

That Good Friday is redemptive and salvific is more revealing in the passages of today’s Scripture Readings, beginning with Isaiah’s 4^th Song of the suffering servant of God (Isa 52:13–53:12)-- Ebed YHWH. Written several hundreds of years before the birth Christ to console, comfort and give hope to those exiled in Babylon. Isaiah says,

“He was spurned and avoided by people, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom people hide their faces, spurned and we held him in no esteem. Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed… he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses”( Isa 53:4-12).

Christians relate this image of the Ebed YHWH to Christ crucified on Good Friday! The writer of the 2nd reading, the Letter to the Hebrews must have been a Christian, familiar not only with the passages from Isaiah, but also was familiar with the Christ’s suffering, but whose aim was to reveals the salvific nature Good Friday when it says, “In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was he learned obedience from what he suffered, and when he was made perfect, he became source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”

Today’s Friday is ironically good because without it there would have been no resurrection, and no salvation. This irony, this mystery is also evident throughout that long passion narrative read from the gospel of John (John 18:1–19:42). Throughout the Johannine Passion, Jesus “yet” is control.  He gives Judas Iscariot instruction to do quickly what he is about to do (John 18:2). In the garden of the Kidron Valley, Jesus asks whom they were looking for. As soon as he declared himself- the “I AM”, they all felt helplessly to the ground.  Here lies the Good Friday?

In all, the Jesus of John is the Son of Man that came down from heaven to whom the Father has turned over judgment.  When he is interrogated by the high priests, Jesus turns back the interrogation: “Why do you question me?” He makes it clear to Pilate that he has no authority over him. In this ironic trials of Jesus, Pilates is nervous and shuttles back and forth between the Jews outside the Praetorium while ironically Jesus remains in the Praetorium.  The shuttling and indifferent Pilates finds no guilt in the innocent and steady Jesus, yet he had him scourged innocently. Yet Pilate lacks the courage to speak the truth. In John, only Christ is the truth, the life and the way!

In that passion read, Jesus dies kingly and triumphantly in John “bowing his head he handed over his spirit.”  On top of the cross, his title- “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews,” is universally written in three languages (Hebrew, Greek and Latin). It is a universal Good Friday! A Friday that saves the world? Even though his garments are divided as foretold, his priestly tunic, the alb is intact, a priest forever! As long foretold, that on being lifted up he would draw many to himself(John 12:32), on the foot of the cross, came the fulfilment (tetelestai): Mary his mother, the sister, wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene, the disciple whom he love,  Roman soldiers, Jews, Gentiles,  and secrete believers like Nichodemus, Joseph of Arimathea  were all there! Jesus is also given a kingly burial and laid in a garden!

This is the mysterious narrative that has really made Good Friday, good and redemptive. Today the victim has become the conqueror!  As Pope Francis, and his many predecessors have, repeatedly emphasized, it is a gospel of suffering endurance for all who have in the course of history been persecuted and abused by those who are politically, socially, religiously and economically powerful; those plagued by diseases, natural tragedies, man-made violent structures, abuse of guns, ISIS, BOKO Haram, religious extremists, poverty, ignorance, but who realize that God is with them, and that the power of the oppressors are temporary.

May we on this Good Friday (2016,……. 2019,…..), continue to contemplate the mystery of the redemptive suffering of Christ, remembering to bear our suffering patiently, as well as pray for our brothers and sisters, who are victims of all kinds of attacks and tragedies (Notre Dame Cathedral inflame, etc)! And may we together continue to build God’s kingdom through our lives of faithful witness to the Cross and so help bring our neighbors to Christ with whom we shall one day share eternal life in heaven!

Reflection Questions:

1.    In the light of Good Friday’s liturgy what are the areas of our sufferings, false attacks and persecutions, worthy of offering it to the Lord?

2.    Do we believe in the hiddenness of salvation in the Cross?

3.    How do we assist others to bear their daily crosses with hope and trust in the Redeemer’s Assistance?