This morning is always a magical time for me. The calm before the emotional storm. I have time this morning to sit so close to The Beloved. Here in the dark church in front of the tempory tabernacle. So close toHim whom I love.
Today is a hard day. The One who loves us all is to die for us all. The person in front of me right now, suffered and died for me. He was beaten, scourged, ridiculed, and crucified for me. We're I the only sinner in need of redemption He still would have done what He did. He is my Beloved, and I am a poor sinner.
But today I can sit with Him. Like I would a friend in the hospital or in jail. I can think about Him and keep Him company. Can't you take some time today and just sit with Him? Walk with Him today down the Via Dolorosa? It will make Easter Sunday that much sweeter if you go on the whole journey with Him.
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Friday, March 29, 2013
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Reflections on Passion Sunday
Today we start Holy Week with Passion Sunday. We triumphantly and publicly herald the entrance of Our Savior into Jerusalem. We herald His coming as the Great Warrior and leader who will saves from our enemies, then within minutes we are crying Crucify Him! Crucify Him! How often do we do this in our lives? We praise God on those days when we wake up and everything is going great. But then when He asked me to do something, to change, to witness to my faith and risk myself. How often do I turn away like Peter did, and have I asked His forgiveness for the times I cried Crucify Him?
Today I was lucky enough to be Alter Serving. As we read the Passion I became aware of the fact that I was standing next to the tabernacle so the Beloved was there. The one who had been beaten, betrayed, and Crucified was there. Our Passion is so clean so unemotional, but I could remember the same scenes from the Passion of the Christ. I especially remember the scene where Peter hears the cock crow and Jesus looks at Him. The One who dies for us is there. How can we not weep for what He went through and I am thinking, one more week and I can have back what I gave up for Lent. And He is there, waiting to die for us. He freely chooses out of love for us to die that death for us. What am I willing to do for Him? Am I willing to die for Him? Am I willing to die to myself for Him? Am I at least willing to give some of my time for Him?
The hardest day this week for me is Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. To think of the time when Christ wasn't here. Now He is here always in a tabernacle somewhere. But there was a time 2000 years ago when we were without Him. It makes me so sad. I hate to see the empty open tabernacle, so like a tomb. The alter is stripped, the world is broken. But at the sametime I can still sit with Him. Like a wake or a deathbed. Just sit with Him and keep Him company.
The comes Easter......but I am getting a head of myself. We have to wait, and wait makes it all that much sweeter.
Today I was lucky enough to be Alter Serving. As we read the Passion I became aware of the fact that I was standing next to the tabernacle so the Beloved was there. The one who had been beaten, betrayed, and Crucified was there. Our Passion is so clean so unemotional, but I could remember the same scenes from the Passion of the Christ. I especially remember the scene where Peter hears the cock crow and Jesus looks at Him. The One who dies for us is there. How can we not weep for what He went through and I am thinking, one more week and I can have back what I gave up for Lent. And He is there, waiting to die for us. He freely chooses out of love for us to die that death for us. What am I willing to do for Him? Am I willing to die for Him? Am I willing to die to myself for Him? Am I at least willing to give some of my time for Him?
The hardest day this week for me is Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. To think of the time when Christ wasn't here. Now He is here always in a tabernacle somewhere. But there was a time 2000 years ago when we were without Him. It makes me so sad. I hate to see the empty open tabernacle, so like a tomb. The alter is stripped, the world is broken. But at the sametime I can still sit with Him. Like a wake or a deathbed. Just sit with Him and keep Him company.
The comes Easter......but I am getting a head of myself. We have to wait, and wait makes it all that much sweeter.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Preparing for Lent - getting ready to enter the dessert
We are one week out from Ash Wednesday. Now is time to prepare for Lent. Do you know what you are going to give up? I usually indulge a bit more in this week in whatever I am going to give up. Sort of getting it out of my system. But what are you going to DO for Lent?
Lent isnt just a time of giving something up. We are preparing for God to enter into our lives as well. It is a time of Palm Sunday where God triumphantly enters into our hearts. How can prepare our hearts for God? Add something to your life. Many parishes have lenten study groups or bible studies during this time. One i would recommend is Fr Robert Barrons Catholicism. The production on the series is first rate, the cinematography is amazing, and the theology is very understandable. Read more, pray more, connect with God more. Store up your spiritual treasure during this great time of waiting.
We are entering a time of penance. Which isn't a bad thing. Don't think of penance as when you were little and got a spanking. Think of it as when you got a shot of antibiotic when you were sick. It is something good for you. It will ultimately make you feel better. Our God is Love. He is not the God of Love, He is Love. He wants the best for us. Open your heart to Him and He will lead you to what he wants of you.
Go one this journey with Him, enter Jerusalem, pray in the garden, walk the way of the cross, enter His tomb. Then on Easter morning, welcome Him into your heart with great joy. But you have to walk the whole way with Him.
Lent isnt just a time of giving something up. We are preparing for God to enter into our lives as well. It is a time of Palm Sunday where God triumphantly enters into our hearts. How can prepare our hearts for God? Add something to your life. Many parishes have lenten study groups or bible studies during this time. One i would recommend is Fr Robert Barrons Catholicism. The production on the series is first rate, the cinematography is amazing, and the theology is very understandable. Read more, pray more, connect with God more. Store up your spiritual treasure during this great time of waiting.
We are entering a time of penance. Which isn't a bad thing. Don't think of penance as when you were little and got a spanking. Think of it as when you got a shot of antibiotic when you were sick. It is something good for you. It will ultimately make you feel better. Our God is Love. He is not the God of Love, He is Love. He wants the best for us. Open your heart to Him and He will lead you to what he wants of you.
Go one this journey with Him, enter Jerusalem, pray in the garden, walk the way of the cross, enter His tomb. Then on Easter morning, welcome Him into your heart with great joy. But you have to walk the whole way with Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
