Looking Ahead: Week of April 14-19, 2025

This week is the week of the year. Holy Week. There is so much packed into the week. But essentially it is a celebration of the Paschal Mystery, that is, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Here is a preview of what we will focus on with the daily Mass readings.

Looking Ahead

This is Holy Week. A powerful week where we celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Every aspect of our faith is celebrated this week. All the readings for this week are centered on the salvific events of our salvation. Because of the Paschal Mystery, Jesus becomes the focus. But equally important are so many other characters in this spiritual and human drama.

Monday, April 14. Jesus dines with Martha, Mary and Lazarus. The beginning of the week provides us with hope.

Martha, Mary and Lazarus are a family in the spotlight. We have learned a lot about them. Martha was the hospitable host. Mary is the contemplative. And Lazarus was raised from the dead. These events provide us with the hope that Jesus can save us, for they inspired those who witnessed these events to believe in Jesus.

Tuesday, April 15. The failures of Judas and Peter.

There are two great failures among the disciples this week. The betrayal by Judas and the denial by Peter form the backdrop for all the disciples. But there is a key difference that is important for us. When Judas recognizes his failure, he does not ask for forgiveness. Peter weeps bitterly after he denies Jesus and seeks his forgiveness.

Wednesday, April 16. Judas betrays Jesus.

It may not be clear that the one who held the purse for this itinerant group would have been considered the most trustworthy. But today we see such a great failure. Judas does not understand Jesus and he takes matters into his own hands.

Thursday, April 17. Chrism Mass.

This Mass, Chrism Mass, may not be celebrated in your diocese on this day. But it is celebrated during Holy Week. This is the Mass where the bishop blesses all of the oils to be used throughout the diocese for the sacraments. Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the Sacrament of the Sick all use these oils. Baptism, Confirmation use Sacred Chrism (SC). Baptism uses the Oil of the Catechumens (OC). The Anointing of the Sick is the Oil of the Sick. (OI)

Thursday, April 17. Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

This Mass, on Thursday evening, begins the celebration of the Easter Triduum. The Triduum, or “three days”, is really one continuous celebration. We celebrate both the gift of the Eucharist, Jesus self-gift to us, his body, blood, soul and divinity, and the intimate connection between leadership and service. There is no dismissal at this Mass.

Friday, April 13. Good Friday

Good Friday marks the celebration of the Lord’s passion. This means the passion is read on this day (always the passion as recorded by Saint John). We also venerate the cross, pray for every aspect of the world, and receive communion. But this is the only day of the Church year the we do not celebrate Mass. Just as Holy Thursday has no conclusion, Good Friday does not begin in the ordinary way Mass begins.

Saturday, April 14. Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil.

There is no morning Mass on Holy Saturday. As the Office of Readings points out, today there is a certain stillness. It is quiet. But that changes dramatically in the evening. For in the evening is the celebration of the Easter Vigil. This is Mass, but does not start in the same way as a regular Mass. And this is the Liturgy of Liturgies.

Everything about being Catholic is contained in the Mass. People hold small candles lighted from the new Paschal Candle, the great and glorious history of salvation is recounted in the singing of the Exultet, we hear the story of salvation recounted in the readings, people come into the Church, holy water is blessed, and we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection.

On the friar, you can listen to our homilies (based on the readings of the day) and reflections. You can also ask us to pray for you or to pray for others. You can subscribe to our website to be informed whenever we publish an update. And we have restarted our podcasts after a hiatus. You can subscribe to our podcasts on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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