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EASTER DAY

We adopted for forty days together with serious Prayer, Fasting, and doing acts of Charity. We reflected on God's saving action through the passion and death of His only begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

We gathered in vigil anticipating and celebrating the resurrection of the Lord; our lingering hope. We heard in the readings how God loved us. He was our light that shattered the darkness that was sin. He was the living water which gives us new life. Praise and thanksgiving to God! ALLELUIA! How sweet is the word! How sweet is the Lord risen!

The resurrection is undoubtedly not just a historical event. Nothing has surpassed it in world history. We can name all the great leaders, secular and religious, who ever lived. Nobody, except the Lord Jesus, died and came back to life. Only us Christians, by virtue of our Faith, profess it.

The Gospel reading from Luke says otherwise. Upon reaching the tomb of Jesus, some women who came with some spices to anoint the dead body of Jesus, found the stone rolled away and body was missing. Did they immediately believed Jesus rose from the dead? No. They were "puzzled" with what they saw. They were not excited, jumping for joy, and chanting hallelujahs as others would accuse them of. When two men in dazzling clothes appeared before them and talked to them, they were scared. They did not mistake one of them as Jesus. They only got a hint of Jesus risen when they were told, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but He has been raised.

What the women saw was later relayed to the apostles. How did the apostles react? Again, contrary to what unbelievers think, they were not immediately joyful. They must have expressed their puzzlement too! They knew Jesus died. The news of Him alive should be a Good News, but still too good to be believed. But the truth of the resurrection was meant to be revealed. Jesus made sure of that. He gave the apostles the perfect signs of His presence. His voice which they had heard throughout His ministry cannot be denied. Mary recognized Him when He called her by her name. The voice of the Master is music to the ears of His disciples. He showed them the wounds on His body. Thomas doubted that Jesus risen visited the apostles when he was not present. He made a claim that he would not believe until he saw and touched Jesus' wounds. Jesus obliged by visiting them again. This time Thomas was there to touch and see for himself Jesus' wounds! He believed because he saw.

Finally, Jesus asked for food and ate them before their eyes. That was a clincher. He was the Lord not only because He saw Him eating but because Jesus was fond of eating. Most of His significant moments happened during a meal. No wonder, He fulfilled His promise to us to be with us always by instituting the mass where the bread and wine become His Body and Blood!

The resurrection is a matter of Faith. Nobody saw Jesus rising from the dead. The disciples believed because of their encounter with the risen Lord. Their sudden display of courage, boldness, and faith after meeting the risen Lord even at the expense of their lives gives witness to its truth. Hiding in the cenacle after Jesus died, they came out and professed the faith and announced the Good News of Jesus' rising from the dead. Jesus became the Light of our lives. As St. John Paul II said, "We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song!" And his apostle namesake, St. Paul, even said it better, "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith is also in vain." (1Cor 15:13-14)

Let the unbelievers laugh at us for believing in the resurrection. What we should not allow is treat it lightly. Our daily recitation of the Creed might have lessened for us the excitement, joy, and wonder it should bring. Our yearly remembering of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection through our rich and meaningful liturgies should help us recover and experience what the original disciples experienced when they first realized and believed the truth of the resurrection. It is the reason for belonging to this Faith. It is the reason why we have hope. It is the reason for living.




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HOLY SATURDAY IS CALLED “BLACK SATURDAY”

Why is Holy Saturday called Black Saturday, especially to Filipino?

It is because it reflects the darkness, silence, and mourning after Jesus’ death on Good Friday.

A Day of Darkness and Grief

After Jesus died, everything seemed lost. The disciples were afraid, confused, and grieving.

It is called “black” because:

• Hope seemed gone.
• The world felt spiritually dark.
• The Savior lay in the tomb.

A Day of Silence

On Holy Saturday, the Church is very quiet:

• No Mass is celebrated during the day.
• The altar is bare.
• The tabernacle is empty.

It is a day of waiting… a day of stillness.

A Day “In Between”

It is the space between:

• The sorrow of the Cross (Good Friday).
• The joy of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday).

So it feels like a “dark pause” in the story of salvation.

But Not Without Hope:

Even if it is called “Black Saturday,” the Church reminds us: This darkness is not the end. Jesus is in the tomb — but He is already at work, bringing salvation even to the dead (cf. 1 Peter 3:19).

“Black Saturday” teaches us something very human and very real: There are moments in life when we are waiting in darkness…when God seems silent.

But just like Holy Saturday—silence is not absence. God is still working.

And soon…the light of Easter will come.



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JESUS CHRIST DIED AT 3 P.M.

On what we now call Good Friday, an extraordinary event took place in Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified at the Third Hour (around 9 A.M.) and died at the Ninth Hour—about 3 P.M.

At that exact moment, darkness fell across the land. Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” and gave up His spirit. The curtain in the Temple tore in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, and history was changed forever.

But why 3 P.M. specifically? It was far from random. This timing aligned perfectly with God’s ancient plan for the Passover.

Here’s the biblical timeline of the crucifixion:

✅ 9 A.M. (Third Hour): Jesus is nailed to the cross (Mark 15:25).

✅ NOON to 3 P.M. (Sixth to Ninth Hour): Darkness covers the whole land (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44).

✅ 3 P.M. (Ninth Hour): Jesus dies (Matthew 27:46-50; Mark 15:34-37).

The Ninth Hour held profound meaning because it was precisely when the Passover lambs were sacrificed in the Temple.

⚡In the First Century, Jewish custom and historical accounts confirm that the Passover lambs were slaughtered in the Temple courts on the afternoon of Nisan 14, the day of preparation.

⚡The Mishnah describes the slaughter beginning after the daily afternoon sacrifice, in the mid-afternoon. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus notes that during Passover, the lambs were killed “from the Ninth Hour till the Eleventh”—roughly 3 P.M. to 5 P.M.

⚡Thousands of lambs were sacrificed in that short window as families prepared for the Passover meal that evening. Each lamb symbolized deliverance, just as the Blood of the Lamb had protected the Israelites from death in the original Exodus.

⚡At the very moment, the priests began slaughtering those symbolic lambs, Jesus—the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world—breathed His last breath on the cross.

This was no coincidence. It was divine perfection. Jesus fulfilled the Passover completely. His blood, like the lamb’s blood on the doorposts, now shields believers from Eternal Judgment. His death at 3 P.M. was the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice that brought an end to the need for animal offerings.

Even today, many Christians stop at 3 P.M. to pray, remembering it as the Hour of Divine Mercy—the hour when the Lamb of God died so that we could live.

God’s timing has always been flawless. From the shadow of the Passover in Egypt to its fulfillment at Calvary, every detail points to Jesus.

He died at 3 O’clock so that death would pass over us forever.






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VISITA IGLESIA MANILA 2026

Visita Iglesia in Manila for Holy Week 2026 (Maundy Thursday, April 2) traditionally involves visiting seven or 14 churches, with many devotees focusing on historic sites in Intramuros, Quiapo, and Binondo.

Top, walkable sites include the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and Quiapo Church, offering profound opportunities for prayer.

The Top 7 Churches for Visita Iglesia in Manila (2026):

1. Minor Basilica & Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Manila Cathedral): Located in Intramuros, this is the "Mother of all Churches" in the Philippines.

2. San Agustin Church: A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Intramuros known for its centuries-old architecture.

3. Minor Basilica & National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno (Quiapo Church): Known for the Black Nazarene, located near Quiapo district.

4. Binondo Church (Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz): A historic church located in the heart of Manila's Chinatown.

5. Minor Basilica of San Sebastian: The only all-steel church in Asia.

6. Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament (Sta. Cruz Church): A prominent Baroque church in Plaza Sta. Cruz.

7. National Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus: Located within the Malacañang Palace compound.




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SIETE PALABRAS 2026

The 7 Last Words are seven final phrases uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ while hanging on the cross on Good Friday, as recorded in the Gospels, before His death.

These sayings are traditionally meditated upon during Holy Week to reflect on themes of forgiveness, salvation, relationship, abandonment, distress, triumph, and reunion.

7 Last Words of the Lord Jesus Christ:

1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34) - Word of Forgiveness.

2. "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43) - Word of Salvation.

3. "Woman, behold your son... Behold your mother" (John 19:26-27) - Word of Relationship.

4. "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34) - Word of Abandonment.

5. "I thirst" (John 19:28) - Word of Distress.

6. "It is finished" (John 19:30) - Word of Triumph.

7. "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46) - Word of Reunion.

These phrases highlighted the Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice and are considered a "last will and testament" to his followers.




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SARAP ANG BINIGNIT SA HOLY WEEK

Do you know w𝗁𝗒 𝗂𝗌 B𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗀𝗇𝗂𝗍 (Dinuldog) 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 𝗉𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗈𝖿 Filipino's 𝖧𝗈𝗅𝗒 𝖶𝖾𝖾𝗄 Celebration? 🤔

Yes, it is a tradition, taste, or there is something deeper?





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BLACK SATURDAY

Good morning everyone. Today is Black Saturday.

We pray with gratitude and surrender to God, asking for His guidance to set healthy boundaries, find rest, and renew our spirit for the weekend ahead. Embrace this morning by inviting His presence, protection, and wisdom into our plans, ensuring our day reflects His peace and love.

We surrender this day to You. Lead us, teach us, and use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!




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GOOD FRIDAY

Good Friday is the 6th day of Holy week and is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday and Easter Friday.

This is the day is also part of the Paschal Triduum that starts on the evening of Maundy Thursday and continues to Easter Sunday recalling the passion, death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Let's pray: Heavenly Father, on this solemn day, we pause in gratitude for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. His wounds speak of love deeper than words, His cross a bridge from death to life. Teach our hearts to walk in humility, to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to carry our own cross with faith and courage. When the world feels heavy, remind us of the hope that rises beyond the tomb. May our lives reflect the mercy poured out on Calvary, and may we never forget the price of our redemption.




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MAUNDY THURSDAY

This day that commemorates Jesus's last supper with his disciples.

During that meal in the upper room, Jesus washed his disciples' feet and gave them a new commandment: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “command."

Let's pray, our agonizing Lord, You endured every human suffering imaginable out of love for us and all Your children. Please give us the grace we need to accompany You through Your suffering and death. May we unite our sufferings with Yours, embracing them freely and with love, so that we may fulfill the Father’s will, sacrificially laying our lives down for others, and may one day share fully in the glories of Your Resurrection. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen.




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HOLY WEDNESDAY

Holy Wednesday commemorates the Bargain of Judas as a clandestine spy among the disciples.

It is also called Spy Wednesday, or Good Wednesday (in Western Christianity), and Great and Holy Wednesday (in Eastern Christianity).




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