God is faithful. What has been promised, he has brought to fulfillment. Christ, our paschal lamb has been sacrificed and he has risen, just as he said. We are witnesses of these things, then and now. We revel in the same grace, by the same Christ through the same Church.
Easter confirms that salvation is real and present to us now, today and forever. Love now reigns. Death and sin are overcome. Christ’s resurrection is our resurrection, for he has opened for us, the gates of eternal life. It is on this truth, that we stake our whole lives. Filled with the glory of Christ Easter triumph, we cannot help but cry out Alleluia!
This is the day the Lord has made: let us be glad and rejoice in it! Fill our hearts with the joy of the resurrection and grant us abundant love so we can share the Good News. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
As I look back over my Lenten observance, how have I truly died to self in order to live for God in the service of my neighbor? What signs do I see of new life in my daily way of thinking and doing? How has Lent prepared me to live more fully in God’s house as a member of his household?
God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Today is a work of pure love, beyond our human understanding. The cross gives us a way out of the sin of our human nature. One God-man in Jesus Christ bears the weight of sin, and darkness of the world. Let’s venerate the cross he bore for us.
What were His thoughts as He took all the sins of mankind upon Himself? He forgives His enemies, forgives the penitent thief, cries out to God, and declares the end of His earthly life:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
“Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.” John 19:26–27
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34
“I thirst.” John 19:28
“It is finished.” Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34
“Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46
This message of forgiveness provides a way out and a path forward from the darkness of sin in our life. Christ’s love breaks the cycle of our natural human response where if you are cruel to me, I will be cruel to you. The power of love can change lives and societies. Actions speak louder than words – the cross is the purest example.
As we contemplate our Lord’s Passion on this Good Friday, I invite you to reflect upon how your daily actions reflect your love and gratitude for God’s goodness. Has your journey through Lent opened your heart to receive a deeper encounter with God’s love? Will you continue small sacrifices of self-denial, praying and serving others? Action speaks louder than words.
Today is Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion, and the institution of the priesthood. On this day, Jesus washed the feet of his 12 disciples, showing them how they should love one another just as he loved them. We can all say, “Jesus gave His life for me.” Jesus continues to stoop, to wash us, to serve us, to sanctify us, and to love us through the priesthood and the Eucharist.
As we walk with Jesus during these final hours, let’s reflect on what it means to love and accept love. Will you stay with Christ allowing His wounds to transform your own wounds. Will you allow God to capture and transform your heart in love?
I accept Your gentle invitation of love, dear Lord, to spend this night in vigil with You. May I enter Your Heart as it faced the coming persecution You were to endure for my sins. May I console Your Sacred Heart and know the love and Mercy that flowed, pouring Your love into the world. Thank you for serving me and the world with Your love. Dying to yourself to glorify God and showing us the path to life. Amen
Today is Holy Wednesday, the day of Jesus’ aloneness. It is hard to get my head and heart around how he must have felt knowing the events ahead and what Judas will do. But Jesus knew the part Judas played in salvation history just as he knows the part we all play today.
Reflect what might have been in Judas’ heart. He must have been on edge as he sat at the table of the Last Supper with the others. Through the exchanges at the table, we see it is Judas’ own conscience that implicates him, not Jesus.
How does my conscience implicate me today? Do I love God through all the challenges I’m experiencing? Do I endeavor to see my fellow human person as God sees them? Do I see the divine who is infused in all of creation? Or do I betray God in my prideful pursuit of earthly desires?
God, you formed us as temples of your Spirit. Here, our prayers and grant that in the cracks and brokenness of our hearts we may offer you fitting worship and praise for the saving cross of your son, that conquers all evil, and brings us your healing light. Through Christ, our Lord Amen.
Today marks Holy Tuesday which follows Christ’s return to Jerusalem from Bethany, not to be confused with his triumphant return to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday after being tested in the desert. On his return to Jerusalem, Jesus passes a fig tree that he has cursed on his way to Bethany on Monday. Jesus uses this opportunity to teach his disciples about faith and informs them that with faith they will have the power to curse or bless the world around them, just as he did. This is why today is also known as Fig Tuesday.
We also see in today’s readings how Jesus foreshadows his own death and Peter’s denial. Though Peter will deny Jesus, Jesus does not deny Peter. A contrite and humble heart paves the way for Peter’s sanctity, undoing his cocky self-reliance. Similarly, our peace comes from the fact that Christ loves us because of who he is, not because of what we do. We do not earn Christ’s love by proving our own goodness, nor do we lessen his love with our failures. In our temptations, fears and weakness, we need to turn towards our Savior.
Lord, You alone are my strength. In my weakness, You are strong. Thank you for lifting me up and helping me turn to You, to repent, when I can’t take another step. You are my hope, my confidence and sustenance. My praise is continually of You. Amen
Today is Holy Monday, the second day of Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. Holy Monday commemorates the life of Jesus, his faith, and the events that led up to his death and resurrection. Holy Monday is the day after Jesus was greeted with palm leaves and the day before Judas decided to betray him.
In today’s scripture we see how Judas thought Mary’s anointing was wasteful, preventing the costly nard from benefiting the poor. In reality, the nard served that purpose when the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. The worst sort of poverty is to be unaware of or be unmoved by the Savior’s presence. Mary’s action drew everyone’s attention to Jesus. He is the only one who will establish justice on the earth, he is the true light for the nations.
Are we willing to “waste” our lives for the love of Jesus? To be embarrassingly attentive to him? Do we believe that he is worth it?
God, in our weakness we fail. May we be like Mary, filling the world with Your fragrance and presence. May we be revived through the Passion of your Only Begotten Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Have you ever had an encounter with God that left you in tears because you understood the power of His goodness? I will never forget the first time I watched Passion of the Christ a few years ago and how it brought me into the life of Christ in such a powerful way. I watched Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish the Paschal Mystery, His passion and resurrection with fresh eyes. Seeing Jesus portrayed in His humanity and divinity brought home for me the magnitude of suffering, rejection, and betrayal He faced. I may start my Spiritual Director’s practice of watching this movie on Good Friday. Will you join us?
The Passion of Christ, from patior in Latin, means suffer and refers to those sufferings our Lord endured for our redemption. Archeological discoveries combined with modern medical examination provide an accurate picture of what our Lord endured. In an age where the risen Jesus appears on the cross and suffering and sacrifice have become unpopular terms, we must not lose sight of the reality of the passion.
Through the Passion, we understand that worldly glory is fleeting. Crowds that chanted “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” only five days later cried, “Crucify him!” How their fickleness contrasts with Jesus’ constancy, remaining faithful, humble, and obedient to death, even death on a cross. Despite the beating, insults and spitting, Jesus knew full well that he would not be put to shame. When we are united to him, neither will we, for it is in His Passion that we find the forgiveness of our sins and the strength to rise above persecution, injustice, and suffering. What he endured for you and me to be set free and have the gift of eternal life overwhelms me. It is true love and helps me grow in trust in God’s goodness.
Are you being drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit during this lent? I pray your prayer and meditation is fruitful in revealing the truth, goodness, and beauty of your faith growing in trust and confidence which translates to a peaceful heart.
I never tire getting to know Jesus through the eyes of His mother in the Rosary. The Sorrowful Mysteries hold special meaning. These mysteries cover the events of Holy Thursday, after the Last Supper through the Crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday. If you are not familiar with the Rosary, each mystery is associated with a particular fruit or virtue, which is illustrated by the actions of Christ and Mary in the event commemorated by that mystery. While meditating on the mysteries we also pray for those fruits or virtues to manifest in our own life. We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday and Friday, as well as the Sundays of Lent.
First Sorrowful Mystery, The Agony in the Garden. Jesus prays in Gethsemane on the night before His death. Fruit of the mystery: conformity to God’s will. Pray for us, Mary Mother of Sorrows, that we may humbly accept God’s will in all things.
Second Sorrowful Mystery, The Scourging at the Pillar. Christ is scourged by the soldiers at Pilate’s command. Fruit of the mystery: mortification (self-sacrifice and self-denial). Pray for us Mary, Mother of Sorrows, that we may accept sufferings and setbacks out of love for Christ.
Third Sorrowful Mystery, The Crowning with Thorns. The soldiers weave a crown of thorns and press it onto Christ’s head. Fruit of the mystery: moral courage. Pray for us Mary, Mother of Sorrows, that we may witness to the Gospel, even at cost to ourselves.
Fourth Sorrowful Mystery, The Carrying of the Cross. Jesus carries his heavy cross to Calvary. Fruit of the mystery: patience. Pray for us Mary, Mother of Sorrows, that we may practice patience with ourselves and with others.
Fifth Sorrowful Mystery, The Crucifixion. Jesus is nailed to the Cross and dies. Fruit of the mystery: salvation. Pray for us Mary, Mother of Sorrows, that Christ’s death on the Cross may save us from sin and condemnation.
As we contemplate Holy Week on this Palm Sunday, we must remember what our Lord endured for our salvation. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin on the altar of the cross and washed away our sins with His blood. We must also recognize our responsibility to ask for forgiveness for the sin in our life. For it is sin, big or small, that made Christ suffer the torment of the cross. Our crucified Lord on the cross is a vivid image of His love for us. Meditating on His passion will strengthen us against temptation, move us to frequent confession and keep us on the path of salvation.
Trust. There are many layers of trust. We know we should always trust God but our experiences and perceptions skew our ability to have childlike faith and trust.
The best way we can demonstrate trust is to ask, “Where is God with me in this?”’ Keep asking until the question is answered.
Jesus, I trust in you. Your plan is better than anything else … Jesus, I trust in you. You always hear me, and in Your goodness always respond to me … Jesus, I trust in you. You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others … Jesus, I trust in you. You give me all the strength I need for what is asked … Jesus, I trust in you. That my life is a gift … Jesus, I trust in you. That You will teach me to trust You … Jesus, I trust in you. That You are my Lord and my God … Jesus, I trust in you. That I am Your beloved one … Jesus, I trust in you. Amen
Our brains are amazing and our minds work faster than supercomputers. Think for a minute about how quickly we have an answer in our minds when somebody says something we dislike. We are usually quick to form a response! If you are in a full season of life right now, it might be hard to pray as much as you like or have a regular prayer time. Rather than beat yourself up, try to keep a few of these lightening prayers on hand to help lift your heart to God:
God, may my sacrifice of today remind me of my dependence on You for all the blessings I enjoy. Amen.
Heavenly Father, I’m truly sorry for the moments today where I missed the mark. I ask for your forgiveness and the strength to better follow Your call tomorrow. Amen.
God, I lift up (name of the person you’d like to pray for) today. I ask that you bless them abundantly today and throughout Lent. Amen.
Oh Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything. Amen.
Smitten With Goodness 