Simple Diakonia

"I am the good shepherd."

Reflection:

Jesus is truth, strength, and protection. Under his care, faith sanctifies frailty; hope overcomes darkness; charity provides shelter.

Today's Intention

Lord, be my shepherd today and always.

Peace and Goodness

"Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised." (Mark 16:6)

Reflection

Holy Saturday is hope; the time of the Resurrection. Jesus has overcome sin and death. Let us rejoice, for today, salvation has come to us through the water and blood of our Lord.

Today's Intention

Jesus, your Resurrection is the hope of our lives, the never-ending light. Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us.

Peace and Goodness

Reflection

Good Friday is the affirmation of faith.

There are many aspects of our lives that are always not in our control. Some of them cause us a great deal of inconvenience and, at times, sorrow. Jesus on the Cross shows us that no one is immune from life's perils and injustice. However, when we place our trust in God, life's trials offer transformation and redemption.

Today's Intention

Lord Jesus, you give us the Passion as a sign of trust in your Father and the Holy Spirit. We ask that you move our hearts with the same grace of faith.

Peace and Goodness

"I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do." (John 13:15)

Reflection

The foundation of Holy Thursday is charity.

Aware of the certainty of the Cross and confident in his victory over death, Jesus focused on what he did throughout his ministry, serving others. He taught a model of service to his disciples by washing their feet, the lowest of a servant's duties at the time.

Today's Intention

May we be blessed this the Holy Thursday, O Lord, with the graces of charity, which flow from the Father through the Holy Spirit.

Peace and Goodness

The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced." (Isaiah 50:7)

Reflection

Fear is death when humiliation is its cause. When we place our faith in God, however, disgrace produces life. The Word of God humbled Himself that we may live. He embraced dishonor in exchange for our redemption.

Holy Week symbolizes victory over humiliation. The overcoming of light over darkness, life over death.

Today's Intention

O Lord, walk with us this Holy Week. May we do not let disgrace prevent us from living our faith.

Peace and Goodness

"I will make you a light to the nations,

that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6)

Reflection

We hear it over and over again, yet sometimes we do not get it. Jesus' servant mission was universal. He is the shepherd of every child. Despite what we may imagine, Jesus is the savior for all. Holy Week is the light that shines on that truth.

Today's Intention

Jesus, help us to become a light of salvation this Holy Week and beyond.

Peace and Goodness

"Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one with whom I am pleased." (Isaiah 42:1)

Reflection

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week affirms obedience to the Father.

Holy Week fulfills God's promise of salvation.

Holy Week models the perfect sacrifice of service.

Holy Week unites our human suffering with the divine.

Holy Week gathers the lost and the scattered sheep.

Holy Week celebrates victory over sin and death.

Holy Week is Jesus, and in him, Holy Week is us.

Today's Intention

O God, may we too be pleasing to you this Holy Week and always.

Peace and Goodness

"Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields." (Mark 11:8)

Reflection

Did you hear? The Messiah has entered Jerusalem.

Come, let us honor him. Bring your palm leaves.

Let us shout: "Jesus Christ is Lord!"

Did you hear? A woman poured perfumed oil on Jesus’ head.

Together with his disciples, Jesus broke bread.

What can we do to prepare him for his death?

Did you hear? One of his disciples betrayed Jesus; another one denied him.

He rests crucified now. He has died so that we may live.

Come, let us join Mary and John at the foot of the cross.

Today's Intention

Thank you, Lord, for humbling yourself; for sharing our humanity so that we may share your divinity. Following your Father's will, may the Holy Spirit fills us with a sense of mystery, worship, and prayer this Holy Week.

Peace and Goodness

"he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not only for the nation, but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God." (John 11:51-52)

Reflection

Passover is upon us; the Lenten season is approaching its fullness. A day when Jesus willingly offered himself as a spotless lamb, establishing a new Passover of salvation. One sacrifice to unite us all, the near and the far.

Today's Intention

Jesus, Son of the living God, you established a new Passover of eternal life to those who believe. May we praise you eternally for your priestly offering of redemption.

Peace and Goodness

"The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63)

Reflection

From Scriptures flow Redemption, for from them flow spirit and life. Spirit because the Divine inspired them, spoke them, fulfilled them. Life because through them and in them Resurrection has come to us.

Today's Intention

O Lord, your words are spirit and life. May they bless our Lenten journey and beyond.

Peace and Goodness