From Daily Scripture Thoughts:
“But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that
slept….So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is
raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is
sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is
raised a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15: 20, 42-44a
Jesus' Resurrection isn't just about God's Son returning to Heaven. He has raised us up with him. His sacrifice has made our hearts worthy to be changed by his Love.
We have trekked through Lent. We have suffered and struggled and grown. And we are raised up in his Glory now. Not because we are worthy, but because he has made us worthy.
Sown in weakness, raised in power.
Yesterday we exclaimed, "Christ is Risen!"
Today is no different. Christ is still risen. So keep celebrating. We are loved, adored, and saved.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
40 Thoughts: Day 40
Wait. That's what today feels like, doesn't it?
Jesus has been crucified and we have mourned him. And we already know tomorrow is Easter and that he will rise. We don't have to mourn him like the disciples and Mary did. We know the end of the story already and we don't have to be so sad or afraid. All we have to do is wait.
But today is more than just waiting. Jesus isn't just laying in the tomb, pretending to be dead, waiting for tomorrow so he can be taken away. He died. He descended into Hell. He felt the fire. He saw where we would all be headed without him. He is more and more glad that he has saved us. He is falling even more in love with us.
Today is our last day of waiting. It's the last day of our mourning and fasting and sacrifice.
But, just like every other day, it's another day to fall even more in love with him as he falls even more in love with us.
Prepare your hearts. Easter is so close.
Jesus has been crucified and we have mourned him. And we already know tomorrow is Easter and that he will rise. We don't have to mourn him like the disciples and Mary did. We know the end of the story already and we don't have to be so sad or afraid. All we have to do is wait.
But today is more than just waiting. Jesus isn't just laying in the tomb, pretending to be dead, waiting for tomorrow so he can be taken away. He died. He descended into Hell. He felt the fire. He saw where we would all be headed without him. He is more and more glad that he has saved us. He is falling even more in love with us.
Today is our last day of waiting. It's the last day of our mourning and fasting and sacrifice.
But, just like every other day, it's another day to fall even more in love with him as he falls even more in love with us.
Prepare your hearts. Easter is so close.
Friday, March 29, 2013
40 Thoughts: Day 39
Today, is Good Friday.
We know what happened today. Jesus was crucified for us today.
And we know what it means. It means that our sins are forgiven because of his ultimate sacrifice.
In the Eleventh Station, Jesus is nailed to the Cross. He is beaten and wearing a crown of thorns and then his hands and feet are nailed through and to the Cross. Close your eyes and imagine nails going through your palms.
Then in the Twelfth Station, Jesus dies. He gives his spirit to the father and dies. After all his pain and suffering, after the jeering of the people before him and the cries of his mother, not wanting to put us through the pain of losing him, he dies.
It's this simple yet incredible act that makes today so important.
But it's more than that. This is our faith. Our entire faith is based on this one moment; when Jesus died for our sins. When he died for you and you only. That's what you say you believe in when you call yourself Christian or Catholic or Protestant or Baptist or whatever you say that you are.
Yes, we believe in the Resurrection as well of course and that is huge in our faith as well. But nothing of anything else could have ever happened if Jesus did not die first.
So the mission of today is simple. Don't let today pass by you. Think on this today. Pray with this today. Thank Jesus for dying for you. It only takes a second. Maybe take a few seconds during the day and thank him a whole bunch of times. We could never thank him enough. Close your eyes and think about your own sins and shortcomings and thank God for wiping them clean for you on the Cross. Thank him for his patience. Thank him for giving us nothing less than his own Son. Today may be a busy or slow or mediocre day for you, but don't let it pass by without stopping for at least a moment and realizing what today means to us.
Because somewhere out there on this day in history and today and forever there is a man on a cross crying out your name and in his humility and humanity and divinity he is in love with you.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
We know what happened today. Jesus was crucified for us today.
And we know what it means. It means that our sins are forgiven because of his ultimate sacrifice.
In the Eleventh Station, Jesus is nailed to the Cross. He is beaten and wearing a crown of thorns and then his hands and feet are nailed through and to the Cross. Close your eyes and imagine nails going through your palms.
Then in the Twelfth Station, Jesus dies. He gives his spirit to the father and dies. After all his pain and suffering, after the jeering of the people before him and the cries of his mother, not wanting to put us through the pain of losing him, he dies.
It's this simple yet incredible act that makes today so important.
But it's more than that. This is our faith. Our entire faith is based on this one moment; when Jesus died for our sins. When he died for you and you only. That's what you say you believe in when you call yourself Christian or Catholic or Protestant or Baptist or whatever you say that you are.
Yes, we believe in the Resurrection as well of course and that is huge in our faith as well. But nothing of anything else could have ever happened if Jesus did not die first.
So the mission of today is simple. Don't let today pass by you. Think on this today. Pray with this today. Thank Jesus for dying for you. It only takes a second. Maybe take a few seconds during the day and thank him a whole bunch of times. We could never thank him enough. Close your eyes and think about your own sins and shortcomings and thank God for wiping them clean for you on the Cross. Thank him for his patience. Thank him for giving us nothing less than his own Son. Today may be a busy or slow or mediocre day for you, but don't let it pass by without stopping for at least a moment and realizing what today means to us.
Because somewhere out there on this day in history and today and forever there is a man on a cross crying out your name and in his humility and humanity and divinity he is in love with you.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
40 Thoughts: Day 38
Holy Thursday
John 13:1-15
Tonight we celebrate Jesus' last supper. Specifically, when he washed his disciples' feet.
"Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew his hour had come"
At the beginning of our Gospel this evening, we are told that when Jesus realized he was about to be crucified, he brought his disciples together for one last supper. And he washed their feet. He did so to prepare them for the last supper. But washing the feet of the people at the table was a servant's duty in homes back in Jesus' time. This is the last image he left with them: that he is their servant. That he, the Son of God came to be a servant. He gave us that example to follow.
The practice of washing feet during Mass will occur all over the world tonight as communities celebrate this Last Supper. Pope Francis has plans to bring Mass and feet-washing to a juvenile detention center tonight in Rome.
At Sacred Heart, we all wash each other's feet. If you choose to wash another's foot, you also have your foot washed. It's important to go through both experiences because for some it is harder to have your foot washed than to wash another's foot. For some, the exact opposite.
Sometimes, though, this ritual is confused. For some it seems it is a payback. "If you wash my feet, I'll clean up yours." But it's not.
This isn't a bargaining ship. Jesus didn't die because we promised we'd do better. He didn't even ask. He didn't want any promises. He just wanted to save us.
Realize in these all important last three days of Lent that you are loved. Seriously, deeply, undeniably, unconditionally loved. Loved.
Whether you have failed or succeeded in your Lenten promise, you are loved. Whether you have grown closer to Jesus during this time or not, you are loved.
Tonight, let's let Jesus wash our feet, because it's his greatest desire. And the next time we find ourselves in front of another well-loved human, let's wash their feet too. Not because they'll wash our feet later, but because Jesus has already cleansed and prepared us for God's Will. Your feet are clean.
Your feet are clean
John 13:1-15
Tonight we celebrate Jesus' last supper. Specifically, when he washed his disciples' feet.
"Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew his hour had come"
At the beginning of our Gospel this evening, we are told that when Jesus realized he was about to be crucified, he brought his disciples together for one last supper. And he washed their feet. He did so to prepare them for the last supper. But washing the feet of the people at the table was a servant's duty in homes back in Jesus' time. This is the last image he left with them: that he is their servant. That he, the Son of God came to be a servant. He gave us that example to follow.
The practice of washing feet during Mass will occur all over the world tonight as communities celebrate this Last Supper. Pope Francis has plans to bring Mass and feet-washing to a juvenile detention center tonight in Rome.
At Sacred Heart, we all wash each other's feet. If you choose to wash another's foot, you also have your foot washed. It's important to go through both experiences because for some it is harder to have your foot washed than to wash another's foot. For some, the exact opposite.
Sometimes, though, this ritual is confused. For some it seems it is a payback. "If you wash my feet, I'll clean up yours." But it's not.
This isn't a bargaining ship. Jesus didn't die because we promised we'd do better. He didn't even ask. He didn't want any promises. He just wanted to save us.
Realize in these all important last three days of Lent that you are loved. Seriously, deeply, undeniably, unconditionally loved. Loved.
Whether you have failed or succeeded in your Lenten promise, you are loved. Whether you have grown closer to Jesus during this time or not, you are loved.
Tonight, let's let Jesus wash our feet, because it's his greatest desire. And the next time we find ourselves in front of another well-loved human, let's wash their feet too. Not because they'll wash our feet later, but because Jesus has already cleansed and prepared us for God's Will. Your feet are clean.
Your feet are clean
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