We continue this time of appearsnces by the Risen Lord. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene at the tomb. Jesus calls her by name. She then revognizes it is Jesus. Jesus tells her to go and tell the disciples. This is OUR DAILY MISSION to tell others the Lord is risen! Each day we are invited to see and witness that Jesus is ALIVE!

The days after the Resurrection are days of appearance by the Risen Lord. This first appearance is to the women who came to anoint the body of Jesus. There was no body-- Jesus is risen! Jesus appears to the women and tell them to report to the Disciples the Good News-- JESUS HAS BEEN RAISED! These women are the first evangelizers. This is our DAILY vocation-- tell and the world JESUS IS ALIVE!!! We are NOT TO BE AFRAID. Jesus' peace is within us. The perfect love of God drives out all fear.

Jesus is no longer to be found among the dead-- HE IS RISEN! The Cross is God's victory over the Evil One; God's victory over sin and death. Why is Mary Magdalene the first to encounter the Risen Lord? What does this mean for us?

Holy Saturday is a day of vigil. It is a time of patient hope. We do not wait passively, but we wait with eager longing for the BEST of news-- He is RISEN! God is faithful. Holy Saturday invites us to pray for our deceased loved ones. The Cross of Jesus is NOT the victory of the Evil One. THE CROSS IS GOD'S VICTORY OVER SIN AND ETERNAL DEATH! AND IN CHRIST IT IS OUR VICTORY AS WELL!!!

Good Friday is the most solemn day in the Church year. It is the only day in which Mass is not offered. It is a day of meditation. Let us meditate on the Way of the Cross. Give special attention to Simon of Cyrene. Simon was pressed in carrying the Cross. What does this mean for us on this GOOD FRIDAY?

Holy Thursday opens the three most solemn days of the Church year-- Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. These are sacred days in hope filled preperation for for glorious message of EASTER He is RISEN! Jesus washes the disciples' feet... Why? What does this mean for US and the CHURCH? This episode reflects on the deep TRUTH of Jesus' 'Parable in Action'.

Today is Spy Wednesday, the day in which Judas betrays Jesus to the religious authorities for the 30 pieces of silver. Every sin is a betryal of Jesus. Yet Jesus continues to show mercy if we express contrition from the heart and firmly resolve to amend the life entrusted to us. Let us today reject the Evil One and walk in faithful dizcipleship with our Lord and Savior.

The morsel at the Passover Meal is first offered to the guest who is most honored and in NEED OF FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION. Jesus gives the first morsel to Judas! How shocking! Or is it? This episode discusses the deep meanig of Jesus' action and its meaning for US. Also, the interaction between Jesus and Peter deserve comment.

Jesus came to love, heal, and forgive. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus anoints the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair. This act of love reveals the UNBOUNDED LOVE OF GOD FOR US and the invitation to bring the Divine Love to our everyday world. We are called to pour ourselves out in loving service in communion with the Jesus of the Cross.

The beginning of Holy Week is the triumphal entery of Jesus in the holy city of Jerusalem. Yet today is as the day we resd THE PASSION. In 5 short days the crowd of "Hosanna" will cry, "Crucify him!" We cannot know the Christ of Easter without the Jesus of Good Friday. The Crown and the Cross are one. Such is the mystery of Redemption. May we be found beneath the Cross so as to be present at the EMPTY TOMB.