Fr. Ken's Pastoral Care

The Lord's Supper Readings: Exodus 12:1-8.11-14; Psalm 116; 1Corinthians 1123-26 and John 13:1-15.  WHY DO JEWS RETURNS HOME FOR THE PASSOVER?    The journey we began on Ash Wednesday is gradually coming to its climax as we begin the paschal Triduum tonight. The Triduum is a long liturgical celebration that last for three days, beginning with the Last Supper, which has three dimensions: the institution of the Eucharist; institution of the Sacred Priesthood and promulgation of the new commandment to love. The Triduum continues tomorrow with the passion of the Lord and veneration of the cross. Finally, it comes to its climax with the Easter vigil, the night when Christ the light will break through darkness.   The Last Supper was celebrated in the context of the Jewish Passover meal and tonight’s first reading explains the meaning of this feast. It recalls the greatest saving act of God in the Old Testament, the exodus from Egypt, setting God’s people free from...

Palm branches Readings: Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11 and Mark 14:1-15:47.  HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED HUMILIATION?    Today we celebrate the last Sunday of lent in the church’s liturgical calendar. Today’s celebration begins the holy week, in which we have the climax of all liturgical celebrations, that is, the highest event in the history of salvation. This event begins with the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where Christ will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death as he had earlier announced to his disciples (Mt 20:18). In view of this, the liturgy of today presents Christ’s divinity and humanity, his ordeals, his humiliations, sufferings and finally his exaltation. This event establishes his Kingship and fulfils the prophecy of old.   The first reading from the prophet Isaiah speaks of the suffering servant, a foretelling of Christ’s passion, the servant of God who did not hide his face from spit...

We sacrifice for love Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5:7-9 and John 12:20-33.  WHAT WE DO FOR LOVE!     The season of lent is gradually coming to an end and the readings expresses this with the tone of the kerygma. It expresses the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. Christ giving his life for our sake is a clear manifestation of his love for us. As his followers, we have entered into covenant with him, but the question is, are we ready to sacrifice ourselves for him and others?   The first reading speaks of the glorious promise of the new covenant. The Lord says through the prophet Jeremiah, “ The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah… I will be their God and they shall be my people… I will forgive their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. ” God reveals the beautiful plan of redemption he has for Israel through series of covenants. Since the fall of man, God made...

Rejoice Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16.19-23; Psalm 137; Ephesians 2:4-10 and John 3:14-21. CAN WE  BOLDLY PRAY WITH TODAY’S PSALM? “IF I FORGET YOU JERUSALEM, LET MY RIGHT HAND WITHER?”    The entrance antiphon goes thus: “ Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast .” In a contrast tone, the Psalmist says, “If I forget you Jerusalem, let my right hand wither! O let my tongue cleave to my palate (mouth) if I remember you not…” (Ps 137:5-6); this brings to mind two phases of today’s liturgy, the wrath and compassion of God shown in the exile and the liberation of his people. With this, the Laetare Sunday sets the tone of a joyful anticipation of our salvation with a call to rejoice.   The wrath and compassion of God are evident in the first reading. The reading identifies three elements that brought down God’s judgment of the Israelites. They were unfaithful; they defiled the...

The Temple of Jerusalem Readings: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 and John 2:13-25.  CHRIST THE CENTER OF OUR WORSHIP   As we continue on our Lenten pilgrimage, we recall how we journeyed with Christ to the desert on the first Sunday of lent, where he fasted for forty days. The second Sunday, he took us to Mount Tabor, where he gave us a glimpse of his glory through his transfiguration and today, we are entering into the temple with Christ, so that we can have a true worship of God the Father.   The event of today took place in Jerusalem, specifically in the temple during the celebration of the feast of the Passover, otherwise known as the paschal sacrifice, customary offered for the people’s deliverance. The Passover is a celebration of liberation from Pharaoh, a symbol of adulatory and oppression. This is obvious in the first reading, taken from the Decalogue, the law given to Moses for Israel to help strengthen their relationship with God and t...