NKCC

Palm Sunday - The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem days before his Passion.

Jesus has reached Jerusalem today.  During this week, we will journey with Him through the climactic moments of His mission of His earthly life.  The liturgy today begins to unfold for us the Paschal Mystery which is the suffering, death, resurrection, and glorification of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel message of the Paschal Mystery will be proclaimed and celebrated during the Holy Triduum.

Please join the community in celebrating Holy Thursday which commemorates the Lord’s celebration of the Passover with His disciples.  During that feast, He washed the feet of His disciples to let them know that He was not only Teacher and Lord, but He was Servant.  We will carry out this tradition that has been handed on to us.  After the Holy Thursday Mass, the Blessed Sacrament will be removed from the tent and will repose in the Garden where all of you are invited to spend time with the Lord until midnight.

Good Friday follows with a day to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us.  He was willing to die on a cross that we might live in His love forever.  Please join us for Stations of the Cross at 2pm and our Good Friday Service at 7pm.

For the Elect, this is the final week of purification and enlightenment as they continue to prepare for that moment when they will be born through the waters of Baptism.  Each will put on Christ and begin a new life.  I will lead them in reciting their Baptismal vows before the faith community to which they have asked to belong.  We will rejoice and pledge our continued support for them.  Like ourselves, we remind them that this is just the beginning in their life-long movement toward conversion.

On the Night of Nights when Heaven meets Earth, however, each of us is called to recommit ourselves to the message of the Gospel by renewing our own Baptismal vows.  We have spent the Lenten Season preparing for this rebirth in Christ.  Every Easter, we repeat these promises in the presence of our One Catholic ‘Ohana.

Every person knows when his or her birthday occurs.  Many look forward to these occasions with great anticipation.  They are certainly days to celebrate with joy.  Anniversaries of life events are very important to most of us.  Do you know the date when you were baptized?  That was actually the most significant day of your life.  On your Baptismal day, you realized the hope for salvation.  I ask each of you to learn the date of your own Baptism and celebrate that day each year.

Keep watch and pray - Fr. Lio