Frater Constantino
April 13, 2024
3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 1 John 2:1-5 Luke 24:35-48 A. Text/Context • It must be remembered that after the crucifixion and death of Jesus, a very tense situation prevailed in Jerusalem • The 2 disciples on their way to Emmaus have now returned to the group in Jerusalem as their eyes were opened during the breaking of the bread that it was the Lord Jesus • But the disciples were still hiding because they were afraid of arrest from the authorities or else all of them will be in jail waiting for execution • They have no […]
April 6, 2024
2nd Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 4:32-35 1 John 5:1-6 John 20:19-31 A. Text/Context • The gospel today has two parts, the first part is the first appearance of Jesus to the ten disciples, and the second part is the second appearance of Jesus to the eleven disciples now including Thomas • It must be remembered that after the crucifixion and death of Jesus, a very tense situation prevailed in Jerusalem. There was a military crackdown like house arrests • The disciples were hiding because they were afraid of arrest from the authorities • They felt they were […]
March 30, 2024
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection Acts 10:34, 37-43 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9 A. Text/Context • The gospel today is full of signs and symbolism and the first sign is the darkness of the early morning • It reminds us of the first day of creation when there was only darkness in the universe. Let there be light and there was light. Jesus is the light of the human race and so we have the service of light last night sa atong Easter Vigil • The resurrection of Jesus is the hour of light that sheds brightness to the darkness […]
March 28, 2024
Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-15 Introduction In this mass of the Last Supper of our Lord there are 3 salient points and they are so important that they must be imparted to the faithful so that you may all know: the Institution of the Eucharist; the Institution of the priesthood; and the 3rd one which is so expressed by the humility of Jesus through the washing of the feet is the Exhortation of the Commandment to Love one Another or Brotherly Love. Jesus will soon be gone and so they must […]
March 23, 2024
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Mark 14:1-15:47 A. Text/Context • We have just heard a very long gospel about the passion or suffering of our Lord • During the 1st part of the liturgy which is the blessing of the palms we commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem • Jesus was mobbed by the people glorifying him yelling: Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest • The 1st part of the gospel is the praise […]
March 16, 2024
5th Sunday of Lent Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:7-9 John 12:20-33 A. Text/Context • During the time of Jesus, the Jews were already very popular when it comes to the practice of their religion we call Judaism • What makes the religion attractive to many people is because they believe in one God. In theology we call it monotheism or the belief of one God • And today in the gospel among the people who are attracted to their religion are the Greeks • We assume that the Greeks in this gospel are simply Greek merchants or travelers who happened to […]
March 8, 2024
(I would like to thank my website administrator Mr. Ernest Villariza for fixing this website. We’ve been through tremendous problems the past months before it is totally restored. Thank you Ernest. God bless you and your entire family.) Frater Constantino aka Fr. JDS. Introduction: Today is Laetare Sunday or the Sunday of Rejoicing which is quite inconsistent with the whole penitential season of lent where there is fasting, abstinence, remorse of conscience, sorrow or compunction for our sins or the general atmosphere being sad and forlorn as the liturgy requires it. But this is a reminder of what Jesus said […]
March 2, 2024
3rd Sunday of Lent Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 John 2:13-25 Text/Context So we hear Jesus spilled the coins of the merchants and overturned the tables and told them: Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace. It was an episode in Jerusalem Naturally, the higher authorities in the temple have to intervene and they asked: What sign can you show us for doing this? Jesus answered: Destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days The answer of Jesus is not the one that the authorities are expecting What is really the reason why is it that […]
February 25, 2024
2nd Sunday of Lent Transfiguration Genesis 22:1-2, 9:10-13, 15-18 Romans 8:31-34 Mark 9:2-10 Text/Context The gospel today describes us of the transfiguration of Jesus when the whole countenance of the Lord became so beautiful and radiant and dazzling in white Then a cloud came down and there was a voice: This is my beloved Son listen to him. And then together with the transfigured Jesus, Moses and Elijah were also there Only three of the 12 disciples were there: Peter, James and John to witness the spectacular event This is very significant and symbolic because Moses represents the law and […]