Maundy Thursday — Chrism Mass
Isa 61:1-3,6,8-9
Apo 1:5-8|
Lk 4:16-21
“This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.”
In the past five years, our world seems to have been very chaotic. We had the pandemic, there are wars in Europe and Middle East, and most recently, economic wars may be imminent. The thought of an impending recession may already be causing anxiety to many. Therefore, I feel that it’s such a blessing that the readings for Chrism Mass give us so much hope.
Jesus proclaimed that the poor will receive good news, the captives and downtrodden will be set free, and the blind will see. What’s more, he proclaimed of the coming of the Lord’s year of favour. And, as if he had foreseen that many people across time will experience desolation or even perhaps lose hope, he inspired the Holy Spirit to have it written, ‘This text is being fulfilled even as you listen.”
Perhaps, during this Triduum, God is inviting us to reflect on the hope that our Lord brings. He is reminding us that while our world may seem dark, there are still many good things happening. He is reminding us that God continues to pour out his graces into the world, even though we see a lot of negative events taking place. He is reminding us that he is continuing to bring goodness into the world, even now. And when tomorrow becomes today, the same outpouring of graces will still take place.
In tandem with proclaiming that there is hope, God is most likely inviting us to also spread hope. As we find hope while we carry our own crosses, God would be happy to see us striving not to be a cross to others, perhaps even helping others ease their carrying of crosses. This text is being fulfilled today, not just because God is pouring out graces in the world, it is also because he has entrusted us with the mission to help him bring good news to others – to give sight and freedom.
A world of love is what God has always wanted for all of us from the very beginning. A world of love is where God wants to take us. The hope he gives us is to assure us that the end goal has not changed.
And as we accompany our Lord in his Passion, I hope that we experience an overwhelming love so we can bring hope to the world.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)
Prayer: Lord, fill us with your love.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for assuring us that there is hope.
Bringing us the fullness of life
Maundy Thursday — Evening Mass
Exo 12:1-8,11-14
1 Cor 11:23-26
Jn 3:1-15
“…do this as a memorial of me.
As I was writing this reflection, I was led to reflect on a memorial acclamation used in the Eucharistic Prayer. I’m sharing the words below:
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life.
It got me reflecting what should we be remembering during the celebration of the Eucharist. I’m sure it’s endless because God has emptied himself for us. But perhaps today, we can reflect about death and life.
Why does the Church mention about restoring our life? Doesn’t it automatically mean that if you do not die, we live? I guess it’s not as simple as that. Before Jesus died for us, the souls of the good people remained in the bosom of Abraham. Their souls were alive. Their souls were not in a place of torment. But even though their souls are alive, they did not have the fullness of life.
Jesus said, ‘I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10). What does having the fullness of life mean? God is reminding us that just being alive is not enough. He also wants us to have life. And only in God can we have this fullness of life.
But how do we have the fullness of life? It’s when finally, we can see God face to face. While we are on earth, we will never have the fullness of life. There will always be this God-shaped hole in our lives that we will never be able to fill. It will only be filled when we finally reach heaven.
What is heaven? The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that heaven is the perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity.
This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity – this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed – is called “heaven.” Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfilment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness. (CCC 1024)
Without Jesus’s Passion, the souls of the good would never reach heaven. They would never be able to see God face to face. We must remember that Jesus’ sacrifice is not just about saving us from death. It is about us finally being able to live in communion with God in heaven – that is having the fullness of life.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Villa)
Prayer: Lord, teach me to fill this God-shaped hole in my heart while I’m on earth.
Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for making it possible for us to see you face to face.
OXYGEN 
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