Holy Week 2021: Updates, reflections, livestreamed Masses

The UP CRL Midweek Lenten Reflection Service was held Wednesday, March 31. The online worship reflected on the theme: ‘Get going… let God. The main sharer was Ptr Marchilla Garbin.

The UP Church of the Risen Lord is a campus ecumenical ministry of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

This will be an online recollection on Pope Francis’ Lenten Message 2021 –“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem.” on Wednesday evening, March 31.

The sharer is Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, prefect, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in the Vatican.

Kasabay ng paggunita ng ating mga kapanalig sa Semana Santa, ay ang panawagan na isabuhay ang pagtutulungan lalo sa gitna ng krisis na pinagdadaanan.

Sa panayam ng Radyo Veritas kay Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Administrator ng Archdiocese of Manila, nanawagan ito sa mga mananamplataya na magtulungan at magmalasakit sa kapwa sa kabila ng ating pinagdadaanang pandemya at muling pagsasailalim sa mahigpit na quarantine measures ng ilang mga siyudad at lalawigan.

Ayon kay Bishop Pabillo marami ang nawalan ng trabaho at nangangailangan ng tulong kaya naman kumikilos na ang Simbahan para tulungan ang mga mahihirap.

Inihayag ng Obispo na inabisuhan na niya ang mga kaparian sa Archdiocese of Manila na magsagawa ng mga “act of charity” sa Huwebes Santo o Maundy Thursday.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, apostolic administrator of Manila delivers his homily during Chrism Mass at the Manila Cathedral.#ChrismMass #HolyWednesday#rcamaoc pic.twitter.com/wcGAkCqr5a

— rcamaoc (@rcamaoc) March 31, 2021

“Dito po sa Archdiocese of Manila gumawa kami ng sulat na lahat ng nakolekta ng mga Parokya ay pwede nila gamitin para ibigay ng tulong sa mga mahihirap lalong-lalo na po sa Holy Thursday. Ang tawag po sa Holy Thursday ay Maundy Thursday. Ibig sabihin that’s day when the Lord gave his commandments to love and to love one another. Kaya yan po ay araw ng charity kaya sinabi ko sa mga parokya natin sa Archdiocese of Manila na sa araw na ito ay gamitin ang Alay Kapwa collection natin sa mga nakaraan at dagdagan pa kung meron pang gusto mag-donate upang mamigay pa tayo ng ayuda sa mga mahihirap sa loob ng ating mga Parokya.” pahayag ni Bishop Pabillo

Naniniwala si Bishop Pabillo na dahil din sa pagpapatupad ng Enhanced Community Quarantine sa Metro Manila at karatig lalawigan ay pinaka naapektuhan ang mga umaasa sa arawang kita.

“Hindi na sila puwede lumabas ng mga bahay kaya ngayon dapat natin silang tulungan. Kaya dito sa Sto Niño de Tondo mamimigay na kami ng mga ayuda. Na identify na yun mga mahihirap na pamilya saka dahan-dahan sa Thursday may mabibigay tayo sa kanila” paliwanag ni Bishop Pabillo.

Umapela din ang Obispo sa mananampalataya na huwag mawalan ng pag-asa at patuloy na kumapit sa Poong Maykapal.

“Hindi naman nagpapabaya ang Diyos. Kaya dito nga mas lalo tayo kumapit sa kanya na hindi nya tayo pababayaan. Nakiktia natin ngayon parang ang dami natin problema. Pero balikan natin ang ating kasaysayan. May mga panahon na parang ganito din ang nangyayari at ang mga tao nag-tiyaga at na overcome naman natin. Mao-overcome din natin ito. Hindi tayo pababayaan. Kaya nga sa mga ganito ang Diyos ay nakakatulong sa mga nangangailangan sa pamamagitan natin… Let us look at ourselves as instruments of God’s love for the people,” pahayag ng Obispo

Noong Lunes Santo isinagawa ang Alay Kapwa Telethon ng Caritas Manila sa Radyo Veritas kung saan sa loob ng 11 oras ay nakalikom ito ng mahigit sa P4 milyon na siyang gagamitin para sa patuloy na pagtulong ng mga mahihirap at mga nangangailangan.

@CaritasManila holds Alay Kapwa Telethonhttps://t.co/n18MfBkCdz#CaritasManila #ArchdioceseofManila#AlayKapwa #rcamaoc pic.twitter.com/moox9kJX6b

— rcamaoc (@rcamaoc) March 30, 2021

A line, a phrase,
A thought, a feeling,
An epiphany of grace;
A view, a smell,
An instant of reassurance 
That all will be well.

In the pandemic of uncertainty 
And stripping torment;
Seeking the clarity
Of a transfiguring moment;
A resurrecting belief 
In a season that’s lent.

Bewildering to the mind
Kindred hearts unkind; 
As Margaret ponders a fallen leaf
And comes to terms with her grief;
Still.  We find enough love and knowing
To look forward to our mourning.

Wednesday in Holy Week (Mt.26:14-25)

Previously, we talked about what it means to be a betrayer. It is one of the worst thing that can happen to a family, a community or even a nation. There can be no peace, unity, order, harmony and prosperity were cheaters, deceivers, double crossers liars abound. Corruption will be at its deepest destructive self.

Our gospel is about Judas betraying Jesus. Even before the celebration of the last Supper, Judas had already sold Jesus to the chief Priests for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus was aware of the betrayal and he sadly tells his disciples at the last supper: “Amen I say to you one of you will betray me.” But Judas hypocritically asks Jesus: “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” What happened to Judas? What led him to betray Jesus, his Master, who was exemplary both in words and deeds?

Many Bible commentaries said that Judas had three possible reasons why he betrayed Jesus:

Firstly they say that Judas was motivated by greed. Do you still remember his words to Mary who washed the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume? Judas protested against that act.

He said that the perfume could have been sold for a good price and the poor could benefit from it. But John made the comment that Judas was a thief and had no concern for the poor.

Secondly, his admiration for Jesus as Teacher and miracle worker turned to disillusion and disappointment. Judas pictured Jesus as the political leader who would redeem the Jews from the power of the Romans. He could not imagine Jesus with all the powers he had would die on the cross.

Thirdly, Judas came from a highly nationalistic family. He expected Jesus to be a nationalist but the Lord rejects this role. Because of this, he chose to betray Jesus.

Today, we are asked to examine ourselves in the light of God’s truth and grace and ask ourselves: How have we lied, betrayed, cheated, double crossed Jesus in our life?

These remaining days of Holy Week are moments of grace for us. What is that sin that we have to uproot in our life if we can begin to be honest, loyal and faithful disciple of Jesus? Every sin that we commit against ourselves and against the others is a betrayer of the love of Jesus for us. The Lord tells us: “What so ever you do to others, you did it to me!”

The fruit of the Season of Lent in us should be the death of sin and the resurrection of Jesus in our lives. We should be able to shout the words of St.Paul: “It is no longer I who lives but Jesus living in me!

Word of Life : Fidelity is the wife of Honesty.
Justice, Patience, Understanding, and Perseverance
are their sons and daughters.

Fr David Buenaventura is a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco. At present, he is Center Director at Don Bosco Pugad.

The following is a reflection of Ptr Gerardo V. Agoncillo of GCF Northwest.

𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦. (𝘷. 8)

People who leave their homes expose themselves to dangers and risks. The analogy presented in this proverb was a bird that strays from its nest. The word “strays” that was mentioned two times means “to flee,” “to depart,” or “to wander.” Both applied to the bird and man in regard to their nest and home, respectively. Just like birds with their nests, our homes serve as our place of safety, security, and comfort. It’s where we are best protected and provided. Most importantly for people, homes are where we first develop and deepen relationships not just with our family members but also with God. Naturally, we do not leave, much more wander away from our place of safety and security without better and greater purpose.

Reflection Questions: I encourage you to write your insights and answers to the questions in your own journal (electronic or hard copy).

• Have you been away from your home or family for an extended period?
• What was your reason for leaving?
• If you have been reunited, would you leave again?
• For what purpose?
• Have you wandered from your faith in God? If yes, what led you to do that?
• Have you considered yourself spiritually at home? What are your bases for saying so?

The God Who Stays

A wanderer is always in danger, both physically and spiritually. We must always stay in the faith and feel at home with God who stays and stands for our safety, security, and stability.

GCF Northwest is part and in fellowship with all Greenhills Christian Fellowship churches. It is affiliated with Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines and is a member of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.

Watch ‘Ama Namin: D’Word Lenten Youth Recollection’ set Holy Tuesday evening, March 30, hosted by the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Parish.

Fr. Francis Gustilo of the Salesians of Don Bosco will be the recollection speaker.

In his introduction, Gustilo said: “I am Fr Francis Gustilo, SDB. I am a Filipino Don Bosco priest undeservedly gifted by God to teach and reflect about Him and His deepest desires for His beloved sons and daughters.”

Watch the “Ninth of the 7 Sorrows of the Virgin Mary” prayers 5 pm, Holy Tuesday, March 30, at the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish in Project 4.

The OLMMP, or Parokya ng Birhen Medalla Milagrosa, is under the Diocese of Cubao.