Because of Jesus, no day is wasted. In Jesus, every season of life — whether it be joyful or painful — can become an opportunity for meaning and transformation. When we unite our experiences to those of Christ, life itself takes on new perspectives and meaning.
 
Readings at this Mass: Acts 10:34a, 37–43 | 1 Cor 5:6b–8 | Jn 20:1–9

Our Lord made the journey to Mount Calvary to take on the sins committed by every human being in the past, present, and future. Tonight, as we journey with Him, is the night to recommit ourselves to live out our identity as Christians; to yearn for the Eucharist, the life-giving and eternal food; and to lay down our lives for one another in service, forgiving faults, and creating peace.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 52:13—53:12 | Heb 4:14–16; 5:7–9 | Jn 18:1—19:42

God wants to touch your life. To wash your feet. To change your heart. These days aren’t just about remembering what happened to Jesus 2000 years ago. In a very mysterious but real way, they’re about becoming present to Jesus, allowing him to draw us along the path of his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 12:1–8, 11–14 | 1 Cor 11:23–26 | Jn 13:1–15

Jesus' ambiguous answer to the question of who He was should also be a challenge for us: do we call Him our King, our Savior, our God? Do we see Him in all moments of our lives? In whatever way we suffer, do we unite our suffering to that of His? Or do we glorify Him only in the good moments, and put the blame on Him when we are suffering, when we are alone and afraid, when we feel abandoned and rejected?
 
Readings at this Mass: Lk 19:28–40 | Is 50:4–7 | Phil 2:6–11 | Lk 22:14—23:56 

Judgment is a very dangerous thing. I’m not talking about judging choices, attitudes, or actions, but judging hearts. Condemning and dismissing others. Ridiculing and dehumanizing them. Using them. When we do that, we put ourselves in God’s place — and God takes that very seriously. Only God can judge the heart, because only God can see the heart. Let’s remember that when we’re angry or frustrated or annoyed this week — for the sake of our relationships and for our own sake.
 
Readings at this Mass: Is 43:16–21 |  Phil 3:8–14 |  Jn 8:1–11

Our heavenly Father is always seeking us out. He made us for communion with Him and with one another. And when we sin, we break that communion. That’s why every Mass begins with a confession of sin — not because we’ve already made everything right, but because turning back to the Father opens the door for His embrace. God offers us second chances (and third, and fourth, and as many as we need) to come to our senses and return to Him. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was given to us by Jesus for exactly this purpose: to restore and preserve our communion with the Father. And when we turn back toward Him, He comes running toward us.
 
Readings at this Mass: Jos 5:9a, 10–12 | 2 Cor 5:17–21 | Lk 15:1–3, 11–32

Praying, fasting, and almsgiving are the remedy for inner peace, helping us to imitate the good things that belong to God. Putting effort into praying, fasting, and almsgiving assists us in staying constant in our relationship with God, while also strengthening our conscience, soul, mind, and heart to be always at ease and in peace. If we consistently and intentionally fertilize our soul, our mind, and our heart with these three disciplinary acts, we will be freed from disordered affections and instead yield the beautiful fruits of a good conscience.
 
Readings at this Mass: Ex 3:1–8a | 1 Cor 10:1–6, 10–12 | Lk 13:1–9 

Fr. Columba Jordan notes that most of us have little pauses in our day that pop up naturally: we're stopped at a stoplight, waiting for the kids to get out of practice, waiting in line at Starbucks, etc. Those are opportunities when we can practice turning our attention inward for just a minute or so, to listen to God. It’s not much at first, but when you make this a habit, you start to become aware of God’s voice.
 
Readings at this Mass: Gn 15:5–12, 17–18 | Phil 3:17—4:1 | Lk 9:28b–36