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—He 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—it’s 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" - He says today. This is the power of grace: it's not postponed. It 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 isn't just the place; it's the presence: "with Me." Jesus' promise wasn't just about location - it was about relationship. The greatest gift of heaven is Jesus Himself.
Our deepest longing isn't just for a better place - it's for a better 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;
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, and it 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. He 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’s about choosinggrace 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—toward peace, toward healing, toward new life.
Because the cross isn't the end of the story. It’s the beginning of forgiveness.
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 thewater 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 HolyName 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
TODAY IS EASTER. And more than just a holiday, more than just a date on the calendar — it is the day everything changed. Because on this day, death lost its sting, sin lost its grip, and the grave lost its claim. The Son of God walked a road marked by betrayal, suffering, and sacrifice — and He did it for one reason: to set you and me free. Not free in part, but fully free. Free from sin. Free from shame. Free from fear. Free from death.
The cross was not the end. The tomb wasn’t the final word. Because Jesus rose, and because He lives, you and I can live — truly live. Today, we walk with Him through that journey — from the shouts of ‘Hosanna’ to the cry of ‘It is finished,’ all the way to the empty tomb — and we remember what it cost to set us free.
Timeline to Easter
Jesus followed a timeline to Easter:
- From Palm Sunday
- Through the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday
- To the agony of obedience in the Garden of Gethsemane
- Followed by the humiliation of trial, imprisonment and torture
- Culminating in the agony of crucifixion and death
- Proceeding to the victorious emptying of satan's kingdom of all encaptured souls
- after which the glorious resurrection took place
From the Cross to the Commission: A Journey of Love, Surrender, and Victory
This week, we have walked a sacred path — one paved with palm branches and thorns, with tears and triumph. This journey is not just the story of Jesus — it is the story of our redemption. Each step He took was for love. Every moment was for us. Let us walk this path together and be reminded: We are not just forgiven. We are transformed. We are not just saved from something — we are saved for something.
Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1–11)
Jesus enters Jerusalem not on a warhorse, but on a donkey — fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The crowd shouts, “Hosanna!” They see a King — and He is a King — but not the kind they expected.
Even in glory, Jesus was riding toward sacrifice. He knew what lay ahead. He knew the cheers would turn to jeers. But He kept riding — for you. For me. True courage is not avoiding the cross, but walking toward it in love.
The Last Supper – A New Covenant (Luke 22:14–20)
Around the table, Jesus broke bread and poured wine — and consecrated them into His body and blood. He speaks of a newcovenant — not one of law and ritual, but of grace and relationship.
Jesus did not run from the cross; He embraced it. He offered Himself willingly. This meal was more than tradition — it was a declaration: “You are worth the price I’m about to pay.”
Gethsemane – The Agony of Obedience (Matthew 26:36–46)
In the quiet of the garden, Jesus fell to His knees. The weight of the world was crushing, but He did not run. He wrestled. He wept. And then — He surrendered: “Not My will, but Yours be done.”
Freedom was not won on the battlefield. It was won in a garden, where love said “yes” to suffering so that we could say “yes” to life. Obedience cost Him everything — and it gave us everything.
The Cross – Love’s Ultimate Price (Luke 23:33–46)
Nailed to a tree, between two criminals, Jesus hangs — not defeated, but victorious. He speaks forgiveness. He offers paradise. And with His final breath, He declares: “It is finished.”
Inspiration:
The cross wasn’t the end — it was the turning point. Our sin was nailed there. Our shame was silenced. The veil was torn — heaven’s doors flung wide open. Love paid the ultimate price, and we are the reward.
The Resurrection – Victory Over Death (Matthew 28:1–10
Three days later, the is rolled away. The tomb is empty. The grave could not hold Him. Death is defeated. Jesus is alive!
This is more than a comeback - it is a new creation. We are not just forgiven - we are made new. The resurrection is not just an event in history - it is a promise for eternity. And it lives in us.
The Commission – Go and Tell (Matthew 28:18–20)
With nail-scarred hands, Jesus sends His followers: “Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. And remember — I am with you always.”
We are not just saved from sin — we are saved for purpose. You carry the light now. You carry the message. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. So go — and change the world.
As we remember this sacred journey — from the gates of Jerusalem to an empty tomb — may we not just stand in awe. May we walk with purpose.
May we live as if the cross matters.
May we love as if the tomb is empty, and Love in the Form of Jesus Christ walks the world.
And may we go as if the commission is ours — because it is.
O ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign to cast upon me a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence, to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory, and bless you in eternity. Amen.
If you wish to pray before the holy Grotto in this holy prayer chapel, click in the following link:
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humour to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good and that doesn't frighten easily at the sight of evil, but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called "I".
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humour. Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy, and to be able to share it with others.
Amen.
Image 'Prayer to Christ' courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle
Father God, You willed that Mary be at the foot of the cross, sharing in the sacrifice of Your Son.
Grant that through her intercession, we may bear within ourselves, the Image of Christ crucified and risen, and have untiring charity for the good of our brothers and sisters, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
Image 'Mater Dolorosa' courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle
