Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper The Roman Missal states, “After the proclamation of the Gospel the priest gives a homily in which light is shed on the principal mysteries that are commemorated in this Mass, namely, the institution of the Holy Eucharist and of the priestly Order, and the commandment of the Lord concerning fraternal charity.” The Memorial Acclamation on this night will be: “When We Eat this Bread and Drink this cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again”. Eating and drinking is essential for our existence. It is not a coincidence that our Lord chose to be present to us in the form of bread and wine which is transformed into his Body and Blood. It is necessary that we enter into this mystery time and time again so to prepare ourselves for that day when we shall see our Lord face to face. It is our great hope to share with the saints in heaven to be with the Lord forever. At the Eucharistic table, the Holy Spirit through the words of the priest, standing in the person (“in persona”) of Christ, represents this moment once again when our Lord laid down his life for us once and for all. We do this “in remembrance” of Him. Therefore, we celebrate the great institution of the priesthood. As we sing “Ubi Caritas” by Bob Hurd we are reminded, that “Where there is true charity, God is present”. When we humble ourselves for one another, we become servants to one another.
Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord There is no Mass on this day. As we come forward to venerate the cross at the 12 Noon service this day, we sing “At the Cross Her Station Keeping” as we recall through the eyes of Mary, the mother of God, this great sacrifice of love for all humankind. We look to Mary to lead us to her son. In the words of the second verse of this ancient hymn with words written by Jacqpone da Todi (1230-1306), “Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed”.
The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
In the Easter Proclamation that Deacon Steve will chant this evening, we hear, “O truly blessed night, when things of heaven are wed to those of earth, and divine to the human”. The Lord of glory chose to enter into our human existence so to share more intimately in our nature. Now he returns to where he came, to take us to Himself. It is our hope to share in his divine image when we are called home, to be with our God for all eternity. May the light of Christ be with us all! The Gospel Acclamation has three verses this evening. They speak of the mercy of the Lord, the hope of eternal life, and the triumph of the cross. With all our hearts and voices, we cry out “Alleluia!” as we sing the “Festival Alelluia” of Chepponis We sing the “Litany of the Saints” this night as we ask for their intercession as the newest members of our community of faith receive the Sacraments of Initiation. At the same time, the faithful renew their own baptismal promises and vow to reject sin and Satan.
At Communion time today, we sing on the refrain of “I am the Bread of Life” by Toolan, “….and I will raise you up on the last day!” (Yo los resucitatre en el dia final”). We reflect on the promise the Lord gives us in John 6:35-58. This section is worth reading slowly as we prepare to receive the Lord in the Eucharist.
Easter Sunday
We sing the Easter sequence today. “Christians to the Paschal Victim, Offer your Thankful Praises! A Lamb the sheep redeems; Christ, who only is sinless. Reconciles sinners to the Father”. This poetic text reminds us that Christ is always calling us to turn back to Him. May we acknowledge our waywardness and rely on his protection to change our hearts!