A Willing Sacrifice
Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down on my own.” Jesus’ intrinsic freedom is the shining quality here. He was not “compelled” or “obligated” or “coerced” into the path that led to Calvary: he chose it.
Hope for the Resurrection of Our Bodies
In this last year we’ve all been reminded of our mortality as the COVID-19 pandemic has swept over the world. But as part of the Body of Christ, there is a hope that awaits our mortal bodies, and to see it, we need look no further than this Sunday’s readings!
Blessed Are the Believers
In this Divine Mercy Sunday’s Gospel, John presents two encounters of the Apostle Thomas coming to embrace the Good News and believe. Let us put ourselves into the Scripture, remembering we have all experienced “doubting-Thomas” moments.
It’s a Game Changer
When Jesus was transfigured before his disciples’ eyes, he stood before them. Now that he has risen from the dead his resurrected presence is within them! This is not something that comes as the result of a request, it is simply a gift.
A Call Away from Indifference
The inconvenience, discomfort, sadness, and pain we may feel if we open our hearts and pay attention to what is happening in and to the world around us are the only real antidote to indifference, because those feelings should call us to action.
Spiritual and Religious
The truly spiritual person will follow Jesus even to the cross. The person with genuine insight into spiritual matters realizes that Jesus cannot be separated from his cross nor can eternal life be separated from death to self.
A Promise of Healing and Salvation
We know that we all have a “rebellious lower nature” inside of us, an instinctual impulse towards mediocrity, hedonistic pleasure, self-justification, etc. When we give ourselves the chance, we recognize that our character flaws control us more than we prefer.
Freedom in God’s Commands
In this culture of faux freedoms, God is calling us back to Himself. We are free to choose to follow Him or not, but we are not free to choose the consequence of that choice. Only in choosing to follow Christ do our hearts find the answer to our deepest longings.
See, then Show
Peter, James, and John were witnesses to God’s glory. A witness is one who first sees, then shows. Jesus had asked them to hold everything they had witnessed in their hearts until the appropriate time to show.
Adjust to Scarcity
Lent invites us into the desert. As the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert, so the Spirit drives us into that same place of peace filled scarcity. We live a simpler, more reflective life hoping to confront the demons that bind us to our weakness and imperfections.
Profound Healing
According to Leviticus, skin diseases, as well as scars and burns, render persons unclean. What is at stake here is the question of contagion and the health of the community. Because of their condition, the sick person was ostracized from the community.
Overcoming the Drudgery of Life
Life becomes nothing but drudgery when we lose our sense of purpose and meaning. Through prayer, we’re reminded of our identity as baptized believers with a mission to spread the good news of God’s love.