MORNING TALKS FOR APRIL 6-8, 2020

April 6, 2020
Monday of the Holy Week

I. MORNING OFFERING

II. PRAYER INTENTIONS

We pray that those suffering from addiction may be helped and accompanied.

We pray for the healing of Alaine Bitancor, for the safety of Emy, her children and the rest of her
family from CoVid19,

We pray for the intentions of our students:

We pray for our health care workers, first responders and all who offer compassionate service and
healing to attend to those who are sick and infected by the Covid-19, specially Dr. Dave Dato and
Dr. Patching Lusica,

We pray for the health and safety of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the clergy and the religious
who continuously keep us close to the Eucharist and encourage us to put our trust in the Lord,

We pray for eternal peace for the souls of those who have passed away, especially those who
have passed away from CoVid19, may the Lord welcome them in His arms,

We pray for our government officials, may they be more honest and wise and think of the good of
the Filipino people first before themselves.

We pray for the safety and health of the AC teachers, staff, parents and students, as well as our
family members.

We pray for all our intentions that we have not mentioned here.

III. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Cf. Psalm 35 [34]:1-2; 140 [139]:8)

Contend, O Lord, with my contenders; Fight those who fight me. Take up your buckler and shield;
arise in my defense, Lord, my mighty help.

IV. COLLECT

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, though in our weakness we fail, we may be revived through the
Passion of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
V. READING: GOSPEL (John 12:1-11)

Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised
from the dead. They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of
those reclining at table with him. Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine
aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled
with the fragrance of the oil. Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would
betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?”
He said this not because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief and held the money
bag and used to steal the contributions. So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the
day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but
also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. And the chief priests plotted to kill
Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

VI. REFLECTION

“The house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” (John 12:3). » SR. CHRIS
KOELLHOFFER, IHM

Many of us, through choice or economic necessity, have had to learn to live frugally. We try to
practice making careful, deliberate choices, conscious of their effect on both our own household
budget and the implications for the larger world. So of course we take notice and stand in awe of
the contrast we see in Mary’s grand gesture: anointing Jesus with a liter of perfume that must have
blown nearly a year’s income. Like the lives of the holy ones given over in love and service without
calculation of the cost, Mary’s dramatic act of extravagance filled the entire home, enveloping all
those present and lingering on in memory. More, her seemingly wasteful act profoundly comforted
a dear friend who at that very moment was courageously inching closer to the longest, most
tortuous journey of his life. Even today, the fragrance of such a gesture remains among us.

VII. ACTION

Where can the weak (most specially those victims of COVID-19) find a place of firm security
and peace, except in the wounds of the Savior? Indeed, the more secure is my place is Jesus,
the more he can do to help me. The world rages, the flesh is heavy, and the devil lays his snares;
but I do not fall, for my feet are planted on firm rock. But, sometimes we must put aside even good
works to pay attention to Jesus. How will I take time this week to let the message of Jesus’
passion sink in?

VIII. CLOSING PRAYER

ORATIO IMPERATA
God our Father,
We come to you in our need
To ask your protection against the CoVid19,
That has disturbed and even claimed lives.
We pray that You guide the people tasked
To find cures for this disease and to stem it transmission.
Protect the medical experts that they may
Minister to the sick with competence and compassion.
We pray for those afflicted.
May they be restored to health soon.
Protect those who care for them.
Grant eternal rest to those who have died.
Give us the grace in this trying time
to work for the good of all and to help those in need.
We implore You to stop the spread of
this virus and to save us from our fears.
Grant all these through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our petition in our necessities,
But deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Our Lady, Health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us.
St. Rock, pray for us.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus and Mere Therese Emmanuel, pray for us.
ALL FOR JESUS, IN JESUS.

Sources:
Catholic Bishops Conference of the United States

April 7, 2020
Tuesday of the Holy Week

I. MORNING OFFERING

II. PRAYER INTENTIONS

We pray that Christians, followers of other religions, and all people of goodwill may promote peace
and justice in the world.

We pray for the healing of Alaine Bitancor, for the safety of Emy, her children and the rest of her
family from CoVid19,

We pray for the intentions of our students:

We pray for our health care workers, first responders and all who offer compassionate service and
healing to attend to those who are sick and infected by the Covid-19, specially Dr. Dave Dato and
Dr. Patching Lusica,

We pray for the health and safety of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the clergy and the religious
who continuously keep us close to the Eucharist and encourage us to put our trust in the Lord,

We pray for eternal peace for the souls of those who have passed away, especially those who
have passed away from CoVid19, may the Lord welcome them in His arms,

We pray for our government officials, may they be more honest and wise and think of the good of
the Filipino people first before themselves.

We pray for the safety and health of the AC teachers, staff, parents and students, as well as our
family members.

We pray for all our intentions that we have not mentioned here.

III. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Cf. Psalm 27 [26]:12)

Do not leave me to the will of my foes, O Lord, for false witnesses rise up against me and
they breathe out violence.

IV. COLLECT

Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion
that we may merit to receive your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

V. READING:

GOSPEL (John 13:21-33, 36-38)

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to
you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he
meant. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon
Peter nodded to him to find out whom he meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to
him, “Master, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have
dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and took it and handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot.
After Judas took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do,
do quickly.” Now none of those reclining at table realized why he said this to him. Some thought
that since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus had told him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or to
give some- thing to the poor. So Judas took the morsel and left at once. And it was night.

When he had left , Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God
is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I
will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go
you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going,
you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can I not
follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for
me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

VI. REFLECTION
In the Gospel text for today’s Mass we focus on Judas and Peter. Both will end up drastically denying
Jesus. The Passion narrative that we read from Mark’s Gospel says that when Peter had denied Jesus
three times, the cock crew, and Peter went out and wept bitterly. Luke’s Passion narrative, the one we
read on Palm Sunday this year, says that as the cock crew, Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter.
And Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
There is no doubt about Peter’s intentions and love for Jesus. It is with all sincerity that he is able to say
at the last supper that he would lay down his life for Jesus, which incidentally, in the end his does in his
own martyrdom. Even in the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested Peter showed great
courage in trying to defend Jesus.
We, like Peter, make mistakes, often. Our best intentions and resolutions are corrupted by fear and
weakness most specially as we facing and fighting this COVID-19. We give into discouragement at our
and other failures.
There are beautiful accounts how of Peter repented in his tears. How he stayed with the rest of the
apostles and received the news of Jesus’ resurrection from the women who were sent to tell the
Apostles and Peter. Remember the beautiful scene on the beach at the Sea of Galilee when Peter
jumps out of the boat in his haste to get to Jesus on the shore and Jesus’ threefold question to him to
affirm his love.
The big difference between Peter and Judas is that Peter does not despair. He weeps bitterly, yes, but
he picks himself up again and asks for forgiveness. There is a model in that for us in our getting back
up again and asking for mercy.

VII. ACTION

We are aware that we have often abandoned Jesus, special during that time that we happy, but
Jesus has never abandoned us. Now that we are facing the pandemic, COVID-19, Jesus’ hand of
love is always outstretched towards us, to heal the world from this disease, even when we are
stubbornly looking the other way. And in this Holy Week, His gentle voice constantly calls us to
reflect and to go back to Him; even when, we obstinately refuse to listen to Him.

Responding to word, let us reflect as Jesus knew His own disciples would betray and deny Him,
How can I strengthen my commitment to Jesus this week?

VIII. CLOSING PRAYER

ORATIO IMPERATA
God our Father,
We come to you in our need
To ask your protection against the CoVid19,
That has disturbed and even claimed lives.
We pray that You guide the people tasked
To find cures for this disease and to stem it transmission.
Protect the medical experts that they may
Minister to the sick with competence and compassion.
We pray for those afflicted.
May they be restored to health soon.
Protect those who care for them.
Grant eternal rest to those who have died.
Give us the grace in this trying time
to work for the good of all and to help those in need.
We implore You to stop the spread of
this virus and to save us from our fears.
Grant all these through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our petition in our necessities,
But deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Our Lady, Health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us.
St. Rock, pray for us.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus and Mere Therese Emmanuel, pray for us.
ALL FOR JESUS, IN JESUS.

Sources:
Catholic Bishops Conference of the United States

April 8, 2020
Wednesday of the Holy Week

I. MORNING OFFERING

II. PRAYER INTENTIONS

We pray for the healing of Alaine Bitancor, for the safety of Emy, her children and the rest of
her family from CoVid19,

We pray for the intentions of our students:

We pray for our health care workers, first responders and all who offer compassionate service
and healing to attend to those who are sick and infected by the Covid-19, specially Dr. Dave
Dato and Dr. Patching Lusica,

We pray for the health and safety of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, the clergy and the religious
who continuously keep us close to the Eucharist and encourage us to put our trust in the Lord,

We pray for eternal peace for the souls of those who have passed away, especially those who
have passed away from CoVid19, may the Lord welcome them in His arms,

We pray for our government officials, may they be more honest and wise and think of the good
of the Filipino people first before themselves.

We pray for the safety and health of the AC teachers, staff, parents and students, as well as
our family members.

We pray for all our intentions that we have not mentioned here.

III. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Cf. Psalm 27 [26]:12)

Do not leave me to the will of my foes, O Lord, for false witnesses rise up against me and
they breathe out violence.

IV. COLLECT

Almighty ever-living God, grant us so to celebrate the mysteries of the Lord’s Passion
that we may merit to receive your pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

V. READING:

GOSPEL (Matthew 26:14-25)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are
you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that
time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a
certain man and tell him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall
celebrate the Passover with my disciples.” The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and pre-
pared the Passover.
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said,
“Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him
one after another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has dipped his hand into the
dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but
woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had
never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered,
“You have said so.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

VI. REFLECTION

“Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak, I looked for sympathy, but there was none”
(Psalm 69:21). Today is a tragic day, for humankind and God. I do not think we can fully fathom
how much God wants each of us to live forever in God’s love. When anyone rejects that love, it is a
source of infinite sadness. In today’s gospel, Judas betrays Jesus. Judas was his intimate
companion. While the physical pain of the crucifixion was excruciating, the “heart pain” of rejection
by those he loved must have been terrible too, most especially those victims of discrimination
because of COVID-19. God desires us with an infinite desire. Jesus manifests this Divine Love on
the cross. During this pandemic cases, we challenge by Jesus in Gospel to respond. How can we
respond? We might start by thanking God daily and offering our love in return. Our love may seem
too small, but to God, it is a precious and most welcome gift.

VII. ACTION

Even though we are baptized, what we constantly lose and betray is precisely that which we
received at baptism. Holy week gives us the time to reflect, to pray, and to celebrate the Easter.
Thus, Easter is our return every year to our own baptism, turning our own ‘passage’ or ‘pascha’
into the new life in Christ again.

Responding to word, let us reflect as Jesus’ betrayer is motivated by greed. How might greed lead
me away from following Jesus?

VIII. CLOSING PRAYER

ORATIO IMPERATA
God our Father,
We come to you in our need
To ask your protection against the CoVid19,
That has disturbed and even claimed lives.
We pray that You guide the people tasked
To find cures for this disease and to stem it transmission.
Protect the medical experts that they may
Minister to the sick with competence and compassion.
We pray for those afflicted.
May they be restored to health soon.
Protect those who care for them.
Grant eternal rest to those who have died.
Give us the grace in this trying time
to work for the good of all and to help those in need.
We implore You to stop the spread of
this virus and to save us from our fears.
Grant all these through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our petition in our necessities,
But deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Our Lady, Health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for us.
St. Rock, pray for us.
St. Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
St. Pedro Calungsod, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
St. Marie Eugenie of Jesus and Mere Therese Emmanuel, pray for us.
ALL FOR JESUS, IN JESUS.

Sources:
Catholic Bishops Conference of the United States