Blessed Fr gitonga

Preparing Catholics for Tomorrow's Liturgy

Gospel for Tomorrow Easter Tuesday.

John 20:11-18.

'I have seen the Lord and he has spoken to me'
Mary stayed outside near the tomb, weeping. Then, still weeping, she stooped to look inside, and saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, the other at the feet. They said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away’ she replied ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ As she said this she turned round and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not recognise him.

Jesus said, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and remove him.’ Jesus said, ‘Mary!’ She knew him then and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuni!’ – which means Master. Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and find the brothers, and tell them: I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’

So Mary of Magdala went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had said these things to her.

Questions for Reflection?

a. Why did Mary remain at the tomb while others left?

b. Why did Mary not recognize Jesus at first?

c.Why did Jesus ask, “Why are you weeping?” when He already knew?

d.Why did Jesus call her by name before she recognized Him?

e. Why did Jesus tell her, “Do not cling to me” but instead send her to others?

WORD Today
April 6, 2026
(A reflection on the Bible readings in today's Holy Mass)
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Acts 2:14, 22-33
Matthew 28:8-15
Please read the Bible passages first:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040626.cfm
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The first Easter morning forced a choice upon its witnesses: embrace the truth of the Resurrection or yield to deceit. The women - Mary Magdalene and the other Mary - trembled with fear and great joy, yet they ran swiftly to tell the disciples, "The Lord is risen!" Their proclamation, though trembling, became the first Good News. In contrast, the Roman guards, eyewitnesses to the angel's descent and the stone's rolling away, chose silence for silver. Bribed by the chief priests, they spread the lie of a cadaver stolen by the disciples. From the very beginning, the Resurrection divides hearts: some cling to truth amid terror, others to convenience and gain.

St. Peter's transformation in the First Reading shows us what grace can do. He once denied Jesus before a servant girl's accusing stare; now Peter stands boldly on Pentecost before a crowd of thousands. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he thunders: " God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses... Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified!" (Acts 2:32, 36) The Resurrection did not merely vindicate Jesus; it forged cowards into Apostles. Fear dissolved into fiery courage; the shame of denial ignited a lifelong mission to the ends of the earth.

Easter's challenge echoes through the ages to us. It is not only an event to remember, but a reality that changes lives. In a world selling convenient lies and mocking faith, will we choose truth, even at personal cost? Will we proclaim Christ Risen amid our fears, like the women, or shrink back like the guards? The Risen Lord invites us to bold witness: in family conversations and workplaces.

The Church, in her wisdom, celebrates Easter not just for a day but for an entire Octave - a "Super Fiesta" of eight days - from yesterday until next Sunday. Each day is like Easter Sunday, inviting us to remain in the joy and power of the Resurrection. This ancient tradition, rooted in Jewish feasts like Unleavened Bread, immerses us in resurrection triumph. Let us not rush past this grace. Let us gather with fellow believers, strengthen our faith, behold the Risen Lord in the Eucharist, and continue rejoicing in the salvation He has won for us. Alleluia!
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Video:
HE IS RISEN
youtu.be/-CeppQy9-gA
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𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒
Victor Wanyama has retired from football ⚽

THE NUMBER 3 BELONGS TO JESUS:

From the life, ministry, and Passion of Jesus Christ, the number three appears again and again with striking meaning. In Scripture, the number three often signifies completeness, divine perfection, and fulfillment. As we reflect on these moments, we see not coincidence, but a deeper pattern that reveals God’s plan of salvation unfolding in a profound and intentional way.

He died at the age of 33, at 3 PM, in the year 33 A.D.
Three were crucified alongside Him.
(3 + 3) — He spent 6 hours on the cross.
He was denied by Peter three times.
He prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane.
He was sold for 30 pieces of silver (3 × 10).
He began His ministry at the age of 30.
He preached in Israel for 3 years.
At the Transfiguration, three of His disciples went up the mountain with Him.
He spoke with Moses and Elijah—there were three of them, with Him at the center.
He raised the dead three times, showing that He is the Resurrection of all.
He was crucified and accused, with a title placed above His head.
It was written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
He fell three times while carrying the cross.

The earliest Creed (in Corinthians) reflects the number three: Christ died, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures.
It is considered one of the earliest Christian formulations of faith—possibly developed just months after the empty tomb was discovered, making it a significant historical record.

And on the third day, He rose again!
Three Persona, One God.



Credits to: Kenneth Charles A. Arañes

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday said priestly ministry in the Catholic Church, entrusted only to men, is understood in light of apostolic succession and called for priests who are “ardent with evangelical charity” and “courageous missionaries.”

During his March 25 catechesis dedicated to the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium, from the Second Vatican Council, Leo explained that the Church “is founded on the apostles, whom Christ appointed as the living pillars of his mystical body.”

More: https://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/pope-leo-xiv-explains-why-the-priesthood-is-reserved-to-men

LATEST: Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Fr. Obed Muriungi Karobia, OFM Conv., as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi.

Bishop elect Obed Muriungi was born in Meru, Kenya, on 29th June, 1979. He made his solemn profession on 10th October, 2010, and on 28th July 2012 he was ordained to the Priesthood in the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. He has served in various capacities including; as a Provincial Superior of the Friars Minor Conventuals in the Kenya.

Congratulations Monsignor Obed Muriungi on his new appointment! 👏👏👏

Marcello Omuttaha

Pope Leo XIV accepts the Resignation of Bishop Paul Kariuki as Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Wote, appoints Bishop Simon Kamomoe as the apostolic administrator.

WORD Today
March 26, 2026
(A reflection on the Bible readings in today's Holy Mass)
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Genesis 17:3-9
John 8:51-59
Please read the Bible passages first:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032626.cfm
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"The Lord remembers His covenant forever." (Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 105:8)

A covenant is a sacred bond wherein God and humanity enter a profound vow. God pledges unwavering love, provision, and protection; humanity promises fidelity, obedience, and trust. This divine-human pact echoes through salvation history, culminating in Christ's Passion during this Lenten season.

The First Reading (circa 2000 BC) unveils God's covenant with Abraham. Prostrating before the Almighty, Abraham receives the promise of countless descendants and an everlasting inheritance - the land of Canaan as a beacon of blessing for all nations. God seals this with the rite of circumcision, a sign of belonging. Yet humanity's weakness soon becomes evident: from Israel's golden calf to our own daily infidelities, we shatter our side of the bargain time and again.

Undeterred, God remains faithful. He "sweetens the deal" beyond imagination. Not content to merely forgive, He takes the punishment upon Himself! In the Gospel, Jesus boldly declares His divinity: "Before Abraham was, I AM," echoing God's name (Exodus 3:14). The Jews' fury - picking up stones - foreshadows the cross, where the eternal "I AM" becomes vulnerable flesh to atone for our betrayals.

Jesus embodies the covenant's fullness. By His obedience unto death, He fulfills God's vow perfectly, absorbing our sins. Our part of the deal remains to love and obey. But God sweetened the reward: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death" (v. 51) - a glorious reward! Christ's sacrifice opened the gates of heaven that was closed before. Not only will the obedient have a joyful life on earth, it continues eternally in heaven!

This Lent, let us renew our covenant with Jesus. To obey all His commands - not just the comforting ones, but the challenging calls to love our enemies, and carry our cross. To live them His directions to the fullest - not just the bare minimum. To embrace His will - making them our own, surrendering personal agendas. In the desert of penance, trust Christ's faithfulness: the covenant that began with Abraham endures in His blood, leading unerringly to resurrection and life. For He remembers His covenant - forever.
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Video:
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
youtu.be/8NQKHHNp-CI
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KEY POINTS ABOUT THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION

1. *Date of Celebration* – The Solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated every *March 25*, exactly *nine months before Christmas*, marking the moment when the *Angel Gabriel* announced to the *Virgin Mary* that she would conceive *Jesus Christ* (Luke 1:26-38).

2. *Divine Announcement* – The Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary signifies the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a *Savior* and the beginning of *Jesus’ incarnation*.

3. *Mary’s Fiat (Yes to God)* – Mary humbly accepted God's plan, responding, *"Let it be done to me according to your word"* (Luke 1:38), demonstrating *obedience, faith, and trust in God*.

4. *The Incarnation of Christ* – This solemnity celebrates the *moment when the Word became flesh*, meaning that *Jesus, the Son of God, took on human nature* in Mary’s womb through the power of the *Holy Spirit*.

5. *Fulfillment of Prophecy* – The event fulfills *Old Testament prophecies*, particularly *Isaiah 7:14*, which foretold that a *virgin would conceive and bear a son* called *Emmanuel (God with us)*.

6. *A Key Event in Salvation History* – The Annunciation marks the beginning of *God’s redemptive plan*, as *Jesus' conception* sets the stage for His birth, life, passion, death, and resurrection.

7. *Mary as the New Eve* – Just as Eve’s disobedience led to *sin*, Mary’s obedience made way for *salvation*, earning her the title *"New Eve"* in Christian theology.

8. *Celebration in the Liturgy* – The solemnity is observed with a *special Mass*, including the recitation of the *Angelus* and the *Nicene Creed*, where the faithful traditionally *genuflect or bow* at the words *"And by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man."*

9. *Connection to the Rosary* – The Annunciation is the *First Joyful Mystery* of the Rosary, emphasizing Mary’s *faith and humility* in accepting God's will.

10. *Invitation to Faith and Obedience* – The solemnity encourages believers to imitate Mary by *trusting in God’s plan*, saying *"yes" to His will*, and embracing faith in daily life.

This day serves as a *reminder of God’s love*, Mary’s role in salvation, and the significance of *Jesus’ incarnation* in bringing *hope and redemption* to the world.