Easter Sunday - Christ is Truly Risen

The Resurrection of the Lord/The Easter Sunday: April 05, 2026

Readings: Acts 10:34, 37–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23; Colossians 3:1–4; John 20:1–9

The Resurrection of our Lord

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/uSRNT3Yy8T0

The message of Easter is very clear: Christ is truly risen! The events that followed the crucifixion of our Lord give a rare glimpse of who Jesus was: Fully human and fully divine. With the resurrection of Jesus, the divinity of Jesus shines brighter than before. Jesus is no longer constrained by time and space. Jesus makes himself visible to everyone who longs to see him or waits on him. The mission of Jesus gets transformed now as St Paul would say that Christ "becomes all in all."

1. At Easter, it's Time to Believe

Easter dawn breaks not with noise or spectacle, but with a quiet, almost hidden revelation—the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and hearts slowly awakening to a truth too great to grasp at once. The Gospel of John 20:1–9 draws us into this delicate moment of discovery. Mary Magdalene comes while it is still dark, carrying within her the weight of loss. Peter and the beloved disciple run toward the tomb, caught between confusion and hope. What they find is not the Risen Lord immediately, but signs—linen cloths lying there, the absence that speaks of a presence beyond death.

Resurrection does not impose itself; it invites faith. The beloved disciple “saw and believed,” not because everything was clear, but because love had prepared his heart to recognize what reason alone could not yet fully understand. Easter, then, is not simply the proclamation that Jesus is risen—it is the awakening of a new way of seeing, a vision shaped by trust, by love, and by openness to God’s surprising action.

2. At Easter, it's a Life to be Lived

St. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians 3:1–4, calls us to enter into this new reality: “Seek what is above… set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” The Resurrection is not only an event to be remembered; it is a life to be lived. If we have risen with Christ, then our priorities, our desires, and our way of being in the world must reflect this new life hidden in Him. At Easter, we are brought back to life again with renewed vigour and enthusiasm. What Jesus said and did during his public ministry is now the reality. Jesus has kept his word. It is our turn to trust him completely.

To “seek what is above” does not mean to withdraw from the world, but to live within it with a transformed heart. It is to carry hope where there is despair, to choose life where there is brokenness, and to trust that even in situations that seem sealed like a tomb, God is at work bringing forth new beginnings.

3. At Easter, Life Glows to the Fullest

Easter also teaches us patience in faith. The disciples did not understand everything at once. The journey from the empty tomb to full belief unfolded gradually. In the same way, our own experience of the Risen Lord often comes in glimpses—in moments of grace, in quiet assurance, in unexpected joy. Faith grows as we learn to recognize these signs and to respond with trust. For Christ is risen—not only from the tomb, but within us—calling us into a life that no darkness can overcome.

Ultimately, the Resurrection proclaims that love is stronger than death, that light overcomes darkness, and that no stone is too heavy for God to roll away. The empty tomb stands as a silent yet powerful witness: what seemed like the end is, in truth, a beginning. As we celebrate this Easter, we are invited not only to rejoice, but to become witnesses. Like the disciples, we are called to run toward the signs of life, to believe even when understanding is incomplete, and to live as people whose lives are already touched by eternity.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, in the light of Your Resurrection, awaken our hearts to new life. Help us to see with faith, to trust in Your presence, and to seek what is above in all that we do. May the hope of the empty tomb guide our lives, and make us witnesses of Your love and life in the world. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ
E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net
Blog: Celebrate Faith
Video: YouTube
01 April 2026

Good Friday - Accomplishing the Final Act with Love

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: April 03, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Crucifixion of Jesus

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/eha_1oDKM5c

What a day! And it is called Good Friday!! The death of God-man on the Cross, and still we call this day Good Friday!!! The poignant moment of the death of the Messiah makes us stand still and listen to the inner voice of our being. What is this all about? Why must an innocent man die on a Cross? The most brutal, terribly painful and awkwardly humiliating death a person could go through in the Roman Empire was crucifixion.  It was such a heinous death that no one dared to undergo. But here we have on this day, we commemorate that brutal death of our Saviour and Master year after year. The same death, the same event, the same humiliating expressions, and yet we try to find meaning for our lives through devotion and faith. 

1. Pushing the evil away and not reconciling

As we stand at the foot of the Cross of our Saviour and kiss it with a sense of reverence, it brings to our mind the stark reality of evil, wickedness, jealousy, envy, animosity, grudges, scorn, and hostility in this world and in the lives of people. As we scroll through the Word of God in the Holy Bible, it becomes certain that evil can take over good and has a say for some time. Perhaps, evil might not win continuously or eternally, but it has its say that could be detrimental to the life of the person.  The Word of God tells us emphatically that Jesus "went on doing good." Then what went wrong in the life of Jesus to carry the Cross to Calvary?

Good Friday stands before us in solemn silence, inviting us not merely to observe, but to enter into the mystery of a love that suffers, endures, and redeems. The readings draw us into the depths of this mystery—not as distant spectators, but as those whose lives are intimately bound to the Cross. The prophet Isaiah presents the figure of the Suffering Servant—one who is “despised and rejected,” a man of sorrows, bearing pain not his own.  His innocence, his wounds, and his pathetic condition are all for our salvation. It is a meaningful source of healing and restoration for humanity. It finds expression in divine mercy. 

2. Jesus, a bridge between humanity and God

The Letter to the Hebrews deepens this understanding by showing us Christ not only as the victim, but as the High Priest—one who enters fully into the human condition. He does not stand apart from our struggles; He knows them from within. He has cried out in anguish, wrestled with suffering, and learned obedience through what He endured. And so, He becomes the bridge between humanity and God, inviting us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, even in our weakness. Good Friday reminds us that no suffering of ours is foreign to Him.

God continues to look down upon humanity through the person of Jesus. His gaze from the Cross at the wretchedness of humanity points to us that there is a lot to be accomplished for humanity. Not everything is perfect and holy, peaceful and redeemed. It needs mercy and compassion, reconciliation and forgiveness. It is a way of communicating the desire of God to humanity in this complex and barbaric act of crucifixion. It is accomplished when it touches every heart of the person who stands beneath the cross. 

3. God's Plan has a Purpose and Freedom

In the Passion according to the Gospel writer St John, we encounter a striking portrayal of Jesus—one who is not overpowered by events, but who freely gives Himself. Even in His arrest, His trial, and His crucifixion, there is a quiet authority. He carries the Cross not as a victim of fate, but as one who embraces His mission in love. From the garden to Golgotha, every step is a deliberate act of self-giving. Good Friday confronts us with a question that is both simple and demanding: how do we respond to such love?

The Cross, then, is not merely an instrument of death; it is the fullest revelation of love. Here, love is stripped of all sentimentality. It is faithful in betrayal, silent before accusation, forgiving in the face of cruelty. “It is finished,” Jesus declares—not as a cry of defeat, but as the completion of a love that has held nothing back. It is easy to venerate the Cross from a distance, but harder to carry it in our own lives. The invitation is not only to gaze upon Christ crucified, but to recognize Him in the suffering around us—in the wounded, the rejected, the forgotten—and to respond with compassion.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, as we stand before Your Cross, we behold the depth of Your love poured out for us. In Your suffering, teach us to trust; in Your silence, teach us to surrender; and in Your self-giving, teach us to love without reserve. Stay with us in our weakness, and shape our lives into an offering united with Yours. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

31 March 2026

Lord's Supper: A Call to Live the Eucharist

Maundy/Holy Thursday - The Lord’s Supper: April 02, 2026 

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14; Psalm 115(116):12-13,15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

The Last Supper of Jesus
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/DxZAVToxM90

We celebrate on this Maundy Thursday, a definite, enduring and continuous presence of our Lord Jesus Christ amongst us. The event of the establishment of the Holy Eucharist, which took place 2000 years ago in an obscure upper room in one of the houses in Jerusalem, still continues to be celebrated today as a mark of our Lord's intimate presence amongst us. The scene of this enactment of the Lord's Supper continues to draw inspiration and accept the challenges and sufferings this world brings to us. By participating in this mystery of the Eucharist, we are prepared to face any challenges with joy and courage. Moreover, it enables us to carry forward the memory and mission of our Lord to the ends of this earth.  

1. Holy Eucharist: Partaking in His Divine Nature

Maundy Thursday draws us into the quiet, intimate heart of the Gospel—into an upper room where love takes visible form. Jesus makes a particular mark in human history through this act of sharing the Passover meal with his disciples. St. Paul, in recalling the tradition he himself received, brings us face-to-face with the mystery of the Eucharist. “This is my body… this is my blood.” These are not merely words spoken once in history; they are a living memorial, a presence that endures. 

In the Eucharist, Christ does not simply remind us of His love—He gives Himself. Again and again, He becomes our nourishment, entering the ordinary elements of bread and wine so that our ordinary lives may be transformed into vessels of grace. By receiving him as our Lord and Master through this Eucharist, we become partakers of his divine nature. Through devotion and desiring this great sacrament of our God, we embody our Lord's presence through mercy and compassion. 

2. Holy Eucharist: A Call to Live the Eucharist in Love and Service

The Eucharist teaches us something very important and significant. At its core, Eucharist is an act of self-giving love. Jesus is giving himself wholeheartedly to us. Jesus comes to us in simplicity and vulnerability, and not in grandeur or power. We approach the altar of the Lord with a sense of profound mystery—not as spectators, but as participants. We receive Him with faith and reverence. Thus, we try to become like Him: broken and given for others. In other words, when we celebrate the Eucharist, we are called to become the Eucharist we live.

St John, the Gospel writer who witnessed Jesus' public ministry, sums up the person of Jesus with a strikingly different yet deeply connected image. That is service. The act of the Last Supper begins with the washing of the feet of the disciples. Perhaps it might have been tough for the disciples of Jesus to comprehend this great act. But the lesson that Jesus taught always remains visible. As Eucharist is celebrated in a community, our service to the community is a must. It is not the authority that governs, but the service.

3. Holy Eucharist: Involving ourselves in the Mission of Jesus

The proven track of Jesus' love for humanity and his sense of humility in service is remarkable. Often, we want our God to remain above us and not to disturb us by immersing himself in us. We see this case when Peter refuses to let his feet to Jesus to be washed. For Peter, learning something very practical from his Master becomes very difficult. If we want God to intervene in our lives, we must allow ourselves to be completely taken over by our Creator. This will enable us to be moulded by Him. We must disarm ourselves from the unnecessary protective gear that we wear. 

The Eucharist and the washing of feet are not two separate realities; they are one continuous movement of love. They teach us to kneel before others—to serve, to forgive, to care, especially when it is inconvenient or unnoticed. More importantly, when we are disliked precisely because we do such unconventional things. Maundy Thursday, therefore, is not only a remembrance; it is a commissioning. It is a call to live eucharistically: to be attentive to the needs of others, to choose humility over pride, to offer ourselves in quiet acts of love. In other words, the Altar must always inspire us. 

Questions for self-reflection:
As we linger in the silence of this sacred evening, we are invited to examine our own hearts. 

1. Do we approach the Eucharist as a routine or as an encounter that transforms us?
2. Are we willing to take up the towel, to enter into the hidden and humble work of love?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, on this sacred day, You give Yourself to us in love and humility. As we receive You in the Eucharist, transform our hearts, that we too may become a gift for others. Teach us to serve with humility, to love without counting the cost, and to live what we celebrate. Remain with us, Lord, and make us signs of Your presence in the world. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

31 March 2026

The Passion of our Lord, the Passion of the Humanity

Passion/Palm Sunday: March 29, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 50:4–7; Psalm 22:8–9, 17–20, 23–24; Philippians 2:6–11; Matthew 26:14–27:66

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a mule
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/xDEUz4r7yZc 

What is it like entering into the lives of others? What is it that makes us be compassionate and show our empathy to the person who is suffering?  It is our attitudes, feelings, values, convictions and readiness to embrace the other as our brother or sister. As we enter into the mystery of Christ's Passion, suffering, death, and resurrection, we are invited to enter more intensely into the life of our Lord Jesus, lovingly, passionately, and with a heart full of tenderness and love. Today, we read in our Churches the passion narrative of our Lord, so that it enables us to enter into the drama of Jesus' passion. 

1. Passion of our Lord, the Passion of the Humanity

Today, the Church celebrates Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. It is a beautiful day when we realize that what matters most in our lives is giving time to others. The liturgy of today in our Churches and parishes unfolds with a profound and almost unsettling beauty. It begins in jubilation—palms raised, voices lifted, hope awakened. Yet, as the narrative deepens, the tone shifts. The hymns of praise give way to the solemn cadence of the Passion. Glory and suffering stand side by side, not as opposites, but as inseparable companions in the mystery of Christ.

Lent: Finding the Fullness of Life through Trust and Hope

Fifth Sunday of Lent: March 22, 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 37:12–14; Psalm 130:1–8; Romans 8:8–11; John 11:1–45

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/yiJ7fYq2sUM 

Bringing solace and hope to those who are mourning or hopeless is a beautiful thing. It is an act of mercy. We need people who can comfort us when we are in sorrow or suffering. We need people who can put their shoulders on us and listen to us. In a world of competition and the rat race, very few have the time and willingness to do that. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see this aspect of readiness and willingness to comfort those who are mourning, despite a busy schedule or being far from home. Jesus touches the lives of his good friends, Martha and Mary. He reaches out to them at the very toughest time of their lives, when they have buried their beloved brother. At that moment, Jesus does an unimaginable thing: he raises Lazarus from the tomb and gives them back their loving brother, alive. This is what true friendship means: reaching out to those who trust us and love us at the right time with the right act of love.

1. Lent: Waiting for God in Patience

The Gospel of John 11:1–45, the raising of Lazarus, stands as one of the most profound revelations of who Jesus is—not merely a healer, but the Lord of life itself. Yet, before it becomes a story of resurrection, it is deeply a story of waiting, sorrow, confusion, and faith stretched to its limits. Jesus hears that Lazarus is ill, and surprisingly, He delays. This delay is unsettling. It challenges our instinctive belief that God must act immediately when we pray. 

Lent - Encountering the Healing Touch of God

Fourth Sunday of Lent: March 15, 2026

Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6–7, 10–13; Psalm 23:1–6; Ephesians 5:8–14; John 9:1–41

Jesus is healing a blind man
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/aniupZZbVe8

Often, it is difficult to see the good in others. Human nature tends to react with jealousy, anxiety, and many questions when something good happens in another person’s life. It may seem strange, yet it is often true. Unfortunately, the prosperity of one person sometimes becomes the cause of heartburn for another. There are people who try to malign the name of someone who is good and sincerely striving to make a difference in his own life and in the lives of others. Wickedness and evil, in subtle ways, seem to be part of the human condition. While we strive to do good, there is often a contrary impulse within us that pulls us in the opposite direction. This week, the Church celebrates Laetare Sunday, which falls on the Fourth Sunday of Lent. As we reach the middle of our Lenten journey, the Church invites us to rejoice. Christ comes as the Light of the world, entering the darkness of human life to restore sight. The healing of the man born blind by Jesus becomes a subject of intense dispute, especially among the Pharisees, who were unable to recognize the goodness present before them.

1. Healing: A journey of encounter

The Gospel of John 9:1–41, presents the powerful story of the healing of the man born blind. At one level, it is a miracle story, but at a deeper level, it is a revelation about spiritual sight and spiritual blindness. The physical healing becomes a sign pointing to a deeper transformation that Jesus desires for every human person.

Lent: Transforming our Lives through Dialogue with God

Third Sunday of Lent: March 8, 2026

Readings: Exodus 17:3–7; Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9; Romans 5:1–2, 5–8; John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/SUy6xBCiNVA

Where can we look for the best things in life? Is there something extraordinary that can be attainable and could give us complete meaning for our lives? Will we find something that will explain everything and give us the fullness of life? Man's search for meaning has been continuous and unceasing. In spite of a great history of knowledge, epistemology (the study of knowledge) and hermeneutics (the study of interpretation), we are still making sense of this world. There is no ultimate truth that a person has found. Even though for us Christians, Jesus is the ultimate truth. However, we still doubt. As a result, we do not follow his teachings in word and deed. In this context, we have fantastic liturgical readings on this Third Sunday in Lent to encourage us to strive to follow the same Lord who enlightened the Samaritan Woman two thousand years ago.

1. God initiates dialogue with us

The Gospel of the Third Sunday of Lent (John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42) presents the profound encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It is a story of thirst—human thirst and divine thirst—meeting at the same place. Jesus begins the conversation with a simple request: “Give me a drink.” The Son of God appears tired, thirsty, and dependent on a stranger. In this moment, God reveals something essential about Himself: He approaches us in vulnerability. 

The Transfiguration of our Lord: A Glimpse of Glory to Sustain

02 Sunday of Lent: March 01, 2026

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33:4-5,18-20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Matthew 17:1-9

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/e8Nh7KSZ5t0

Faith and trust are very important components of our lives. We do our business dealings based on faith and trust. The so-called disruptive technologies, which have made our lives easier today, like Ola, Uber, Rapido, Zomato, Swiggy, AirBNB, etc., are all built on trust. Interestingly, trust is a two-way communication, which is dynamic and proactive. We would not be agile and active if we didn't trust someone or didn't have faith in someone. The whole health sector is built on the caring nature of doctors, surgeons, nurses and medicines. So too, our spiritual life is built on faith and trust, even though we do not see God with our eyes or we have not experienced someone returning from God to say hello to us. In this context, we have beautiful readings on this Second Sunday in Lent. Abraham just listened to the voice of God and followed, including leaving behind his family and birthplace. Jesus communicates with his Father, and the glory of God is shown to the three disciples of Jesus. All these are possible because of the incredible faith and trust.

1. Consolations before the suffering and pain

The Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9 narrates the mysterious and luminous event of the Transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, before their eyes, He is transfigured—His face shines like the sun and His clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, conversing with Him. A bright cloud overshadows them, and the voice of the Father declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The disciples fall to the ground in fear, but Jesus touches them and says, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”  Beneath struggles, confusion, and fatigue, God is at work. 

Lenten Journey - Finding Enormous Fidelity of God

First Sunday of Lent: February 22, 2026

Readings: Genesis 2:7–9; 3:1–7; Psalm 51:3–6; 12–14, 17; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11

The Temptation on the Mount by Duccio
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/jwZlUpPKSB8 

The sense of unworthiness before the immensity of God's providence is natural if we look at it with a sense of awe, faith and reverence. The abundance of the mighty creation in which we live is absolutely stunning. When we stand on the seashore and just gaze at the miles and miles of water or raise our eyes to the sky in the night with a bright moon and glittering stars, we quickly realize our smallness and imperfection. What we have around us is nature, forests, waters, rivers, seas, birds, animals, plants and trees, and so many other uncountable things, always enabling us to see the immensity and largeness of God the Creator. In this context, the sense of sin and sinfulness comes into the picture as we begin 40 days of Lenten journey. God continues to shower us with His mercy and compassion, love and forgiveness.

1. Lent begins not with activity, but with solitude.

The Gospel of Matthew 4:1–11 places us at the threshold of Lent, in the silence of the desert. Before Jesus begins His public ministry, He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. The First Sunday of Lent invites us to enter that same space—not as spectators, but as pilgrims. The Spirit leads Jesus into the desert. It is striking that temptation is not outside God’s providence. The desert is not a mistake; it is a necessary passage.