Month: April 2015

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(Usus Antiquior) Easter Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 5 April 2015 : Holy Gospel

Liturgical Colour : White

Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Marcum – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark

Mark 16 : 1-7

In illo tempore : Maria Magdalene et Maria Jacobi et Salome emerunt aromata, ut venientes ungerent Jesum. Et valde mane una sabbatorum, veniunt ad monumentum, orto jam sole. Et dicebant ad invicem : Quis revolvet nobis lapidem ab ostio monumenti? Et respicientes viderunt revolutum lapidem. Erat quippe magnus valde.

Et introeuntes in monumentum viderunt juvenem sedentem in dextris, coopertum stola candida, et obstupuerunt. Qui dicit illis : Nolite expavescere : Jesum quaeritis Nazarenum, crucifixum : surrexit, non est hic, ecce locus, ubi posuerunt eum. Sed ite, dicite discipulis ejus et Petro, quia praecedit vos in Galilaeam : ibi eum videbitis, sicut dixit vobis.


English translation

At that time, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James and Salome brought sweet spices, that they might use to anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning of the first day of the week, they came to the sepulchre, the sun having risen, and they said to one another, “Who shall roll back the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” And looking upon it, they saw that the stone had been rolled back, for it was very great.

And as they entered into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe, and they were astonished. He said to them, “Do not be afraid, you who seek Jesus of Nazareth, He who was crucified. He is risen, He is not here, behold the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, that He had gone before you into Galilee, and there you shall see Him, as He had told you.”

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(Usus Antiquior) Easter Sunday (I Classis) – Sunday, 5 April 2015 : Sequence

Liturgical Colour : White

Victimae Paschali laudes immolent Christiani.

Agnus redemit oves :

Christus innocens Patri reconciliavit peccatores,

Mors et vita duello conflixere mirando :

Dux vitae mortuus, regnat vivus.

Dic nobis, Maria, quid vidisti in via?

Sepulcrum Christi viventis,

Et gloriam vidi resurgentis,

Angelicos testes, sudarium et vestes.

Surrexit Christus spes mea : praecedet vos in Galilaeam.

Scimus Christum surrexisse a mortuis vere :

Tu nobis, victor Rex miserere. Amen. Alleluja.


English translation

To the Paschal Victim, let Christians offer the sacrifice of praise.

The Lamb had redeemed the sheep.

Christ the Sinless One had reconciled sinners to His Father.

Death and Life contended in a wondrous encounter.

The Prince of Life died indeed, but now reigns living.

Tell us, Mary, what did you see on the way?

I saw the sepulchre of the living Christ.

I saw the glory of Him who had risen.

I saw the angelic witnesses, the napkin and the linen cloths.

Christ, my Hope, had risen. He shall go before you into Galilee.

We know in truth that Christ had risen from the dead.

You, o Victorious King, have mercy on us. Amen. Alleluia.

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Friday, 10 April 2015 : Friday within Easter Octave (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we continue to hear the testimonies and proofs of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which the Holy Apostles and many other disciples of Jesus and even many other people at that time. The Lord Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, and what He did at the lake in the presence of the Apostles showed that it is really Him.

But there is an even greater significance to the readings today than what we would normally appreciate. Jesus came at the time when the disciples had gone out fishing for the whole night without being able to catch any fish at all. The disciples followed His instructions and immediately, a lot of large fishes, a hundred and fifty-three in all were captured in the net.

The large fishes, all of them are a symbol of the world itself, with all of the different people, different races and the different groups who come together and are ensnared in that net held from the boat steered by the Apostles, and this represent the Church itself. The boat is the Church, and the Apostles are its helmsmen, just as our priests and bishops today, their successors, are the helmsmen of the same Church.

The water represents the darkness of the world, and the nothingness beyond God and His light. Those fishes represents all of us mankind, whom God wants to empower and take out from that world of darkness, and bring into the light through the Church. Thus, what happened in the Gospel today is the story of salvation itself, and it is still occurring even unto this day.

And it also shows us all, what we, as the members of God’s Church should do and are indeed expected to do. For there are still so many people, so many souls out there are in the darkness and longing for the redemption which only the Lord can give. It is our part to give our best to help the cause of the Lord, by working together as the whole Church, to rescue the lost souls and all those who are still in darkness, so that they may see and witness the light of Christ and be saved.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is the mission and the command which our Lord had given to His disciples, and through them, to us all, that we go forth into the world to proclaim the Good News of His salvation, and that by His death and resurrection, He had conquered sin and death, and make the new hope of an everlasting life available to all of us.

This Easter is the time that we renew our commitment, not only to be faithful to our Lord, but also to continue the mission which He had entrusted to all of us. If we are not there to help our brethren escape the same danger and darkness from which we had escaped from, then who else would? Our Lord wants us all to be saved, yes, indeed, but He also wants us all to do so by our own free will and choice.

There is much homework for all of us to do. We should first look into our own lives first, and ask ourselves the question. Have we indeed been faithful to the Lord through words, deeds and actions? Have we been truly faithful in the heart and soul? Have we been genuinely faithful to Him by doing all of His will, and bringing His light and salvation to all those who have yet to hear of them all?

Let us all renew our efforts, to change our own lives, and live according to the ways of the Lord, that we ourselves will be worthy to be called the children of God, and by our actions, may countless others be inspired to do the same, and be saved together as one people, one race of humanity loved by our Lord and God, He who have given Himself as a willing sacrifice to save us all. God bless us all. Amen.

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Friday, 10 April 2015 : Friday within Easter Octave (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

John 21 : 1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples by the Lake of Tiberias. He appeared to them in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas who was called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two other disciples were together; and Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They replied, “We will come with you.” And they went out and got into the boat, but they caught nothing that night.

When day had already broken, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus called them, “Friends, do you have anything to eat?” They answered, “Nothing.” Then He said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat and you will find something.” When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in because of the great number of fish.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” At these words, “It is the Lord!” Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and jumped into the water. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hundred metres.

When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed into the boat and pulled the net to shore. It was full of big fish – one hundred and fifty-three – but, in spite of this, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” And not one of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” For they knew it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after rising from the dead.

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Friday, 10 April 2015 : Friday within Easter Octave (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 117 : 1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a

Alleluia! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His loving kindness endures forever. Let Israel say, “His loving kindness endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving kindness endures forever.”

The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing and we marvel at it. This is the day the Lord has made; so let us rejoice and be glad.

Save us, o Lord, deliver us, o Lord! Blessed is He who comes in the Lord’s Name! We bless You from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, may His light shine upon us.

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Friday, 10 April 2015 : Friday within Easter Octave (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 4 : 1-12

While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captains of the Temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them. They were greatly disturbed because the Apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming that resurrection from the dead had been proved in the case of Jesus.

Since it was already evening, they arrested them and put them in custody until the following day. But despite this, many of those who heard the Message believed and their number increased to about five thousand. The next day, the Jewish leaders, elders and teachers of the Law assembled in Jerusalem. Annas, the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and all who were of the high priestly class were there.

They brought Peter and John before them and began to question them, “How did you do this? Whose Name did you use?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke up, “Leaders of the people! Elders! It is a fact that we are being examined today for a good deed done to a cripple. How was he healed? You and all the people of Israel must know that this man stands before you cured through the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean. You had Him crucified, but God raised Him from the dead.”

“Jesus is the stone rejected by you the builders which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other Name given to humankind all over the world by which we may be saved.”

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Thursday, 9 April 2015 : Thursday within Easter Octave (Homily and Scripture Reflections)

Liturgical Colour : White

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we all heard about how Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the dead, and how He dispelled their uncertainties and doubts, by proving that He is indeed the Risen Lord, the suffering Messiah who had been lifted up to glory, in fulfillment of all that the prophets had spoken about.

He is the fulfillment of God’s promise for a long time, and indeed what St. Peter and St. John had testified in front of the Council of the elders and the High Priests was a reminder of that fact, and how God had loved His people so much, even when the people refused to acknowledge Him or to follow Him. God has given so much for us, even when we have given Him so little or nothing, or even contempt in return.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Easter season, we are all reminded of the great mercy and forgiveness which our Lord had shown us, and which He will always show us and offer to us, for the sake of our salvation and redemption, destroying our sins and our iniquities which have barred our way to Him. And therefore, having been renewed in the Lord, we are worthy to receive the heavenly inheritance and great graces which have always been intended for us.

But this does not come about easily, brethren, for the salvation of the Lord does not require just passive waiting for God’s mercy or to think that no matter what we have done, God will surely forgive us. Forgiveness does not come about without repentance and sincere intention on our part so that we devote ourselves to sin no more and walk from then on always in the ways of God.

Just think about it, brethren, that if we profess to be faithful to the Lord our God, and in our actions we show otherwise, then would it not indeed be a great scandal, both in the eyes of God and men alike? Man cannot serve two masters, and indeed, we cannot both serve God and our desires. We cannot serve both God and Satan at the same time. We have to make a conscious and clear choice between the two.

Doubt, uncertainties, fears and all the things which the Apostles encountered, experienced and felt, are all human nature, and so was with the Pharisees, the elders, the chief priests and all who plotted against Jesus and condemned Him to be crucified. It was because of their inability to detach themselves from the desires and from the temptations of the world that they had committed such a great sin.

We have to remember, brothers and sisters, that all of us are sinners, and that there is no sin which has been counted beyond what God had borne upon Himself as He carried that cross to Calvary. Every single sin we committed, even the smallest ones had been taken up by Jesus, and through His death and His resurrection from the dead, He offered to us all the great opportunity and grace which God had promised to His people.

Therefore, as we continue to celebrate and rejoice through this blessed season of Easter, let us remember that we should try to keep ourselves as immaculate and pure as possible. Do not let evil desires and wickedness to affect us and corrupt us. It is very important that we should do as what is expected of us as the children of God. May Almighty God therefore bless us and guide us in all our ways. God be with us all forever. Amen.

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Thursday, 9 April 2015 : Thursday within Easter Octave (Gospel Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Luke 24 : 35-48

At that time, the two disciples from Emmaus told what had happened on the road to there, and how Jesus had made Himself known, when He broke bread with them.

While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you.” In their panic and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost, but He said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds? Look at My hands and feet, and see that it is I Myself! Touch Me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” As He said this, He showed His hands and feet.

In their joy they did not dare believe, and were still astonished; so He said to them, “Do you have anything to eat?” And they gave Him a piece of broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them. Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you : Everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

And He said, “So it was written : the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in His Name would be proclaimed to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.”

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Thursday, 9 April 2015 : Thursday within Easter Octave (Psalm)

Liturgical Colour : White

Psalm 8 : 2a and 5, 6-7, 8-9

O Lord, our Lord, how great is Your Name throughout the earth! What is man that You be mindful of him, the Son of Man, that You should care for Him?

Yet You made Him a little lower than the angels; You crowned Him with glory and honour and gave Him the works of Your hands; You have put all things under His feet.

Sheep and oxen without number and even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air,  the fish of the sea, and all that swim the paths of the ocean.

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Thursday, 9 April 2015 : Thursday within Easter Octave (First Reading)

Liturgical Colour : White

Acts 3 : 11-26

While the healed beggar clung to Peter and John, all the people, struck with astonishment, came running to them in Solomon’s Porch, as it was called. When Peter saw the people, he said to them, “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if it was by some power or holiness of our own that we made this man walk?”

“The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified His servant Jesus, whom you handed over to death and denied before Pilate, when even Pilate had decided to release Him. You rejected the Holy and Just One, and you insisted that a murderer be released to you.”

“You killed the Master of life, but God raised Him from the dead and we are witnesses to this. It is His Name, and faith in His Name, that has healed this man whom you see and recognise. The faith that comes through Jesus has given him wholeness in the presence of all of you.”

“Yet I know that you acted out of ignorance, as did your leaders. God has fulfilled in this way what He had foretold through all the prophets, that His Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out and the time of refreshment may come by the mercy of God, when He sends the Messiah appointed for you, Jesus. For He must remain in heaven until the time of the universal restoration which God spoke of long ago through His holy prophets.”

“Moses foretold this when he said : ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people; you shall listen to Him in all that He says to you. Whoever does not listen to that Prophet is to be cut off from among His people.'”

“In fact, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel onward, have announced the events of these days. You are the children of the prophets and heirs of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors when He said to Abraham : ‘All the families of the earth will be blessed through your descendant.'”

“It is to you first that God sends His servant; He raised Him to life to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”