The Paschal Candle is the symbol of the "light of Christ, rising in glory," scattering the "darkness of our hearts and minds."

Jesus' triumph over death, Christ shattering the gates and breaking the chains of hell.

The liturgical atmosphere changes from sorrow to joy at this service.

The faithful continue to fast and the Paschal greeting,is not exchanged until after midnight during the Paschal Vigil

since this service represents the proclamation of Jesus' victory over death to those in Hades.

 

 

 

                                  "Christ is risen!"   "Christ is risen!"  "Christ is risen!" 

 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Genesis 1:1-2:2 (or 1:1, 26-31a) 

Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35

 

Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Passover is near, and so too is Jesus’ “hour”.

Jesus announces to his own people that the good news of God.

 With the gospel, freedom is announced to people who are stuck,

blind people see, and the year of God's goodness is announced.

when the gospel words lifted your heart, calmed fears, renewed hope and refreshed your whole life? '

The good news is Jesus in your life.

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 42:1-7

Here is my servant

  “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Throughout his ministry, Jesus sought to teach people that God was a caring and loving Father,

not a stern and unforgiving judge, nor a vengeful and uncaring deity.

The Prologue in the Gospel of John tells us of God’s profound love for the world which led him to send his Son to redeem it. 

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

 

Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.

This is the Passion of an absolutely innocent victim who,

transform it to energies of love, and return it as redemptive grace.

The woman who anoints Jesus engages in an individual act of extravagant devotion,

but Jesus interprets the action as anticipating his burial.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 50:4-7

The Lord Yahweh has taught me

 Jesus washing his disciplines’ feet during the last supper. He taught through action in this act of humility and service.

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you (John 13:15).”

Christ washed his disciples' feet, that he might signify to them the value of spiritual washing, and the cleansing of the soul from the pollutions of sin.

Peter begs to be washed by Christ. How earnest he is for the purifying grace of the Lord Jesus, and the full effect of it, even upon his hands and head!

 

 

At evening, begin Easter Triduum of the Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection

CHRISM MASS:

1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9

2nd Reading: Revelation 1:5-8

Gospel: Luke 4:16-21

 

 The religious authorities are now perplexed at the mighty works that Jesus performs. It attracted a great following.

Soon the Roman conquerors will take notice and perhaps suppress the Jesus movement.

They can only think of their own survival, of the preservation of their privileges.

They miss the significance of Jesus’ actions. 

  

St. Toribio de Mogrovejo, bishop

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

1st Reading: Ezekiel 37:21-28

You will then say to them:

 It was at Passover time that Jesus came to Jerusalem

knowing he would be betrayed and put to death

as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"

Jesus knew what was to come, and yet he still chose to share

the Passover meal with his disciples, including Judas.

  

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Lord Yahweh has taught me

All of Jesus leads us to his divine origin, the Son and Word of God.

They charged him with blasphemy because he claimed to be the Son of God and he made himself equal with God.

Even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize that the Father is in me and I am in the Father .

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

1st Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13

I hear many people

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, including the feet of Judas Iscariot.

Jesus loved his disciples until the end and his love showed no discrimination.

Jesus’ love for Judas was never in doubt.

(“I will draw all people to myself!”)

“I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Isaiah 49:1-6

Listen to me, O islands,

 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

1st Reading: Genesis 17:3-9

Abram fell face down and