Author Archives: olph.crhp

Fifth Station: Jesus is Judged by Pilate

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…
We adore You, O Christ, and bless You… 
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin, held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.” The chief priests accused him of many things. Again, Pilate questioned him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of.” Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. … So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified.

Mark 15: 1-5, 15

This passage pushes me to reflect on how we judge ourselves and others. Judging is a common practice that we all engage in but when we judge, we are operating from our own perspective and we never truly ever know what others are going through without walking in their shoes. More importantly we do not know God’s plan for one another, or ourselves for that matter. When Pilate judged Jesus, he had no idea what God’s plan was for Jesus and the sacrifice Jesus was about to make for us all. When we place trust in God’s plan, for ourselves and others, we practice discernment.

I pray for discernment to judge less and use this time to forgive and heal old wounds. Let us be guided by an understanding that God has a plan for us all, and let us love a little more because of that trust in God’s plan.

Lord,
grant us discernment
that we may see as you see, not as the world sees.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites heaven and earth, and reconciles all people to you.  May we who have faithfully reflected on the mysteries of Your passion follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Lord Jesus Christ... crucified... have mercy on us.  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

By Belinda Tobin Duellman

Fourth Station: Jesus is Denied by Peter

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…
We adore You, O Christ, and bless You… 
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.

Matthew 26: 69-75

How can faith be sustained in adversity?

When I read this, I am saddened by what Peter was going through in this moment of adversity. I am saddened because he betrayed Jesus, just when Jesus needed him the most… the man he loved, the man he left his family to follow and to serve.

I am saddened because I can only imagine how scared and afraid Peter was in that moment when he realized how very hard it was to follow Jesus and to do the right thing.

I am ultimately saddened because I see myself in Peter. I see all the times that I have betrayed Jesus in my life. The times that I have walked away from Him, knowingly, and not stood by Him or by His teachings. Like Peter hearing the crowing of the rooster, our conscience reminds us what is right and what is wrong. How often we, like Peter, chose to ignore it and to take the easier path.

But I also see within this story a message of love. Peter realized that he had sinned against Jesus, and he repented in his bitter tears of remorse. Jesus forgave Peter, and in this forgiveness, Peter returns to serve and glorify God… and through Jesus he built the Church on earth.

So, I see this with hope! I see that even after all my failures to follow Jesus, and the many times that I have denied Him, Jesus is a God of love who will welcome me back if I truly am repentant of my sins… and He will always be with me!

Lord,
grant us the gift of honesty
that we may not fear to speak the truth even when difficult.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites heaven and earth, and reconciles all people to you.  May we who have faithfully reflected on the mysteries of Your passion follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Lord Jesus Christ... crucified... have mercy on us.  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

By Javier Ubarri

Third Station: Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…
We adore You, O Christ, and bless You… 
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes, and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.  They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond.  But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”  They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.”  Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”

Luke 22: 66-71

When Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin, there is no argument, no team of lawyers, no defense. The Son of Man humbly stands alone. Jesus declares the power of God, accepts God’s will, takes up his cross, loving us every step of the way.

How do I follow in His footsteps? Each day I begin with the best of intentions. I ask God to guide me in doing His will. Let my words be Your words Lord, I say. Let each person I meet today see in me a joyful servant of God. I know I often fall short, but there are so many blessings in trying again and again!

Do I humbly accept God’s will? I have had tremendous help with acceptance through our generous faith filled community of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. “Everything that happens in your life is part of God’s plan for your eternal happiness.” These wise words shared with me in a spirituality class opened my eyes. I could now see God’s hand in every aspect of my life.

As I journey through this most Holy Season of Lent, my prayers are of deep gratitude for His ultimate sacrifice. My petitions are for joyful acceptance of God’s will. My hope is that I humbly take up my cross… Loving Him every step of the way!

Lord,
grant us your sense of righteousness
that we may never cease to work
to bring about the justice of the kingdom that you promised.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites heaven and earth, and reconciles all people to you.  May we who have faithfully reflected on the mysteries of Your passion follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Lord Jesus Christ... crucified... have mercy on us.  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

By Deb Donohue

Second Station: Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…
We adore You, O Christ, and bless You… 
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.  His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, “The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely.”  He came and immediately went over to him and said, “Rabbi.”  And he kissed him.  At this they laid hands on him and arrested him.

Mark 14: 43-46

Imagine for a moment what it feels like to be betrayed. Sad to say, I suspect that some of us have had this experience. Perhaps it was in a small way such as being the subject of gossip or in a profoundly harmful way, as Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. The very symbol of affection for another, a kiss, is the sign of betrayal. How painful this must have been!

We are a community of faith. Jesus calls each of us to be His disciples, to journey with Him, and to proclaim the Kingdom of God. This takes courage. It requires sharing our faith and our lives with each other. We risk being vulnerable… and when someone close to us lets us down for whatever reason, we are called to forgive, and forgive again, and not to be deterred from sharing our life with others.

May the example of this moment provide each of us with the grace of knowing that we do not journey as disciples alone… Jesus is with us.

Lord,
grant us the courage of our convictions
that our lives may faithfully reflect the good news you bring.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites heaven and earth, and reconciles all people to you.  May we who have faithfully reflected on the mysteries of Your passion follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Lord Jesus Christ... crucified... have mercy on us.  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

By Hobie Murnane

First Station: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…
We adore You, O Christ, and bless You… 
because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26: 36-41

Jesus had his last supper with His disciples. He had told Peter that he will deny Him three times, and Peter said in response, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” Now, Jesus, his soul “sorrowful even to death” asks Peter, James, and John to stay with Him and pray with Him.

How do they respond? They fall asleep. Even though they had witnessed the Transfiguration, they all fall asleep. As much as they loved Jesus, followed Jesus, worked miracles in His name, and believed in Him, these three closest friends could not overcome their human frailty.

Jesus, the Incarnate, in His human nature, facing an excruciating death, prays “not as I will, but as you will.” He accepts His Father’s will, and He “obeys, even unto death.”

What does this say for us? It tells us to be careful not to presume that our faith is strong. That it is strong enough to undergo the test. We are weak, frail, human beings. It tells us that Jesus knows how weak we are. We need to know it too. We need humility in our faith.

We need to recognize our weakness. We need to give up reliance on our own strength and learn to put our trust in God. We need to pray, with Jesus, for the humility to accept and obey the Father’s will in our lives.

Jesus shows us the way. We need to follow.

Lord,
grant us your strength and wisdom,
that we may seek to follow your will in all things.

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be to the Father...

Lord Jesus Christ, your passion and death is the sacrifice that unites heaven and earth, and reconciles all people to you.  May we who have faithfully reflected on the mysteries of Your passion follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heaven where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  

Lord Jesus Christ... crucified... have mercy on us.  

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

By Barbara Flynn

2022 Lenten Reflection Series Starts April 2nd

Join us for our Lenten Reflection Series, beginning Saturday April 2, 2022. Each day, for fourteen days, ending on Good Friday April 15, 2022, we will offer a new reflection based on St. Pope John Paul II’s Scriptural Stations of the Cross.

Of the 14 traditional Stations of the Cross, only 8 have a clear scriptural foundation. Pope St. John Paul II introduced a new form in 1991 – the Scriptural Stations of the Cross – where each station has a foundation in scripture.

The stations’ gospel and prayers are read by an alumnus of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Christ Renews His Parish ministry. Each station features a reflection composed by that alumnus. Audio versions of all stations will be available as well.

To be notified each day, please scroll to the bottom of Retreat During Daily Life, enter your email address, and click the FOLLOW button.

December 23rd: The Seventh “O” Antiphon

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…

During the final days of Advent, the anticipation increases as the birth of the Savior draws near. In the seven evenings before Christmas, this anticipation is marked by the “O” Antiphons. This liturgical tradition from the earliest days of the Church emphasizes a different prophetic title of Christ as foreshadowed by the prophet Isaiah. These are included in Evening Prayer on the final seven nights of Advent.

The Seventh "O" Antiphon

O God Among Us, come.
Great king, who gives the Law
to gather nations nigh,
O Lord our God, Redeemer,
to save your children, come.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”

Matthew 1:20b-23

And now we come to it: Christmas is mere hours away, and with it, the birth of our Savior. Truly, the moment that God literally came among us, and lived in our midst some 2000 year ago. Of course, God is not so literal, and in fact among us all the time, to this very day. He is among us in the gathering of family for Christmas traditions; among us in the glorious Christmas masses, decorated to the rafters and packed in the pews; and He is among us in the wonder in our kids’ eyes at the magic – of the celebration, yes . . . but also in seeing that special wish list item they’ve been dreaming of.  

I idealize Christmas like no other time of year. In my rose-colored memories, every tradition was honored, every church was resplendent, every present was perfect. It probably leaves me with unrealistic expectations for each coming Christmas, but Advent is all about anticipation, so I don’t try too hard to fight it.   

But the past 2 years have been stark reminders that none of it – the gathering of family or of congregation, or any of our perfect plans – can be taken for granted. But we can take all the more comfort in the things that are truly constant – present in good times and bad, global pandemic or not. God Among Us is certainly one of those things – present not only in a manger in Bethlehem 2 days from now and thousands of years ago, but here, now. He is among us in our hope for the future, our grief for what was lost, and our celebration of the Christmas Season, whatever form that takes.

By Chris Freeman

Lord God,
fill our hearts with your love
and our minds with your wisdom
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.

May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

December 22nd: The Sixth “O” Antiphon

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…

During the final days of Advent, the anticipation increases as the birth of the Savior draws near. In the seven evenings before Christmas, this anticipation is marked by the “O” Antiphons. This liturgical tradition from the earliest days of the Church emphasizes a different prophetic title of Christ as foreshadowed by the prophet Isaiah. These are included in Evening Prayer on the final seven nights of Advent.

The Sixth "O" Antiphon

O King of Nations, come.
The hope and cornerstone
who makes from many, one,
you fashioned us in Eden—
your earthen vessels, save.
A reading from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. 

So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Ephesians 2:17-22

There is a universal longing for peace – peace between nations, political parties, our families and even our own hearts. This longing is especially poignant as we approach the season of Advent and the coming of our Lord.

As the Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesian church, Paul describes all of the riches that are theirs in Christ. In Ephesians 2:17-22, he explains how former enemies have been brought to unity and oneness through Christ. They can now be at peace with one another.

This was the promise made in Isaiah 9:6:

“Unto us a child is born…And his name will be called…Prince of Peace.”

Peace is hard to achieve and even harder to keep. But in Ephesians, Paul tells us the secret of peace. The secret of unity and oneness is a Person, Jesus Christ, where Paul states: “He himself is our peace.” And when Christ Jesus makes peace – between individuals or between nations, it is a peace that is satisfying, permanent, and genuine.

The problem with most of us is that we want to start by trying to resolve the conflict. God never starts with the conflict; He starts with the person. He says peace is a Person, and in order for us to live at peace with someone else, we must be at peace with the Person of Christ. If you have His peace, then you can start resolving the conflicts around you. I even saw that concept on a bumper sticker:

Know Christ, Know Peace
No Christ, No Peace

In this Advent season, may we long for the Prince of Peace to rule in our hearts, our families, our church and our world. “O King of Nations Come!”

By Mike Bacik

Lord God,
fill our hearts with hope
and our minds with welcome for your restoring grace
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.

May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

December 21st: The Fifth “O” Antiphon

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…

During the final days of Advent, the anticipation increases as the birth of the Savior draws near. In the seven evenings before Christmas, this anticipation is marked by the “O” Antiphons. This liturgical tradition from the earliest days of the Church emphasizes a different prophetic title of Christ as foreshadowed by the prophet Isaiah. These are included in Evening Prayer on the final seven nights of Advent.

The Fifth "O" Antiphon

O glorious Dayspring, come.
The bright eternal light
and sun of righteousness,
on those who sit in darkness
and death’s cruel shadow, shine.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke. 

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father
Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation 
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.


Luke 1:68-79

When I walk my dog each morning, I am often greeted with a symphony of bird songs.  The sun is about to rise, and our feathered friends are celebrating. Their joyful chorus is a blessing.   

Years ago, it dawned on me – pardon the pun – that the birds were singing because the day had sprung.  Unlike their human companions, the dayspring was greeted as if it was a surprise gift, a delightful one worth celebrating.  In other words, the birds did not have the rational knowledge that the sun will come up the next morning.  And so, the birds greet the beginning of the day with a beautiful song.   

Imagine for the moment greeting each day as our feathered friends do.   How beautiful our mornings would be!  What hope would we have for the upcoming day, another opportunity to be truly present to the gifts the new day brings!  

Speaking for myself I often deny the gift of the dayspring.  Rather I let the concerns of the future or the mistakes of the past dominate my thoughts. Given the events of the past two years, we have all struggled with the darkness of the global pandemic so much so that it has been overwhelming. 

However, the coming of Christ brings a message of hope.  Light will come to our darkness and guide our lives in the way of peace. We are to wake up and celebrate the day and let the birth of Jesus kindle a fire within us. We are not alone; God is with us.  May we shout with praise and joy each morning greeting the dayspring anew.

By Hobie Murnane

Lord God,
fill our hearts with mercy
and our minds with discernment
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.

May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.

December 20th: The Fourth “O” Antiphon

Listen to this scripture passage & reflection, and pray along with us…

During the final days of Advent, the anticipation increases as the birth of the Savior draws near. In the seven evenings before Christmas, this anticipation is marked by the “O” Antiphons. This liturgical tradition from the earliest days of the Church emphasizes a different prophetic title of Christ as foreshadowed by the prophet Isaiah. These are included in Evening Prayer on the final seven nights of Advent.

The Fourth "O" Antiphon

O Key of David, come.
Unlock what none shall bind,
and lock what none shall loose:
the captives in the darkness
imprisoned, now set free.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew. 

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:13-19

Who do YOU say that I am?!   

Every time I read this gospel from Matthew, I think about how Peter felt to have the son of God ask him that question, and how intimidating it would be for me if I was in that situation.   

The way we answer Jesus will change our lives. If we acknowledge Jesus to be the son of God, then we will pay close attention to what he says, believe it, and live it. 

Would we say that Jesus is the Messiah?  If we do not really believe that, then Advent, our anticipation of his birth and eventual return, has little meaning.   

If we do believe, Advent is a time to question ourselves, are we living our lives as if Jesus is the Messiah?  Do we practice what we preach, do we receive the sacraments, do we love our enemies, do we serve our brothers and sisters? 

How, too, would we answer the other question Jesus asked Peter, Who do people say that I am?   

We see the same skepticism today that we read about 2000 years ago.  We see evil forces twisting and turning Jesus’ message of love:  in our day-to-day lives in marriage, in relationships with our kids, in the rights of the unborn, the elderly, and immigrants, to name a few.     

For me, even though I believe that Jesus is the Messiah, I frequently catch myself not living what I believe.  Advent gives us the opportunity to reflect and think about the situations in life where we should put our full faith in him. 

Lastly, what did Jesus do when Peter answered his question?  He gave Peter responsibility to form the Church, to evangelize the world with the other apostles.  Even with all of Peter’s fault as an individual, he became an important instrument for God’s plan.     

What is our commitment to Jesus in this advent season, as we get ready to receive him?   

How can we be God’s instruments to continue to grow the church and evangelize our communities?

By Javier Ubarri

Lord God,
fill our hearts with love for one another
and our minds with wise counsel
so that our actions will be pleasing to you.

May your peace, which surpasses all understanding,
guard our hearts and minds.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.

Amen.