With thanks to Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUkih7rg9RI
Monday, November 17, 2025
Saturday, November 1, 2025
THE CHRIST
Acts 17:3
Image "Jesus, the Son of God" courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle
SHEPHERDS
'Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own Blood.'
Acts 20:28
Image "Lord Jesus leads His shepherds" courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle
CHRIST EMBRACES THE CROSS TO SAVE US FROM OUR SINS
Photograph by Catherine Nicolette. With thanks to the Stations of the Cross artist
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS: THE FIFTH WORD: JESUS, KNOWING THAT ALL HAD NOW BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, SAID, "I THIRST"
“I Thirst” – The Cry of Divine Love
Scripture Reading: John 19:28
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now accomplished, said (to fulfil the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’”
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As we journey through the seven last words of Our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, we now pause before a short but deeply stirring cry: "I thirst."
At first glance, these two words seem so simple, so human. And indeed, they are. Jesus is physically parched: bleeding, suffering, hanging between heaven and earth. The sun scorches His bruised body. His mouth is dry, His throat burning. In this moment, He reveals to us His true humanity. He is not a distant God, but one who feels pain as we do. He thirsts, just as we thirst.
But dear friends, let us not stop at the surface. This thirst is not only of the body, it is of the soul. Jesus is thirsting not only for water, but for souls. He thirsts for you. He thirsts for me. This is the thirst of Divine Love that will not rest until all are gathered into the Father’s arms. In this holy hour of His passion, Jesus is expressing the deepest longing of the heart of God: for communion with His children.
The Psalmist had foretold this moment: “They gave me vinegar for my thirst” (Psalm 69:21). Even in His suffering, Jesus fulfils every prophecy. But the greater thirst remains: not quenched by posca*, not satisfied by any earthly drink, but only by the salvation of the world.
“I thirst,” He says: and Heaven weeps. The angels hear the Creator’s cry. The One Who made the oceans, Who gave rivers their course, now speaks these words: not from power, but from utter love and total surrender.
And what does this word invite from us?
-
A response of love: Jesus thirsts for us: do we thirst for Him? Do our hearts long for Him in prayer, in worship, in acts of mercy? Or have we grown spiritually dry, offering Him vinegar instead of the water of love and obedience?
-
A call to compassion: Our Lord identified Himself with the least among us: “I was thirsty and you gave me drink…” (Matthew 25:35). When we serve the poor, the sick, the lonely, we are offering drink to Christ Himself. His thirst is echoed in every cry for help we hear.
-
A surrender to grace: “I thirst” reminds us that Jesus’ passion was not only about suffering: it was about fulfilling love’s mission. He held nothing back. Will we hold anything back from Him?
Saint Mother Teresa wrote, “Jesus is God, therefore His love and His thirst are infinite. . . He has thirst for our love.” Let these words awaken your soul. Jesus is not ashamed to cry out for you. He thirsts for your love, your heart, your yes to His call.
As we reflect on this fifth word, may we remember: it is not only a word of pain, but a word of purpose. It is a love so Divine that even in agony, Jesus reaches out to us.
Let us then offer Him our lives, our hearts, and our love. Let us go to Him with open hands and say, “Lord, I thirst for You too.”
Amen.
* Posca: was the wine vinegar of Roman soldiers at the time
Image with thanks to sdb.inc.org
With thanks to youtube
Saturday, May 10, 2025
PRAYER FOR THE HEALING OF OUR NATIONS
ALMIGHTY GOD, our Rock and our Salvation, we beg you
to pour our Your Holy Spirit upon our fractured nations.
Heal the divisions that separate us and
remove all obstacles to authentic unity.
May you guide these great countries of ours and lead our citizens
to embrace one another as neighbours and fellow countryfolk,
created in Your Own Image and Likeness.
Give us fresh opportunities for renewal and true solidarity
for the common good of our homelands.
May we return to our true identity as peoples of faith and charity.
Help us always to remain One Under God,
Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
Amen.
Paraphrased on the great prayer by Pedro de la Cruz
Image courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle
Thursday, May 8, 2025
SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS: THE FOURTH WORD - FORSAKEN, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
This is one of the most
emotionally powerful cries in all of Scripture: “My
God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). The
anguished cry captures the mystery of Divine abandonment and human suffering,
and opens the door to profound truths about God's Presence in our pain.
Matthew 27:46
“And about the ninth hour Jesus
cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, “My
God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?”
Jesus cried out with a loud voice
On the cross, as the sky grew
dark and the earth trembled, Jesus - God in flesh - cried out with a voice that has
echoed through the ages: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
It is a haunting question. One
that shocks us. Confuses us. Even troubles us.
How could the Son of God feel
abandoned by His Father? How could Jesus - Who was sinless, perfect, and One with
the Father - experience forsakenness? He felt deserted, abandoned, completely left alone.
And yet, in this cry, we discover
not weakness, but incredible strength. Not hopelessness, but deep
identification with human suffering. Not despair, but the doorway to
redemption.
Today, I want to walk with you
into this sacred mystery. Because in this moment of Divine silence, there is a
message of hope for every one of us who has ever felt abandoned, unheard, or
forgotten.
The cry of humanity
Jesus was quoting the opening
line of Psalm 22: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
This is not just a cry of
Jesus: it is the cry of every human heart at some point in life.
Have you ever felt like God was
silent? Have you ever prayed and heard nothing in return?
Have you ever looked at your situation and thought, “Where is God in all
this?”
In this moment, Jesus enters into
our deepest pain. He does not just carry our sins: He carries our sorrow, our
confusion, our isolation.
Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we
do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses…”
On the cross, Jesus took on the
full weight of human suffering. Not just the physical agony, but the emotional
and spiritual torment of feeling forsaken. The agony of utter depression, in the valley of death.
The weight of sin and separation
Why would the Father turn His
face away?
Jesus was not forsaken because He
had sinned. He was forsaken because He became sin for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made
Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the
righteousness of God.”
In that moment, Jesus bore the
full weight of every sin, every shame, every failure: mine and yours. And the
holy Justice of God was poured out, not on sinners, but on the Saviour who stood
in our place.
This was not Divine rejection: it
was Divine substitution.
Jesus was momentarily separated
so we could be eternally accepted. He was forsaken so we could be forgiven. He
endured the silence of Heaven so that we would never have to.
Faith that endures the silence
Notice something powerful: even
in His cry of abandonment, Jesus still says, “My God, My God.”
It is the cry of one who
still believes.
It’s not, “God, if You exist.”
It’s not, “I’m done with You.” It’s “My God.”
This is a faith that holds
on, even when it hurts. Even when Heaven is silent. Especially when Heaven appears to be silent. Even when nothing makes
sense.
Sometimes, our greatest act of
faith is not shouting in victory: it is whispering, “My God,” through tears.
Job said, “Though He slay me,
yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15)
Jesus teaches us how to suffer
with faith. How to grieve with hope. How to cry out without letting go.
A psalm of victory in disguise
Remember that Psalm 22 begins with
abandonment, but it does not end there.
If you read through the rest of
the Psalm, you’ll find it turns into a song of victory, of deliverance, of
praise:
“You have answered Me.”
(Psalm 22:21) “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the
Lord.” (Psalm 22:27)
Jesus was not just quoting a cry
of pain, He was declaring the fulfilment of prophecy. The Saviour was pointing
to the full picture. Yes, Jesus was suffering: however, He knew it was not the end.
The cross is not the final word.
The empty tomb is. The journey carrying our cross is merely our path: the resurrection into Heaven is the final answer.
In your life, pain may speak harshly,
but does not have the last word. God always has a resurrection plan.
Because He was forsaken, we never will be
If you forget everything else,
remember this:
Jesus was forsaken for a
moment so you could be embraced forever.
Because of what Jesus did on the
cross, we are never alone, even when we feel like we are.
Hebrews 13:5: “I will never
leave you nor forsake you.”
When you walk through fire, He is
with you. When you pass through the waters, He goes before you. When the world
walks out, Jesus stays.
You may feel forgotten, but you
are held. You may feel abandoned, but you are seen.
You may feel broken: but in Christ, you are being made whole.
What the Cross teaches us in
the dark night of the soul
Jesus’ cry reminds us that:
- It’s important to question in the dark
- Faith does not mean the absence of pain
- God can handle your “why”
- The darkness is not always the absence of light. It may be the path to light.
But it also teaches us:
- Even in your lowest moment, God is still your God
- What looks like abandonment may be the path to resurrection
- The silence of God is not the absence of God.
Call to action:
Are you in a season where God
feels silent? Do you feel like your prayers are going unanswered? Are you
wrestling with your own “Why, God?”
You’re not alone. Jesus walked
that road too: remember that He walked it for you.
Hold on to “My God.” Trust
in the dark what He showed you in the light. The same Jesus who cried from the
cross now speaks from the throne: “I am with you always.”
Closing prayer:
“Lord Jesus, Thank You for
entering into our pain, our questions, and our suffering. Thank You for not
turning away from the cross, but walking through the valley of abandonment so
we might never have to. Strengthen our hearts when we feel forsaken. Remind us
of Your unfailing presence, even in the silence. And help us to hold fast to
You with the same faith You showed on the cross.
In Your powerful Name we pray,
Amen.”
Image with thanks to sdbinc.org
With thanks to youtube
THE SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS: THE THIRD WORD, A NEW FAMILY BORN IN LOVE
This is a powerful and deeply
moving moment in the Gospel of John (John 19:26–27). When Jesus says, “Woman,
behold thy son... Son, behold thy mother,” the Saviour is not only
addressing Mary and John: He is making a profound statement about love,
spiritual family, and responsibility even in the midst of suffering.
Scripture: John 19:26–27
“When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He
loved standing nearby, He said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the
disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into
his home.”
Jesus forms a family
We often come to the cross to see
the suffering Saviour, the Lamb slain for the sins of the world. And rightly so.
But if we look closelY, we also see something deeply human and
heartbreakingly tender: Jesus, in His final moments, not just saving souls, but
forming a family.
In the middle of His agony, with
blood pouring from His wounds and every breath a struggle, Jesus pauses to
speak: not a word of wrath, not a theological treatise, but a word of love and
care: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.”
This moment is more than a
touching farewell. It is a holy commissioning. It’s a glimpse into the Heart of
God: a Heart that creates family not just by blood, but by faith and love.
Compassion in the Midst of Suffering
Imagine the scene: the sky is
darkening, the earth trembling, the crowd mocking, soldiers gambling. Jesus,
hanging on the cross, is bearing the full weight of sin. Yet His eyes find
Mary, His mother, standing there in sorrow. And beside her stands John, the
disciple whom He loved.
Jesus does not turn inward in His
pain. He looks outward in love. He sees her grief, her vulnerability. And He
cares.
This is Who Jesus is. He
is never too burdened to care. He is never too wounded to love. In the most
painful moment of His life, He tends to the needs of another.
“Cast all your cares on Him,
for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
If Jesus could care for Mary from
the cross, He can surely care for us in our darkest hour. When we feel
forgotten or overwhelmed, remember this moment: Jesus sees you, even in the
crowd, even in the difficulties.
A New Family is Born at the Cross
What Jesus does next is not just
personal—it is profoundly theological.
He turns to Mary and says,
“Woman, behold your son.” He turns to John and says, “Behold your mother.”
In doing this, Jesus is not
simply ensuring Mary is cared for. He is establishing a new kind of family: a
spiritual family, birthed not from biology, but from the shared bond of Christ.
This is the beginning of the
church. At the foot of the cross, strangers become family. The old
boundaries of tribe, bloodline and status, are replaced by something deeper: love born
of sacrifice.
Jesus had once said, “Whoever
does the Will of My Father in Heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Matthew 12:50)
Now, in His final hours, Christ lives
out that truth.
John, the beloved disciple,
becomes a son to Mary. Mary, the mother of Jesus, becomes a mother to John. Through them, we learn that the cross doesn’t just reconcile us to God: it
reconciles us to each other.
A call to love and responsibility
There is a very practical lesson
here. Jesus did not ignore His responsibilities. He did not consider Himself
above them. Jesus honoured His mother, even in death.
In a world that often praises
independence and self-preservation, Jesus shows us the holiness of
responsibility. He shows us that true discipleship is not only about how we
pray, but how we care for those God has placed in our lives.
John responds with quiet
obedience. “From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” No
debate. No delay. Just faithful response.
What about us?
- Are
we honouring the relationships God has given us?
- Are
we caring for the hurting, the lonely, the forgotten in our midst?
- Are we willing to step into family roles that God calls us to, even if they are not comfortable or conventional? Especially if they are not comfortable or conventional?
Mary’s Silent Strength and John’s Quiet Obedience
Mary stands by the cross - not fleeing, but standing. She simply stays. This
is a mother’s strength. Silent, steady, suffering.
And John - young, once brash and
ambitious - now is the only disciple left at the foot of the Cross. John has grown. He has stayed. He is
ready to receive this sacred commission.
Their presence at the cross
mattered. Love shows up. Love stays. Love takes responsibility.
What we learn from Mary and John
is that the cross not only redeems, it assigns. It gives us new roles. New
people to love. New commitments to honour.
What the Cross still teaches us today
“Woman, behold your son. Son,
behold your mother.” These words echo through time, inviting us to be more than
believers—to be family.
In Christ, we are called into a new way of living. A way
that sees the hurting, that embraces the lonely, that builds bridges between
the unlikely.
At the cross, Jesus didn’t just say, “It is finished.”
He also said, “It begins.”
A new kind of family. A love that endures suffering. A
responsibility born of grace.
Call to Action:
Today, let us ask ourselves:
- Who
is God asking us to “behold” with new eyes?
- Who
needs to be brought into the warmth of family?
- How
can we honour Christ by honouring one another?
May we leave the foot of the cross not only forgiven, but
transformed.
Closing Prayer:
"Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the cross where justice met mercy, and where love formed a new
family. Help us to live in that love. Give us eyes to see the hurting, hands
willing to serve, and hearts open to embrace those You place in our lives. May
we, like John, receive Your call with quiet obedience. May we, like Mary, stand
with strength even in sorrow. And may we, like Jesus, love until the very end.
In His Holy Name, Amen."
Image with thanks to sdbinc.org
With thanks to youtube
Sunday, April 20, 2025
THE SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS: THE SECOND WORD, PARADISE
The seven words of Christ on the cross each have a powerful and deeply meaningful message to share. Each of those seven words holds such rich spiritual depth and speak of different aspects of Christ's love, suffering, mission and triumph. The second word of Christ from the cross - "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43) - is deeply powerful, full of hope and grace.
The Promise of Paradise: Grace at the Cross
Scripture: Luke 23:39–43
"Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" From a place of pain, Jesus gives a promise of peace. Amidst suffering, He extends salvation. On the cross - between two criminals - Christ reveals the heart of the gospel: grace, freely given.
This second word, spoken to the penitent thief, reminds us that no one is too far gone, no moment is too late, and no sin too great for God’s mercy.
1. A Picture of Repentance and Faith
In his agony and fear, one thief mocks Jesus, but the other turns towards the Master. The latter doesn't offer excuses; he acknowledges his guilt. He sees in Jesus not a dying man, but a coming King. The condemned sufferer asks, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (v. 42)
His request is simple, sincere, and rooted in faith. True faith doesn’t require a perfect past, just a surrendered heart. How often do we feel unworthy of grace? But the thief shows us that mercy isn't earned: mercy is received.
2. A Promise of Immediate Grace
Jesus answers the condemned man, "Today you will be with Me . . . "
Jesus doesn't delay the promise. He doesn't say "maybe" or "someday": the Saviour says today. This is the power of grace: it is not postponed. Grace meets us at the moment we turn to Jesus.
You don't have to wait for heaven to start walking in God's peace. Eternal life begins the moment we say yes to Christ.
3. A Promise of Paradise
“...with Me in paradise.”
The word "paradise" evokes peace, joy, restoration; Eden regained. But the real treasure is not just the place; it is the Presence: "with Me." Jesus' promise was not just about location. His promise is about relationship. The greatest gift of heaven is Jesus Himself.
Our deepest longing is not just for a better place. Our longing is for deeper Presence. To be with Christ is the ultimate paradise.
Grace on the Cross
This second word from the cross shows us:
-
The power of repentance
-
The immediacy of salvation
-
The hope of eternity
If God can promise paradise to a dying thief, how confident we are that His mercy is available to us.
Are you carrying shame, regret, or doubt? Look to the cross. Listen to the voice of Jesus saying, "Today... with me... in paradise." There is still time. There is still grace. And paradise awaits.
Perhaps the Prayer Chapel of Repentance may bring you comfort at the following link;
https://churchinterfaith.blogspot.com/2017/03/prayer-chapel-of-repentance.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz8_ZtGIIMs
Image with thanks to sdbinc.org
With thanks to youtube
THE SEVEN WORDS ON THE CROSS: THE FIRST WORD, FORGIVENESS
The seven words of Christ on the cross each have a powerful and deeply meaningful message to share. Each of those seven words holds such rich spiritual depth and speak of different aspects of Christ’s love, suffering, mission, and triumph.
The first word, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), is a deep well of grace and compassion. The first word sets the tone for the rest of the seven last words.
The First Word – Forgiveness
Scripture: Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Beloved, as we gather at the foot of the cross, we hear Jesus speak - not words of anger, not cries of vengeance, not bitterness or blame - but a prayer of forgiveness. In the very moment of His greatest suffering, Jesus looks upon those who have pierced His hands, mocked His name, and sentenced Him unjustly, and He says, "Father, forgive them."
Let that sink in.
In agony, Jesus teaches us the greatest lesson of love: forgiveness in the face of pain.
It is easy to forgive when the offense is small, when the wound is shallow. But here, Jesus shows us a divine kind of forgiveness; the kind that reaches out while the nails are still fresh in His hands, while the insults are still echoing in His ears. The Son of God forgives in the midst of the hurt.
And He doesn't just forgive them: He forgives us.
We are all part of the crowd at the cross. Every sin, every moment we turned away, every time we chose self over sacrifice: Jesus saw it all. Yet still, He said, "Father, forgive."
That is the power of the cross.
Forgiveness is not about forgetting the pain, it is about choosing grace over grievance, mercy over memory, and healing over hate. Jesus calls us not just to receive His forgiveness but to live it out.
Who do you need to forgive today?
What wounds are you still carrying that Christ already carried for you?
Let the first word of Jesus be your first step towards peace, toward healing, toward new life.
Because the cross is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of forgiveness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpybVLLG_N0Image with thanks to sdbinc.org
With thanks to youtube
JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN, HALLELUJAH! EASTER SERVICE
JESUS CHRIST IS RISEN! HALLELUJAH! LET THE MOUNTAINS RING OUT WITH JOY. THE SON OF GOD HAS OVERCOME DEATH AND EMBRACED RISEN LIFE.
WE TOO SHALL RISE! HALLELUJAH!
If you are unable to attend Mass due to ill health, essential care services or other reasons, follow this Mass and receive our Risen Saviour spiritually in your heart.
Low in the grave He lay
1. Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2. Vainly they watched His bed -
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead -
Jesus, my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
3. Death cannot keep his prey -
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away -
Jesus, my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Remember that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Light a candle to remind yourself of this glorious fact. If you have no candle, or are unable to do so, why then, light the love of your heart for Him as your candle.
Priest; "The Easter Vigil begins in darkness. The darkness of the tomb is split open as the Light of the world resurrects and pours life-giving light to the whole world.
O God, grant that our hearts may be purified by your beloved Son Jesus Christ.
We offer You our love and praise in honour of so glorious a gift to our world,
Amen."
Let the light of your candle illumine the darkness of your room or house.
Think of all the wonderful things God had accomplished within your life. If you are depressed, ill, or in difficulty, ask God to help you open your heart to the healing that Jesus Christ brings.
THE LIGHT OF CHRIST
If you are in a family, let each family member light a candle from the first candle. In this way, we too are inspired by Jesus Christ, and pass His light and love on from one person to another. This is how we witness to His Light and love in dark situations in our world.
THE WORD OF OUR SALVATION HISTORY
God has pursued us, loved us, since the Fall. He never accepted humanity's rejection of Him and His Love. He continually tries to heal the breach between our human family and Himself.
Let us remember our spiritual history, and give thanks for His great mercy, love and deliverance.
EASTER VIGIL READINGS
THE CREATION
Genesis 1:1-2:2
Priest; "In the beginning God created the world and all in it. He first created man, and then created woman. Both were made equally in His Image and Likeness. Let us give praise for His great creation of ourselves as His human sons and daughters.
Congregation; "Amen."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:1-2:2
THE TEST OF ABRAHAM
Genesis 22:1-18
Priest; "God asked his beloved human son Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac. This horrendous sacrifice was reluctantly agreed to by Abraham.
This request seems harsh and difficult to understand. It is likely that God was using this request as an indication to us of the desperate situation of offering an only son as a sacrifice, in a way that humanity can understand.
In the Law of God, life is sacred. The Law of Moses orders 'Thou shalt not kill'.
Yet how many of our sons and daughters are still offered up today on the altar of sacrifice of war. How many offered up in the pursuit of honour and justice, at the detriment of that most basic of all justice - the right to their own lives?
In the final event God caused Abraham's hand to be stayed.
Yet God Himself has let us see in this event the horror of the request of what He Himself was prepared to do - many years later - in offering up His own Son to save us.
There was no one to stop the slaying hand as humanity leaned heavily upon the Christ. The innocent one was killed and we have been redeemed by His Blood. Let us give thanks for so great our God."
Congregation; "Amen."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022:1-18
THE ISRAELITES CROSS THE RED SEA
Exodus 14:15-15:1
Priest; "God saved his chosen people the Israelites from bondage in slavery.
He caused a great miracle, a reversal of the laws of nature, in order to allow downtrodden families to escape from servitude into freedom.
How many times has God saved us from the chains of our own sins?
How many times have we pleaded with God to save us in difficult situations, and been helped by seemingly inexplicable circumstances?
Every day is a miracle. Every night is a blessing. Every breath we take a marvel of flesh and blood and sinew and circulation and creation.
Let us thank the Lord our God for saving our forefathers from slavery.
Let us thank Him for the Jewish people who have given us Jesus our Messiah, Mary His beloved mother, Joseph His beloved foster father, the holy saints and disciples of our spiritual history."
Congregation; "Amen."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2014:15-15:1
GOD HAS FORGIVEN US: HE HAS TAKEN US BACK
Isaiah 54:5-14
Priest; "The holy prophet Isaiah foresaw great mysteries, and was close to the heart of God.
The pure spirit of this man was swirled in visions and portents, graciously shared with us.
Isaiah told us how the Lord our God saw humanity, crying and brokenhearted as the result of our own foolish actions.
We were as defenceless and forlorn as a young wife, brokenhearted and crying, because her beloved husband had divorced her.
Yet God has taken us back! What joy is ours.
Our Saviour Jesus Christ gave His own life as payment of the irredeemable debt we owed our Creator for the great sin of our forefathers. Let us rejoice this night, for indeed, it is holy!"
Congregation; "Amen."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+54:5-14
THE LORD'S INVITATION
Isaiah 55:1-11
Priest; "If you are thirsty, come and drink the water of divine life from Jesus Christ.
Partake freely from the table of communion of the Lord.
You do not need to pay anything to inherit divine life, eternity.
Just draw near to the God Whose thoughts are not our thoughts, Whose ways are not our ways.
'Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours,' says the Lord.
His purpose of our redemption will not be thwarted, even by our ancient enemy satan.
'Rain and snow fall from the sky, but they don't return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to it.'
That is how it is with the words of God.
His words produce effects; they produce fruit.
The word of God will produce eternal life in us.'
Congregation; "Amen."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2055:1-11
LET US COMMIT TO FOLLOWING GOD'S LAW
Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4:4
Priest; "Let us listen to the wisdom of the Lord our God, and follow His commandments.
Wisdom is found in the book of God's law and His teachings, and they will last forever.
Let us turn towards the wisdom of God and follow in His paths."
Congregation; "Amen."
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Baruch+3:9-15,3:32-4:4
LET US HONOUR THE LORD OUR GOD
Ezekiel 36:16-28
Priest; "Humanity has disgraced God's Holy Name among the holy nations in so many ways. Murder, infidelity, forms of horrific violence, wars, injustice, uncleanliness in thought and word and deed in so many ways.
Let us turn to the Lord our God, and submit our lives to Him.
Let us honour Him. Let us bow our stubborn hearts, bow our proud spirits, use our free will to allow God access into our lives in order to do His gracious work.
He has told us clearly, 'You have disgraced My Holy Name among the nations where you now live. So you don't deserve what I'm going to do for you. .. I will gather you from foreign nations and bring you home. I will sprinkle clean water over you and you will be clean and acceptable to Me. I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart. . . You will once again live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.' "
Congregation; "Amen."
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+36%3A16-28&version=ESV
LET US GLORIFY OUR GOD!
Romans 6:3-11
Priest; "All of us who share through baptism in the life of Jesus, also share His death.
When we were baptized, we died to the sin that was like an eviscerating bacteria within our spirits, and rose to a new and pure life.
None of this is easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is.
Let us turn to Jesus Christ, and ask Him to help us with this task, to lead us on the path to everlasting life.
Hail our Victorious Prince! Hail the King of Kings! Hail our Lord and Saviour! Hail our innocent Lamb of God!"
Congregation; "Hail!"
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%206:3-11
BAPTISM
If you have been baptized, here quietly renew your promises to Jesus to continue practising holiness in your life, and to be faithful to Him.
If you have been baptized, and fallen away from your faith, why then, just renew your baptismal promises and start all over again.
If you have never been baptized, why not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour?
He truly is the Son of God, and is waiting for you. Invite joy into your life and accept Him. Seek baptism.
Here is a chapel for accepting Jesus Christ into your life:
http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.ie/2016/06/how-to-receive-jesus-christ-as-your.html
LITANY OF SAINTS
Priest; "Let us thank God for the holy men and women who have gone before us, showing that it is possible to reach the holiness God desires for us. Let us remember our holy ones."
Congregation; "We remember you, our holy family in heaven."
http://churchinterfaith.blogspot.ie/2016/10/litany-of-saints.html
BLESSING OF THE WATER
[If you are not near a church, place some water into a bowl. Sprinkle a little salt in it, if you have - and ask the Lord God to bless the water and make it holy. Now you have your own holy water!
It is helpful to keep a small bottle of holy water in your own home, procured from church, a holy place of pilgrimage or holy well.
Holy water is used to bless ourselves and others, and to sanctify our home to God.]
The priest blesses the water, and sprinkles the congregation with it.
We remember that Jesus is the Water of Life and brings us to holiness through baptism.
WE NOW REJECT OUR ANCIENT ENEMY SATAN
Priest; "Do you reject sin, so as to live in the freedom of God's children?'
Congregation; "I do."
Priest; "Do you reject the glamour of evil, and refuse to be mastered by sin?"
Congregation; "I do."
Priest; "Do you reject satan, father of sin and prince of darkness?"
Congregation; "I do."
WORDS OF COMFORT
"In Italy there is a small chapel called the Longinus Chapel.
Here we remember the the soldier, in whose heart compassion was stirred as he looked upon the sufferings of the man he was called upon through the office of his career to kill.
Jesus had called down forgiveness and blessing upon those executing Him. Such forgiveness had powerful impact on Longinus.
As Jesus hung dying on the cross, the soldier tried to bring relief to his suffering by offering him relief from pain.
Longinus mixed the unsweet wine of the soldier with myrrh, a known pain reliever of severe joint and muscle pain, and offered it on the point of a spear to the suffering Jesus.
This soldier was, unknown to his employers, suffering from extremely poor eyesight. In fact, he was going blind.
Longinus began having doubts as to the wisdom of the execution as he witnessed the heaving of the ground in earthquake as Jesus was dying.
In a further mark of mercy, instead of breaking Jesus legs to hasten death, Longinus pierced the side of the Messiah to ensure He was dead.
Immediately, blood and gathered pleural fluid [which looks like water] rained down into the upraised face of Longinus.
According to long held tradition in the city which holds Longinus Chapel, the nearly blind soldier had his eyesight miraculously restored, and shouted out, 'This man truly was the Son of God'.
Longinus lost his job after the resurrection, because he witnessed to the resurrection of Jesus. He became a priest, and spent his life preaching the good news.
It is believed that Longinus was eventually martyred for his ministry.
Where does that leave us? This Easter let us realize that we, too, often suffer from spiritual blindness. We too need healing. We too need the forgiveness of Christ.
Let us turn to Jesus, our newly risen Lord and Master, and ask Him to heal us as generously as He healed Longinus.
Early on Saturday morning, a huge rock creaked open and a clinically dead man walked through. This is impossible in human terms.
In cosmic reality, the true resurrection of Jesus Christ is evidence of His claim to be the true Son of God.
Let us thank God for giving us His Son, and move forward in the true hope of the resurrection."
THE EUCHARIST
Priest; "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it.
He gave it to His disciples, saying; "Take all you, and eat. This is My Body, which is broken for you."
Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life."
Priest; "At the end of supper, Jesus took the cup. He gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take, all of you, and drink; this is My Blood of the new covenant, Which is shed for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of Me." '
Congregation; "Lord Jesus, You are the cup of life, the wine blessed for our salvation."
[Receive communion. If you are unable to attend Holy Mass, receive Jesus spiritually within your heart and soul now. Spend some time in prayer].
LORD'S PRAYER
Priest; "Let us now pray the Lord's prayer in the words Jesus gave us."
Priest and Congregation;
'Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
One earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen."
PRAYER AND BLESSING
Priest; "Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for sending us Your only Son, Jesus Christ.
We rejoice in His Resurrection. This night the tomb is robbed of death, and is empty!
There is Light in the midst of our darkness!
We have been fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism.
We have been given renewed life in the Eucharist, and receive life from Jesus our Lord.
We ask for Your blessing as we go forth to witness to the world the truth that JESUS CHRIST IS THE RISEN SON OF GOD!"
Congregation; "Amen. ALLELUIA!"
HYMN
Christ the Lord is Risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting! Alleluia!
Dying once, our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened Paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia!
With thanks to biblegateway.com, bible.oremus.org, biblestudytools.com, biblia.com and youtube
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