I Take Off the Mask

Scripture Reading: “Then the angel said to the women in reply, ‘Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’” —Matthew 28:5-6 (NABRE) The silence of Holy Saturday is broken by the glorious proclamation of Easter: “He is not here, for he has been raised!” The tomb is empty. Death has been conquered. Sin has lost its power. Christ has triumphed, and with Him, we have been given the hope of new life. Easter is the greatest feast of our faith because it is the foundation of our salvation. Through His death, Jesus redeemed us; through His resurrection, He gave us the promise of eternal life. No longer do we need to fear sin and death, for Christ has overcome them both. His victory is our victory! Like the women at the tomb, we are invited to encounter the Risen Lord. The angel tells them, “Do not be afraid.” How often do we live in fear—fea...

Scripture Reading: “They took the body of Jesus and bound it with burial cloths along with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by.” —John 19:40-42 (NABRE) Holy Saturday is a day of silence. The world seems to pause as Jesus lies in the tomb. After the agony of Good Friday, there is emptiness, grief, and waiting. The disciples, confused and afraid, hide in sorrow. Mary, full of faith, ponders everything in her heart, trusting in the promise of her Son. We, too, experience Holy Saturday moments in our lives—times of waiting, uncertainty, and suffering. We pray, but God seems silent. We long for hope, yet we feel the weight of sorrow. But today reminds us that God is still at work, even in the silence. The tomb is not the end of the story. In the u...

Scripture Reading: “When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.” —John 19:30 (NABRE) Good Friday is the most solemn day of the liturgical year. It is the day we stand at the foot of the Cross, witnessing the suffering and death of our Lord. The world goes quiet as Jesus breathes His last. It is a day of sorrow, but also of overwhelming love—for this is the moment Christ fulfills His mission, offering Himself completely for our salvation. Jesus’ final words, “It is finished,” are not words of defeat but of victory. He has accomplished the work the Father sent Him to do. Every wound He bore, every insult He endured, every drop of blood He shed was for love—love for you, love for me, love for all humanity. The Cross, once a symbol of shame, has become the greatest sign of God’s mercy. Today, we are invited to kneel before the Cross and reflect on the price of our redemption. Do we truly understand the depth of Chris...

Scripture Reading: “So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, ‘Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me “teacher” and “master,” and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow so that as I have done for you, you should also do.’” —John 13:12-15 (NABRE) On Maundy Thursday, we enter into the most sacred hours of Holy Week, remembering the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, and Jesus’ command to love and serve one another. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum , meaning “commandment,” referring to Jesus’ instruction: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:34). In the Upper Room, Jesus does something unexpected—He kneels before His disciples and wa...

Scripture Reading: “Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.” —Matthew 26:14-16 (NABRE) Holy Wednesday is often called “Spy Wednesday” because it marks the day when Judas Iscariot conspired to betray Jesus. For thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave—he was willing to hand over the Lord. This moment is one of deep sorrow, not just because of Judas’ betrayal, but because it reminds us of the ways we, too, have been unfaithful to Christ. It is easy to condemn Judas, but Holy Wednesday calls us to honest reflection. Have we ever chosen something over Jesus? Have we ever betrayed Him through our sins, our silence, or our failure to love? Each time we sin, we, too, exchange our relationship with Christ for something fleeting and empty. Yet, Jesus d...

Scripture Reading: “Jesus then said to them, ‘The light will be among you only a little while. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness may not overcome you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of the light.’” —John 12:35-36 (NABRE) As we move deeper into Holy Week, Jesus urges us to walk in His light while there is still time. He speaks these words just before His Passion, knowing that the darkness of sin and betrayal will soon seem to overshadow everything. Yet, He reminds His followers—and us—to believe in the light, to remain in Him, and to trust that darkness will never have the final word. Holy Tuesday challenges us to reflect on our own faith. Do we trust in the light of Christ, even when trials surround us? Or do we let fear, doubt, and sin lead us into darkness? There are moments in life when God’s presence seems hidden, when suffering or uncertainty clouds ...

Scripture Reading: “Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” —John 12:3 (NABRE) As Holy Week begins, the Gospel for Holy Monday invites us into a moment of profound love and devotion. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, pours costly perfumed oil upon Jesus’ feet, anointing Him in an act of extravagant love. Her actions stand in stark contrast to Judas, who objects to what he sees as a waste. Yet, Jesus defends Mary, recognizing her offering as preparation for His burial. Mary’s gesture is an invitation to us. In this sacred week, how do we respond to Jesus? Do we, like Mary, offer Him the best of our hearts, or do we, like Judas, hold back, calculating what is “too much” to give? Holy Monday challenges us to examine the depth of our devotion. Mary’s love was not half-hearted—it was complete, selfless, and unashamed. She did not fear the j...

Scripture Reading: “The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.’” —Matthew 21:9 (NABRE) Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most solemn and sacred time in the Church’s liturgical year. On this day, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where the people spread their cloaks on the road and waved palm branches, welcoming Him as the long-awaited Messiah. Yet, just days later, the same voices that cried, “Hosanna!” would shout, “Crucify Him!” This contrast invites us to examine our own hearts. How often do we, like the crowd, welcome Jesus with enthusiasm when things are going well, but turn away from Him in times of hardship? Do we remain faithful when the road of discipleship becomes difficult? Jesus enters Jerusalem not as a conquering warrior but as a humble King, riding on a donkey. He does not come to rule with power...

Scripture Reading: “Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She replied, ‘No one, sir.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.’” —John 8:10-11 (NABRE) As we journey deeper into Lent, today’s Gospel presents one of the most powerful encounters of mercy in Scripture—the woman caught in adultery. Dragged before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees, she faces public humiliation and the threat of death. But instead of condemning her, Jesus responds with divine mercy. Rather than engaging in their trap, Jesus bends down and writes in the sand. His silence speaks volumes, forcing the accusers to reflect on their own sinfulness. One by one, they leave until only Jesus and the woman remain. In this sacred moment, He offers her not condemnation, but a new beginning: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” This passage reveals the heart of Christ. He does not ignor...