Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Christ has conquered sin and destroyed death, yet the power of His Resurrection is still being brought to fulfillment in our earthly history. Like a small seed of light, that fulfillment has been entrusted to us, to protect it and make it grow." - Pope Francis

"I Will Sing Unto The Lord (The Horse And Rider)"

As we continue our observance of Holy Saturday, I offer this version of the Choir of Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi, India presenting "I Will Sing Unto The Lord (The Horse And Rider)":

 

Holy Saturday

Today the Church celebrates Holy Saturday, a day reflecting the time Jesus' body lay in the tomb. The day closes with the Easter Vigil celebration.

Related reflections/commentaries:

Catholic Daily Reflections: Holy Saturday with Mother Mary (7 APR 23)

Word on Fire: Holy Saturday People (8 APR 23)

Aleteia: Cerith Gardiner: 7 Simple ways to prepare for Easter Sunday like Maria von Trapp (15 APR 22)

Aleteia: Philip Ksloski: Why Holy Saturday is a day of prayer and silence (19 APR 25)

National Catholic Register: Commentaries: Father Raymond J. de Souza: The Holy Week Shadows of St. Joseph: Holy Saturday (3 APR 21)

Dominicana: Awake, O Sleeper! (30 MAR 24) 

Fr. Dwight Longenecker: Holy Saturday and Lord of the Rings (3 APR 21)

The Catholic Thing: The King Sleeps (11 APR 20)

Well Done, Joe!!!

Son Joseph participated in today's American Lung Associations' Fight for Air Climb in Providence, RI. His fund raising goal was $3.000, and, as of this writing, he reach $3180.00.  He also did well in the actual climb, with a time of 2:23.7, finishing #19 out of 222 individual participants and #4 in his age group - males age 40-49. Well done, Joe!!!

Many Dioceses Seeing More Converts to Catholic Faith

"For the Burns family, the path to the Catholic Church this Easter vigil started with a funeral. . . .

"They are part of a bumper crop in the Diocese of Cleveland, which expects 812 converts at Eastertime 2025, which is about 50% higher than in 2024 (542) and about 75% higher than in 2023 (465). It's so high that the diocese had to move its Rite of Election - during which prospective converts meet with the bishop near the beginning of Lent to declare their intention to join the Church - to the city’s Public Auditorium and Conference Center, because the cathedral wasn't big enough to accommodate the nearly 3,000 attendants, including converts, sponsors, family and friends, according to Nancy Fishburn, the diocese's executive director of communications.

"Cleveland is part of what appears to be a spike in conversions in various parts of the United States."

A recent National Catholic Register article reported on this increase and on some of the factors involved, including the Eucharistic Revival and various forms of outreach.

To access this National Catholic Register report, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Welcome Home: Many Dioceses See Sharp Growth in Converts to Catholic Faith This Easter (17 APR 25)

Birthday Blessings, Frank!!!

Birthday greetings to Frank Perterson, son Adam's father-in-law, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessing on the various foods as we prepare for the Easter celebration.

Tim Clark on the Lord Having Need of It

"'If anyone asks you, "Why are you untying it?" you shall say this, "The Lord has need of it."'  - Luke 19:30

"I am haunted by these words.

"In the context of the Passion narrative, as we read it on Palm Sunday, perhaps we may see these words as a small detail in the overall story of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. However, it is worth noting that all three synoptic Gospels mention Jesus' words, and they are nearly identical to each other. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer John Clark reflected on how each of the Lord's needs in His earthly ministry work to fulfill the purpose ofHis  coming closer to us.

To access Mr. Clark's complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Tim Clark: The Lord Has Need of It (18 APR 25)

Reflection Starter from Mother Teresa

"Holiness is not the luxury of the few; it is a simple duty for each one of us." - Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)

"Stabat Mater"

As we continue our observance of Good Friday, I offer this version of "Stabat Mater":

 

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion

Today the Church celebrates Good Friday of the Lord's Passion. The assigned readings are Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; and John 18:1-19:42. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 31 (Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm, please visit:

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm 2025 – Good Friday – Psalm

Reflections on these readings and this day:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: John Grondelski: 5 Things to Know About the Liturgy for Good Friday (29 MAR 24)

Community in Mission: Finding the Good in Good Friday (2 APR 15)

Community in Mission: Why Did Christ Die in Jerusalem? And, Why Outside the City Gate, Not in the Temple (4 APR 23)

The Deacon's Bench: On Christ's Seven Last Words: "They offer one final sermon on a mount, a lasting message of forgiveness and mercy" (2 APR 15)

YouTube: Ascension Presents: Good Friday: The Meaning of the Cross

YouTube: Bishop Barron on the Power of the Cross

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for setting us free by Your cross and resurrection.