Dear Parishioners,

Happy Easter to you all! Palm Sunday began festivities marking the beginning of Holy week. The chief event of Palm Sunday was the commemoration of Jesus's triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey to accomplish his work of redemption through his willful suffering, death, and resurrection. The readings of Palm Sunday and of the days of Holy week presented opportunities for us to meditate on the words and deeds of the Lord in the last days of his earthly life. He showed love and mercy in abundance to humanity. By his wounds we are healed.

The Easter Triduum began with the Last Supper meal during which three events were commemorated - the institution of the Eucharist; the ordination of the apostles and the call to service shown in the washing of the feet of the apostles. This day is the anniversary of all the priests for it was then that the institution of the Sacrament of Ordination was put in place.

Then followed Good Friday, the day of the suffering, crucifixion and death of our Savior Jesus Christ. Mass was not celebrated on this day. Our ceremonies were divided into four parts - the readings, and particularly the Passion Narrative according to St. John, the beloved apostles; the Solemn Intercessions; the Adoration of the Holy Cross; and Holy Communion.

Then came Holy Saturday, the day the faithful came together to keep vigil. We began with the Solemn Beginning of the Vigil; the Easter Proclamation; the Liturgy of the Word; the Blessing of Water; Renewal of Baptismal Promises and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We must note that Jesus’ passion is the Supreme sign of love and Mercy of God the Father that also maps out the road which every faithful and submissive servant and disciple of Christ must follow.  We are challenged by the ceremonies and festivities of Holy Week and Easter to be resolved not to betray Christ's love for us and his kingship over our lives. We betray his love and kingship by deliberate sinning for an untransformed life defeats the passion he went through for our sake. These events also remind us that humility is strength in the eyes of God. By it, Devil is defeated. Always remember, pride goes before the fall. The course of Christ is the path of every disciple worth the name. The Good News is that no course for Christ ends in vain. However, it is only when we readily accept and commit ourselves and endure its challenges that we see at the end the hidden joy behind our sacrifices. 

May the just ended Holy week and this Easter Solemnity be for each one of us, deeper experiences of Divine Mercy and love. And may we emerge joyous, loving, peaceful and hopeful than ever before. 

Amen. 

Happy Easter to you all!