Monday, March 30th, 2026

This Passion/Palm Sunday we witnessed Jesus, as King, entering Jerusalem. One
thing that struck me this year when taking part of the Passion reading from
Gospel. I noted by Jesus’ questions, answers, and times of silence, He is in total
control of each situation that will lead Him to do His Father’s Will leading to the
Cross and Resurrection. As we move towards the Triduum:

The Three days of the Triduum is one Liturgy, One Movement. We begin with Holy
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper, and will then visit Jesus in the garden where we
will keep watch with Him. No final post Communion Blessing until the Easter
Vigil.

Holy Thursday – Take and Eat: This is my body (Institution of the
Priesthood/Eucharist/Mass). Jesus strays from the Seder script (Passover Meal) and
institutes the Eucharist so that we might receive Him now. – Mass is a union with God
(An Indwelling) – In Love God desires to walk with us now, in the present.

Good Friday - On the Cross Jesus gives Himself as a total gift. He gives everything. He
gives His life - All for love – What you see on the Cross is the greatest act of love,
because the Father, out of love, sent the Son all the way into our human condition - In
that sense, the Cross was necessary for our salvation since it allowed Jesus to enter
into, and redeem every aspect of our human condition and experiences – For God is
Love.

Holy Saturday – We wait - In Silence - Where is the King who gave us Himself?
-The Tomb / This mourn and day Jesus is bestowing Grace on those who have died
who have been awaiting the Resurrection.

Easter Vigil – The Empty Tomb, leads us to the day of the Resurrection. We share in
Glory given to the eyewitnesses who have seen the risen Lord – In Baptism (We enter
into the death and resurrection of Jesus) – Confirmation (The fullness and sealing of the
Holy Spirit received in Baptism) – The reception of the author of Love – Jesus’ very
Presence in the Holy Eucharist – An Indwelling of Jesus, who is the light and our life
and has defeated death and sin.

-Salvation History simply allows for God, who loves Israel, to show the world His
fullness (Becoming man) and fulfilling the covenant through the Church & Shows us a
Father’s love through His Son’s sacrifice for each of us – He desires us to know a person –
who is transcendent and intimate – otherworldly – but close – God is Love.
God begins with Israel and slowly reveals Himself...From Genesis and creation to the
Gospels and the eyewitnesses...From Transcendence to Intimacy.

-Note how the Covenantal Signs move from external to the interior of the heart.

-Noah (Rainbow); Abraham (Circumcision); Moses (Law); Jesus (Law and Circumcision
is now interior and written on the human heart).

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-Also note how God spoke through various people (Moses, Prophets – and now Himself
through the Son, Jesus).

-The Incarnation (Jesus becoming man) is the game changer: We have now seen God
though Jesus. We can come to know God and Receive Him (taste, touch & see)
through the Sacraments and Liturgy) / Jesus through the Spirit makes God real and
present.

-This Easter is a Reminder; Jesus desires to nourish you throughout the year in the
Sacramental life of the Church – In Sanctifying Grace – moving us each day towards a
wholeness of life, Spirit, and Being - Jesus wants you to know Him...

To touch you – Heal you – Give you purpose & hope – To give you LIFE and no longer
fear death.

And after I take a short rest I may in mid-April speak of how we, to this day, have no
logical explanations for an empty tomb, other than the Resurrection.

Vivat Jesus,
Fr. Vic Gournas