Philippians 2: 6-11
Christ, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
The Plan For Our Salvation
In Holy Week and Easter Week, especially during the Sacred Triduum from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday, we commemorate the Paschal Mystery of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus for our salvation.
Saint Paul proclaims that the Paschal Mystery is the proof of God’s love for us: “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This is the love, of course, of God the Son; but it is also the love of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. In his death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus realizes in love the Trinitarian plan for our salvation.
In this time, we are also invited to contemplate the Paschal Mystery and open ourselves to the grace of growing in the kind of love the Three Persons manifest in this Mystery – loving God and loving our neighbor as God calls us to do.
—Fr. Bob Hagan, SJ, is a member of a community of senior Jesuits at Saint Ignatius Hall in Black Jack, Missouri. He offers spiritual direction; gives sacramental care to the lay Catholics at the adjacent retirement community; posts reflections on his Facebook site at Bob Hagan SJ; and drives fellow Jesuits who no longer drive wherever they want to go.
Prayer
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to you.
That with your saints I may praise you.
For ever and ever.
Amen.
—Anima Christi (which St. Ignatius asks those making the Spiritual Exercises to pray at the end of colloquies with Jesus)