Lent: reading on March 6th

And behold, the veil of the sanctuary has been torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks were split, the tombs were opened and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And leaving their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27: 51-53

It must have been an impressive scene. As Jesus breathed his last breath, he surrendered to his spirit and said that it was over, the world was shaken. There was suddenly a strong earthquake that caused the veil in the temple to tear in two. While this was happening, many who had died in grace returned to life by appearing in physical form to many.

While our Blessed Mother was looking at her dead Son, she would have been shaken all the way. While the Earth was shaking the dead, our Blessed Mother would have been immediately aware of the effect of the perfect sacrifice of her Son. It was really over. Death has been destroyed. The veil that separated humanity that fell from the Father was destroyed. Heaven and earth were now united and new life was immediately offered to those holy souls who rested in their tombs.

The veil in the temple was thick. He separated the Saint of Saints from the rest of the sanctuary. Only once a year was the high priest allowed to enter this holy place to offer an atoning sacrifice to God for the sins of the people. So why was the veil torn? Because the whole world had now become a sanctuary, a new saint of saints. Jesus was the only and perfect Lamb of Sacrifice to replace the many animal sacrifices offered in the temple. What was local now became universal. The repetitive animal sacrifices offered by man to God have become a sacrifice of God for man. So he migrated the meaning of the temple and found a home in the sanctuary of every Catholic church. The Saint of Saints became obsolete and became common.

The significance of Jesus' sacrifice offered on Mount Calvary to be seen by all is also significant. The public executions were carried out to cancel the public damage allegedly caused by the executions. But the execution of Christ has become an invitation for everyone to discover the new saint of saints. The high priest was no longer authorized to enter the sacred space. Instead, everyone was invited to approach the Sacrifice of the Immaculate Lamb. Even more, we are invited to the Saint of Saints to join our life with that of the Lamb of God.

While our Blessed Mother stood before the Cross of her Son and watched him die, she would have been the first to completely unite her whole being with the Lamb of Sacrifice. He would accept His invitation to enter the new Saint of Saints with his Son to worship his Son. He would allow his Son, the Eternal High Priest, to unite her to His Cross and offer it to the Father.

Reflect today on the glorious truth that the new Saint of Saints is all around you. Every day, you are invited to climb the Cross of the Lamb of God to offer your life to the Father. Such a perfect offering will be gladly accepted by God the Father. Like all holy souls, you are invited to rise from the grave of your sin and proclaim the glory of God in works and words. Reflect on this glorious scene and rejoice that you are invited to the new Saint of Saints.

My dear Mother, you were the first to go behind the veil and participate in your Son's Sacrifice. As high priest, he made the perfect atonement for all sins. Although you were sinless, you offered your life to the Father with your Son.

My loving Mother, pray for me so that I may become one with the sacrifice of your Son. Pray that I may go beyond the veil of my sin and allow your divine Son, the High High Priest, to offer me to Heavenly Father.

My glorious High Priest and Lamb of Sacrifice, I thank you for inviting me to contemplate the sacrificial offering of your life. Please invite me in your glorious sacrifice so that I can become an offering of love offered with you to the Father.

Mother Maria, pray for me. Jesus I believe in you.