VIDEOS - THIRD WEEK OF EASTER
MASSES
Memorial of St. Athanasius 5-2-2020
Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker 5-1-2020
Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter 4-30-2020
Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena 4-29-2020
Tuesday of the 3rd Week of Easter 4-28-2020
Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter 4-27-2020
3rd Sunday of Easter 4-26-2020
III Domingo de Pascua 26-4-2020
CONSECRATION
Consecration to Mary, Mother of the Church 5-1-2020
Saturday, April 25, 2020
3rd Sunday of Easter @ St. Vincent de Paul Parish
HOMILY - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
APRIL 26, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy-fantasy film starring Bill Murray as TV weatherman Phil Conners. During an assignment to Punxsutawny, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day with his producer and cameraman, Phil gets caught in a time loop – where he has to live out, over and over again, the worst day of his life.
In the midst of this time loop, he wakes up in a little rural bed and breakfast to Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe,” each and every day.
Only he notices, and at first, he takes advantage of the lack of consequences doing all sorts of terrible things, and wakes up the next day back where he started.
Eventually, he uses his seemingly endless time to better himself, and in the end wins the heart of his producer, and wakes up the next day – not just back to normal, but better than normal.
Groundhog Day only had modest success at the box office, but over time has become more and more popular. The term “groundhog day” now means something like “deja vu,” and the film itself was added to the National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, [and] aesthetically significant.”
Today is the 3rd Sunday of Easter.
But the Gospel readings for the past three weeks are all from that first Easter Day. It’s almost like we keep waking up to Easter – each time seeing it from a slightly different perspective.
Luke’s Gospel of the Emmaus Road incident is familiar to us all. Jesus “was made known to [those disciples] in the breaking of bread.” Opening their eyes, and lifting their discouraged hearts.
In the section immediately before this pericope, the evidence of the Resurrection is discovered by the women, and reported to the Apostles. In this version of the story, only Peter runs to the tomb, but still returns in amazement. In the opening of the tomb, their hearts are left perplexed.
Immediately after what we just heard, the two disciples run back to Jerusalem, and while they’re trying to explain everything, Jesus appears in their midst – bringing joy to their troubled hearts, and opening their minds to the reality of the Resurrection.
We’re on week 6 of “shelter in place,” and some days it seems like same old, same old … sort of like groundhog day over and over again.
Yet we have an opportunity to do something with all of this free time, or quality time, or alone time that we find ourselves with. And soon enough, we’ll be back to normal – whatever that is. But it will be busier, and we’ll all be wondering what happened to all of this time.
St. Peter, in his first letter, gives us guidance to grow in holiness through “faith and hope … in God.” And in the first reading from Acts, we see the Power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost directing Peter to proclaim boldly that Christ is indeed alive.
Easter Season is 50 days, and it ends on Pentecost – May 31st. We’re already we’re almost one-third of the way through it.
And while “shelter in place” might have us feeling like we’re living our own groundhog day, let’s use this time to grow in Faith, Hope, and Love … to persevere and grow in holiness, harmony, and virtue.
As we continue with this liturgy and offer to God the Father, the sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit … let us resolve to grow deeper in our daily walk with Christ … and to recognize in our own situations an opportunity – an appointed time – to live through, with, and in our risen Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.
APRIL 26, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American comedy-fantasy film starring Bill Murray as TV weatherman Phil Conners. During an assignment to Punxsutawny, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day with his producer and cameraman, Phil gets caught in a time loop – where he has to live out, over and over again, the worst day of his life.
In the midst of this time loop, he wakes up in a little rural bed and breakfast to Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe,” each and every day.
Only he notices, and at first, he takes advantage of the lack of consequences doing all sorts of terrible things, and wakes up the next day back where he started.
Eventually, he uses his seemingly endless time to better himself, and in the end wins the heart of his producer, and wakes up the next day – not just back to normal, but better than normal.
Groundhog Day only had modest success at the box office, but over time has become more and more popular. The term “groundhog day” now means something like “deja vu,” and the film itself was added to the National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, [and] aesthetically significant.”
Today is the 3rd Sunday of Easter.
But the Gospel readings for the past three weeks are all from that first Easter Day. It’s almost like we keep waking up to Easter – each time seeing it from a slightly different perspective.
Luke’s Gospel of the Emmaus Road incident is familiar to us all. Jesus “was made known to [those disciples] in the breaking of bread.” Opening their eyes, and lifting their discouraged hearts.
In the section immediately before this pericope, the evidence of the Resurrection is discovered by the women, and reported to the Apostles. In this version of the story, only Peter runs to the tomb, but still returns in amazement. In the opening of the tomb, their hearts are left perplexed.
Immediately after what we just heard, the two disciples run back to Jerusalem, and while they’re trying to explain everything, Jesus appears in their midst – bringing joy to their troubled hearts, and opening their minds to the reality of the Resurrection.
We’re on week 6 of “shelter in place,” and some days it seems like same old, same old … sort of like groundhog day over and over again.
Yet we have an opportunity to do something with all of this free time, or quality time, or alone time that we find ourselves with. And soon enough, we’ll be back to normal – whatever that is. But it will be busier, and we’ll all be wondering what happened to all of this time.
St. Peter, in his first letter, gives us guidance to grow in holiness through “faith and hope … in God.” And in the first reading from Acts, we see the Power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost directing Peter to proclaim boldly that Christ is indeed alive.
Easter Season is 50 days, and it ends on Pentecost – May 31st. We’re already we’re almost one-third of the way through it.
And while “shelter in place” might have us feeling like we’re living our own groundhog day, let’s use this time to grow in Faith, Hope, and Love … to persevere and grow in holiness, harmony, and virtue.
As we continue with this liturgy and offer to God the Father, the sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit … let us resolve to grow deeper in our daily walk with Christ … and to recognize in our own situations an opportunity – an appointed time – to live through, with, and in our risen Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.
Sunday, April 19, 2020
2nd Week of Easter @ St. Vincent de Paul Parish
VIDEOS - SECOND WEEK OF EASTER
MASSES
Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist 4-25-2020
Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-24-2020
Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-23-2020
Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-22-2020
Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-21-2020
Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-20-2020
2nd Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday 4-19-2020
II Domingo de Pascua o Domingo de Divina Misericordia 19-4-2020
DEVOTIONS
Divine Mercy Devotions and Eucharistic Adoration 4-19-2020
MASSES
Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist 4-25-2020
Friday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-24-2020
Thursday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-23-2020
Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-22-2020
Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-21-2020
Monday of the 2nd Week of Easter 4-20-2020
2nd Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday 4-19-2020
II Domingo de Pascua o Domingo de Divina Misericordia 19-4-2020
DEVOTIONS
Divine Mercy Devotions and Eucharistic Adoration 4-19-2020
2nd Sunday of Easter @ St. Vincent de Paul Parish
HOMILY - SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY)
APRIL 19, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, the Sunday within the Octave of Easter. An Octave is a period of eight days that extends a liturgical feast beyond a 24 hour day. At one time, the Church recognized nearly 20 particular feast days with octaves. In our current calendar, there are only two: The octaves of Christmas and Easter.
So, in case you missed it, this whole last week was all Easter all the time.
Today is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. This designation is of a more recent origin - dating from the 1930s. Where according to the visions of Saint Faustina Kowalska, Jesus appeared to her and told her to write things down. Part of her visions was that Jesus wanted to create a devotion to make people more aware of His great mercy.
Pope Saint John Paul II promoted this feast and extended it to the entire Church. And five years ago Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy
Today’s readings present us with three images of mercy.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles shows the early Church living out the Love of God as a united community. Sadly, over her two thousand year history, not only has the Church suffered merciless persecutions; she has also been rent by schism and heresy. And even within the Church there are too many divisions.
Yet mercy calls us to unity - not to division. Let us pray that we may be, like the early disciples “of one heart and [one] mind” in living the Gospel and showing forth the one mercy of the one true God.
The second reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter, speaks of our relationship with Christ and our divine “inheritance … in heaven.”
Indeed, we received “great mercy [that] gave us new birth to a living hope” through “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” If we exercise the Baptismal graces of Faith, Hope, and Love this mercy will manifest itself in our daily lives
St. Peter speaks of the “indescribable and glorious joy” that is ours as we “attain the goal of [our] faith, the salvation of [our] souls.”
Mercy, then, calls us to persevere in our relationship with God in Christ as we live out our baptismal call.
Finally, we hear in the Gospel, the familiar story of doubting Thomas. Jesus shows up in the midst of the disciples. And what does he say? “Hey! Where were you guys? Why did you all ran away?”
Nope. He doesn’t say that.
Does he call out Peter for denying Him during His passion?
Nope. He doesn’t mention that.
Rather, Our Lord says: “Peace be with you.”
And He gives the Apostles the power to bind and loose sins through the Holy Spirit. The same power that is held in the Sacrament of Reconciliation ... Penance ... Confession.
After Jesus’s appearance, Thomas shows up and won’t believe anything the other Apostles say. And then 8 days later - what would be a week after Easter ... that is, today ... Jesus appears again. And this time, Thomas is there.
Does He criticize Thomas for being stubborn and unbelieving?
Nope. He doesn’t.
He says, “Peace be with you.”
And then, gives Thomas what he asked for - presenting His hands and His side so that Thomas can move from unbelief to belief.
The mercy of God, shown forth in the Person of Jesus Christ, moves us deeper into Faith, and brings us God’s peace.
Not condemnation. Not judgment. Not punishment.
As we continue in the sacred liturgy, offering to God the Father the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit; let us pray that God’s mercy will act in us and through us. So that we might (i) manifest the fruits of mercy in our lives through unity with His Church ... (ii) as we show His mercy to the world, through salvation in God and Christ Jesus, as we experience His mercy by living out the Gospel in Faith, Hope, and Love; and (iii) through the peace of God - “which surpasses all understanding” - as we encounter God’s mercy in the Person of Jesus Christ in both Word and Sacrament.
APRIL 19, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
Today is the Second Sunday of Easter, the Sunday within the Octave of Easter. An Octave is a period of eight days that extends a liturgical feast beyond a 24 hour day. At one time, the Church recognized nearly 20 particular feast days with octaves. In our current calendar, there are only two: The octaves of Christmas and Easter.
So, in case you missed it, this whole last week was all Easter all the time.
Today is also known as Divine Mercy Sunday. This designation is of a more recent origin - dating from the 1930s. Where according to the visions of Saint Faustina Kowalska, Jesus appeared to her and told her to write things down. Part of her visions was that Jesus wanted to create a devotion to make people more aware of His great mercy.
Pope Saint John Paul II promoted this feast and extended it to the entire Church. And five years ago Pope Francis announced an Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy
“as a moment for the entire Church to spread the word of God’s forgiveness.”This is all very appropriate. After all, we spent the last 40 days of Lent praying “Parce Domini” - which is Latin for “Spare us O Lord.” Throughout Lent, we prayed Psalm 51, “Have mercy on me God in your kindness.” And within our daily liturgy, the cry of “Kyrie eleison,” Greek for “Lord have mercy” resounds. And so, now that we have completed Lent ... what do we do with all that mercy?
Today’s readings present us with three images of mercy.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles shows the early Church living out the Love of God as a united community. Sadly, over her two thousand year history, not only has the Church suffered merciless persecutions; she has also been rent by schism and heresy. And even within the Church there are too many divisions.
Yet mercy calls us to unity - not to division. Let us pray that we may be, like the early disciples “of one heart and [one] mind” in living the Gospel and showing forth the one mercy of the one true God.
The second reading from the First Letter of Saint Peter, speaks of our relationship with Christ and our divine “inheritance … in heaven.”
Indeed, we received “great mercy [that] gave us new birth to a living hope” through “the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” If we exercise the Baptismal graces of Faith, Hope, and Love this mercy will manifest itself in our daily lives
St. Peter speaks of the “indescribable and glorious joy” that is ours as we “attain the goal of [our] faith, the salvation of [our] souls.”
Mercy, then, calls us to persevere in our relationship with God in Christ as we live out our baptismal call.
Finally, we hear in the Gospel, the familiar story of doubting Thomas. Jesus shows up in the midst of the disciples. And what does he say? “Hey! Where were you guys? Why did you all ran away?”
Nope. He doesn’t say that.
Does he call out Peter for denying Him during His passion?
Nope. He doesn’t mention that.
Rather, Our Lord says: “Peace be with you.”
And He gives the Apostles the power to bind and loose sins through the Holy Spirit. The same power that is held in the Sacrament of Reconciliation ... Penance ... Confession.
After Jesus’s appearance, Thomas shows up and won’t believe anything the other Apostles say. And then 8 days later - what would be a week after Easter ... that is, today ... Jesus appears again. And this time, Thomas is there.
Does He criticize Thomas for being stubborn and unbelieving?
Nope. He doesn’t.
He says, “Peace be with you.”
And then, gives Thomas what he asked for - presenting His hands and His side so that Thomas can move from unbelief to belief.
The mercy of God, shown forth in the Person of Jesus Christ, moves us deeper into Faith, and brings us God’s peace.
Not condemnation. Not judgment. Not punishment.
As we continue in the sacred liturgy, offering to God the Father the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit; let us pray that God’s mercy will act in us and through us. So that we might (i) manifest the fruits of mercy in our lives through unity with His Church ... (ii) as we show His mercy to the world, through salvation in God and Christ Jesus, as we experience His mercy by living out the Gospel in Faith, Hope, and Love; and (iii) through the peace of God - “which surpasses all understanding” - as we encounter God’s mercy in the Person of Jesus Christ in both Word and Sacrament.
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Easter Octave @ St. Vincent de Paul
VIDEOS - EASTER OCTAVE
DEVOTIONS
Divine Mercy Devotions and Eucharistic Adoration 4-19-2020
MASSES
Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday 4-19-2020
II Domingo de Pascua o Domingo de Divina Misericordia 19-4-2020
Saturday in the Octave of Easter 4-18-2020
Friday in the Octave of Easter 4-17-2020
Thursday in the Octave of Easter 4-16-2020
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter 4-15-2020
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter 4-14-2020
Monday in the Octave of Easter 4-13-2020
Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection 4-12-2020
Domingo de Pascua la Resurrección del Señor 12-4-2020
DEVOTIONS
Divine Mercy Devotions and Eucharistic Adoration 4-19-2020
MASSES
Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday 4-19-2020
II Domingo de Pascua o Domingo de Divina Misericordia 19-4-2020
Saturday in the Octave of Easter 4-18-2020
Friday in the Octave of Easter 4-17-2020
Thursday in the Octave of Easter 4-16-2020
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter 4-15-2020
Tuesday in the Octave of Easter 4-14-2020
Monday in the Octave of Easter 4-13-2020
Easter Sunday of the Lord's Resurrection 4-12-2020
Domingo de Pascua la Resurrección del Señor 12-4-2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Easter Sunday @ St. Vincent de Paul
HOMILY - EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD (YEAR A)
APRIL 12, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
In Greece and many parts of the Christian East, you hear it at the start of the evening news and at the beginning of public announcements:
That might seem a bit over-the-top to our secularized mentality as 21st century Americans ... or maybe at the least, the triple kiss thing ... but today is Easter, and indeed - Christ is risen.
What we may be missing if we don’t recognize the significance of this day is that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, and His victory not only over sin, but over death itself ... And ... well ... that sort of ... changes everything.
And if it doesn’t sink in for us, think back to the Gospel story we just heard from St. John’s Gospel. Mary Magdalen has reported to the Apostles that she has seen the risen Christ.
They’re thinking she’s slipped a cog or two. In fact, out of the remaining eleven Apostles, only Peter takes off running, followed by John. John must have had his running shoes on, because Scripture tells us that he gets to the tomb first ... and waits for Peter, who goes in first.
And the Gospel tells us that:
These are the Apostles - who spent the last three years living with Jesus. And they are still not getting this. But nonetheless, we are told that:
APRIL 12, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
In Greece and many parts of the Christian East, you hear it at the start of the evening news and at the beginning of public announcements:
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη! (Khristós Anésti! Alithós Anésti!)People greet each other in the same way, and in some parts of Eastern Europe and Russia - they exchange a triple kiss on the cheeks.
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!This greeting permeates every aspect of peoples’ lives for the next 50 days until the end of the Easter Season.
That might seem a bit over-the-top to our secularized mentality as 21st century Americans ... or maybe at the least, the triple kiss thing ... but today is Easter, and indeed - Christ is risen.
What we may be missing if we don’t recognize the significance of this day is that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, and His victory not only over sin, but over death itself ... And ... well ... that sort of ... changes everything.
And if it doesn’t sink in for us, think back to the Gospel story we just heard from St. John’s Gospel. Mary Magdalen has reported to the Apostles that she has seen the risen Christ.
They’re thinking she’s slipped a cog or two. In fact, out of the remaining eleven Apostles, only Peter takes off running, followed by John. John must have had his running shoes on, because Scripture tells us that he gets to the tomb first ... and waits for Peter, who goes in first.
And the Gospel tells us that:
they did not yet understand the Scripture that [Jesus] had to rise from the dead.
These are the Apostles - who spent the last three years living with Jesus. And they are still not getting this. But nonetheless, we are told that:
[they] saw and believed.As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, let us set aside any lack of understanding we may have ... any misunderstandings we may have about Jesus ... let us tap into the graces of our Baptism - the supernatural graces of Faith, Hope, and Love ... and let us truly “see” and “believe.”
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen.And ... that ... changes ... everything.! Happy Easter!
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Sacred Paschal Triduum @ St. Vincent de Paul
VIDEOS - THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
HOLY SATURDAY
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night 4-11-2020
Office of Readings 4-11-2020 (PDF booklet)
GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion 4-10-2020
Office of Readings 4-10-2020 (PDF booklet)
HOLY THURSDAY
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper 4-9-2020
Office of Readings 4-9-2020 (PDF booklet)
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
Stations of the Cross
Additional video prayers posted at:
www.facebook.com/davidjenuwine and www.facebook.com/fatherdavidjenuwine.com
HOLY SATURDAY
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night 4-11-2020
Office of Readings 4-11-2020 (PDF booklet)
GOOD FRIDAY
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion 4-10-2020
Office of Readings 4-10-2020 (PDF booklet)
HOLY THURSDAY
Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper 4-9-2020
Office of Readings 4-9-2020 (PDF booklet)
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
Stations of the Cross
Additional video prayers posted at:
www.facebook.com/davidjenuwine and www.facebook.com/fatherdavidjenuwine.com
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Holy Week @ St. Vincent de Paul
VIDEOS - HOLY WEEK
MASSES
Wednesday of Holy Week 4-8-2020
Tuesday of Holy Week 4-7-2020
Monday of Holy Week 4-6-2020
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion 4-5-2020
Domingo de Ramos de la pasión del Señor 5-4-2020
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
Stations of the Cross
Additional video prayers posted at:
www.facebook.com/davidjenuwine and www.facebook.com/fatherdavidjenuwine.com
MASSES
Wednesday of Holy Week 4-8-2020
Tuesday of Holy Week 4-7-2020
Monday of Holy Week 4-6-2020
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion 4-5-2020
Domingo de Ramos de la pasión del Señor 5-4-2020
ADDITIONAL PRAYERS
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
Stations of the Cross
Additional video prayers posted at:
www.facebook.com/davidjenuwine and www.facebook.com/fatherdavidjenuwine.com
Palm Sunday @ St. Vincent de Paul
HOMILY - PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION (YEAR A)
APRIL 5, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
In a court of law, there are rules of evidence that govern whether, when, how, and for what purpose, various forms of proof may be placed before a judge or jury for consideration. The factors that govern these rules are: relevance, privilege, witnesses, opinions, expert testimony, hearsay, authenticity, identification and rules of physical evidence.
The purpose behind all of this is to be fair to both sides, so that what comes up in court has a basis in provable facts.
We have just heard the reading of the Passion from St. Matthew’s Gospel. A story familiar to all of us, and as always, read for Palm Sunday ... at the beginning of Holy Week. And we will hear the Passion from St. John’s Gospel on Good Friday, at the end of Holy Week.
We have heard the story many times ... we know the facts ... and we believe them to be true.
The Opening Prayer for today’s liturgy speaks of the “example of humility” given to us by Jesus coming in the flesh ... and suffering on the Cross.
The word here rendered as “example” has a deeper meaning, namely, that of “a past event with such authoritative force that it transforms [those] who would imitate it.”
The prayer ends by referring to the “lesson of patient suffering” that might lead us to share in Christ’s resurrection.
The word translated as “lesson” can also mean “evidence.”
The testimony is there for us to judge. The evidence of God’s generous example of humility and Christ’s perseverance in fulfilling His mission to save humanity ... so that we might come to share in the divine life of the Trinity ... through the action of God’s grace, and God’s love, and God’s mercy.
There is less than a week left in Lent. We have now entered into Holy Week. Now is the moment for all of us to allow the evidence of Jesus’ perseverance in His passion to transform us ... to imitate the example of Jesus’ humility - the humility that overcomes sin and death ... the humility that can transform our lives ... so that we might share in the glory of His resurrection.
As we continue in this sacred liturgy, offering the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit ... let us embrace the humility of God as shown in this final act in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. May His heroic example serve to transform us all, through God’s grace, so that we might provide evidence in our own lives of the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection.
APRIL 5, 2020
ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS
In a court of law, there are rules of evidence that govern whether, when, how, and for what purpose, various forms of proof may be placed before a judge or jury for consideration. The factors that govern these rules are: relevance, privilege, witnesses, opinions, expert testimony, hearsay, authenticity, identification and rules of physical evidence.
The purpose behind all of this is to be fair to both sides, so that what comes up in court has a basis in provable facts.
We have just heard the reading of the Passion from St. Matthew’s Gospel. A story familiar to all of us, and as always, read for Palm Sunday ... at the beginning of Holy Week. And we will hear the Passion from St. John’s Gospel on Good Friday, at the end of Holy Week.
We have heard the story many times ... we know the facts ... and we believe them to be true.
The Opening Prayer for today’s liturgy speaks of the “example of humility” given to us by Jesus coming in the flesh ... and suffering on the Cross.
The word here rendered as “example” has a deeper meaning, namely, that of “a past event with such authoritative force that it transforms [those] who would imitate it.”
The prayer ends by referring to the “lesson of patient suffering” that might lead us to share in Christ’s resurrection.
The word translated as “lesson” can also mean “evidence.”
The testimony is there for us to judge. The evidence of God’s generous example of humility and Christ’s perseverance in fulfilling His mission to save humanity ... so that we might come to share in the divine life of the Trinity ... through the action of God’s grace, and God’s love, and God’s mercy.
There is less than a week left in Lent. We have now entered into Holy Week. Now is the moment for all of us to allow the evidence of Jesus’ perseverance in His passion to transform us ... to imitate the example of Jesus’ humility - the humility that overcomes sin and death ... the humility that can transform our lives ... so that we might share in the glory of His resurrection.
As we continue in this sacred liturgy, offering the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit ... let us embrace the humility of God as shown in this final act in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. May His heroic example serve to transform us all, through God’s grace, so that we might provide evidence in our own lives of the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection.
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