GOOD FRIDAY WE CONTEMPLATED A LOVE STRONGER THAN DEATH Download version Introduction The dramatic agony on the cross has often led the preachers of the past to dwell excessively on the gory aspects of Jesus’ passion. From this preaching, images, popular representations, and devotions that aggravate the violence of the blows, the scourging, the falling […]
HOLY THURSDAY JESUS: BROKEN BREAD, OFFERED AS NOURISHMENT Download version Introduction Among the many names by which the Eucharist was called, the one that best expresses the meaning and richness of the sacrament is the breaking of the bread. The disciples of Emmaus recognized the Lord “in the breaking of the bread” (Lk 24:35); the
PASSION SUNDAY – YEAR A HIS CRIME: TO HAVE LOVED AND TAUGHT TO LOVE Download version Introduction Jesus is at the table with the Twelve and, while they are having dinner, he turns to them, saying, “One of you will betray me.” Then they, deeply saddened, begin to ask him, one by one, “Surely not
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A THE TOMB: A WOMB, NO LONGER A GRAVE Download version Introduction ‘When the gods formed mankind, they attributed death to humanity and withhold life in their hands.’ In the famous Mesopotamian epic, these are the words that the tavern-keeper, Siduri, addressed Gilgamesh, who is in desperate search of
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A THERE’S A LIGHT THAT NEVER SETS Download version Introduction We can see some things; others elude us. The scientific knowledge that allows us to examine, monitor, and quantify everything that is material is growing at a breakneck pace. It makes us curious, thrilled and feel proud to the
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A THERE’S A PRICELESS WATER Download version Introduction For many years, the Jews in the Sinai experienced thirst and the lure of mirages. They dug wells and dreamed of a land where water falls from the sky in the form of rain and dew, where springs gush and flow
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A ELECTED TO SERVE Download version Introduction “The Lord has chosen you—Moses says to Israel—from among all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his very own people” (Deut 14:2). “It was on your fathers that the Lord set his heart. He loved them and after
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT – YEAR A THE TEMPTATION OF AN ILLUSORY HAPPINESS Download version Introduction In common parlance, to be tempted means to feel attracted to the forbidden. It is little wonder that the great characters of the Bible, the patriarchs and Job have been tempted. A certain embarrassment is felt in front of
SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A THEY KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS BUT DO NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN Download version Introduction The Jews call the first five books of the Bible the Law. A surprising way to call a collection that contains rules, precepts, and commands but is not a code of law
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A HOW COULD ONE BECOME SALT AND LIGHT? Download version Introduction ‘Today, there is no more faith. Once there was so much.’ How do you measure faith? Referring to statistics, do you simply count the number of those who participate in Sunday Mass, receive the sacraments, marry in
