Housekeeping - Holy Week

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

20 Mar 2016 - Palm Sunday
21 Mar 2016 - Monday of Holy Week
22 Mar 2016 - Tuesday of Holy Week
23 Mar 2016 - Wednesday of Holy Week
24 Mar 2016 - Maundy (Holy) Thursday
25 Mar 2016 - Good Friday
26 Mar 2016 - Easter Vigil

Easter Vigil

At the beginning of every Easter Vigil, we are plunged into darkness. The darkness seems overwhelming. But soon, the darkness is defeated by the light of candles. Starting with one candle, the Paschal candle, the church is slowly illuminated by a sea of candles. Jesus is that single candle that gave the world a new vision and a new hope. Jesus reminds us that we no longer need be slaves of the darkness and that we no longer need be afraid of the dark. Jesus, the Light of the World, has come and defeated the darkness of sin and death.

In the readings, we begin with the creation story, where we see how God brings order to chaos. In our lives, we too may be experiencing chaos, but God brings order and harmony to our lives, if we submit ourselves to him. We then see how God leads His people from slavery in Egypt to freedom. We are reminded of how we too have passed through the waters of liberation through the waters of baptism. We have been set free from the power of sin, and are no longer slaves to sin unless we choose to remain as slaves. Some think that they are powerless when faced with their sinfulness, but God reminds us that we are no longer slaves. We are free because Christ's resurrection has set us free. So, shouldn't we begin to live as free men and women?

In every Easter Vigil, we are also reminded that death is not the end of life but the beginning of eternal life. Jesus has risen and has conquered death. Through Jesus we too can conquer death. Death no longer has a hold on us and we do not have to be afraid of death any longer. We are an Easter People and we should proclaim this great message of hope and joy. The light has overcome the darkness; order has overtaken chaos; freedom has triumphed over slavery; and eternal life is victorious over death. Let us no longer live lives as if there is no hope, since our hope is in the risen Lord, and let us share this message that "The Lord is risen" to all around us.

Housekeeping - Holy Week

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

29 March 2015 - Palm Sunday
30 March 2015 - Monday of Holy Week
31 March 2015 - Tuesday of Holy Week
1 April 2015 - Wednesday of holy Week
2 April 2015 - Maundy (Holy) Thursday
3 April 2015 - Good Friday
4 April 2015 - Easter Vigil

Easter Vigil

At every Easter Vigil, we proclaim that Jesus is risen. But do we really believe that Jesus is truly risen? Do we behave as an Easter people? Some of us still seem to live as if Jesus is still dead in the tomb; some of us still seem to live in darkness, as if we are still trapped by sin, despair, anger, fear and unforgiveness, and that the light of Christ had not come. Some of us still seem to remain in the tomb, preferring to drown ourselves in self-pity and preferring to blame God and others for our suffering and pain. When we do such things or live this way, we have actually failed to recognise that Jesus has truly risen.

But the fact of the matter is Jesus has risen! The readings today tell us that God has triumphed over chaos; has defeated the powers of darkness; has conquered sin and death; and has quenched our thirst with the waters of eternal life. The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen! When we were baptised, St. Paul reminds us that "we went into the tomb with Jesus and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.” In baptism, we are “dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus."

Thus, we are called to go forth and be witnesses of Christ's resurrection. God has conquered the powers of darkness through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. The empty tomb reminds us that life is greater than death; that at the end, suffering is not defeat but victory; and that God’s power is far greater, no matter how powerful evil, suffering and darkness may appear. Today, as an Easter people, let us proclaim this great message of hope and joy. Let us sing with conviction the song of Easter: Alleluia! Praise the Lord! The Lord has risen!

Housekeeping - Holy Week

For your easy reference, the following is a list of weeks and years with their corresponding date:

13 April 2014 - Palm Sunday
14 April 2014 - Monday of Holy Week
15 April 2014 - Tuesday of Holy Week
16 April 2014 - Wednesday of holy Week
17 April 2014 - Maundy (Holy) Thursday
18 April 2014 - Good Friday
19 April 2014 - Easter Vigil

Easter Vigil

Darkness... reminds us of the darkness of sin, the darkness of evil, the darkness of death, pain and suffering. Sometimes, the darkness seems so overbearing and overwhelming, death seems to be the end. Sometimes, our problems and suffering seem so unbearable that we feel like giving up. Darkness seems to rule us and seems to engulf us in a chasm of doom and despair.

However, this Easter Vigil night, no matter how dark the situation may seem be, no matter how bad things may seem to be, no matter how big the problem, no matter how powerful death and suffering may appear, none of these can defeat the power of the resurrection. Easter is our victory over darkness. Jesus is risen.

Let us therefore not behave like there is no hope, like this is the end, because tonight is a new beginning. Let us with renewed confidence and trust march on, for God is on our side. He has defeated death. He has won a great victory for us. Let us proclaim "alleluia" and share this good news to all the ends of the earth.