April is a new month as we continue our penitential season of Lent.
We thought we’d give up chocolate or wine or some other hindrance to focusing totally on our Lord.
Never did we think we would give up fellowship with hugs and holding hands and being close enough to read each others’ eyes in conversation.
Never did we think we’d give up coffee hour after the church service on Sunday.
Never did we think we’d give up GOING TO CHURCH !!! Anathema!
Never did we anticipate living as we must so that we and others might stay well and live.
Never did we anticipate the extended time of quarantine, of separation from the world we know.
Never did we anticipate deep concern, anxiety, outright worry for others who may be in a vulnerable place or family members who are not cloistered with us.
Never did we anticipate a great and mighty work of God in spite of an evil virus swirling around us.
Never did we anticipate a new learning curve for those who have never been near a disaster or trauma or have never been in dire circumstances.
Never did we anticipate our ‘saving for a rainy day’ funds would be used as the sun shines brightly and as Spring begins to bloom.
God did NOT cause this evil virus that swirls around us. Yet, God will make great use of these circumstances to draw us to Him, to show us the love we may not have realized before.
Our Lord desires to be with us, carry us, hold us tight, show amazing GRACE if we feel a melt-down looming before us.
God is ushering us into a new life-chapter.
We can cling to Him as we trust His path for us . . .
or not.
God created us to choose: In Joshua’s words:
“Choose, this day, whom you will serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Let us begin this new month "Serving the Lord with gladness."
"There is nothing to be dreaded in human ills except sin—not poverty, or disease, or insult, or ill treatment, or dishonor, or death, which people call the worst of evils. To those who love spiritual wisdom, these things are only the names of disasters, names that have no substance. No, the true disaster is to offend God, to do anything that displeases Him.” John Chrysostom
"In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life's different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course.” Boniface
PAUSE April Fools Day
Some historians speculate that April Fool’s Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. In the Julian Calendar, the new year began with the spring equinox around April 1.
People may have failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1, and continued to celebrate the new year during the last week of March through April 1. They became the butt of jokes and hoaxes and were called ‘April Fools.’ Western cultures now celebrate pranks or hoaxes on this day.
April 1, 2020 Exodus 7:8-24; Psalm 119:145-176, 128,129,130;
2 Corinthians 2:14—3:6; Mark 10:1-16
2 Corinthians 2:15-17 “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God's word like so many but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in His presence."
These words are so unlike the Apostle Paul.
We usually hear exhortation and direction as to how to mature in Christ.
This phrase is like a lovely interlude of poetry pointed at our hearts.
We are a fragrant aroma, a sweet incense unto the Lord.
We might take a moment to re-read this affirmation, and breath deep these words as they fill our soul.
It’s that sweet aroma that is so inviting to both the saved and the unsaved, those who know salvation and those who do not, those who are alive in Christ and those who do not know Christ Jesus.
We have a choice as Christians.
We can either grab a few useful scriptures and pass them out to any and all who will listen or we can drink deep as we consume the forever-flow of God’s Word, God’s presence.
This takes time.
It’s so very daily.
As we gain knowledge of what it means to be a Christian, to walk with Jesus to the Cross, to die with Him in order to truly live resurrected life, we are better able to speak to another with the sincerity of the Holy Spirit, coming alive from within.
Only then can we be the sweet aroma of sincerity, as the Lord’s presence stirs within us.
Only then does the Lord’s presence within us overflow to others.
Only then are we seen, not as ‘peddlers’ of God’s word, but as the fragrant aroma of the Lords’ blessing to others.
Think about it:
Can you picture the Holy Place in the Jerusalem Temple?
The Holy Place housed the Table of Bread, the Light of God [menorah] and the Table of Incense which was placed right in front of the curtain to the Holy of Holies.
Only priests could go into the Holy Place daily to refresh the bread on the table, add oil to the menorah and feed the fire of incense so that the sweet aroma of prayer would be received by YHWH.
In essence, the sweet aroma of incense provided another ‘screen’, an extra layer between man and God’s presence residing in the Holy of Holies.
Yet, this sweet aroma drifted in and around the heavy curtain that blocked access to all but one chosen priest who entered annually.
The aroma reminded the priests of God’s presence and was like the continuous prayer between man and God that permeates any edifice which blocks us from God.
So, if we are that sweet aroma to God, how can that be?
It’s our personal relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ, that gives us entree into God’s presence, into the the Holy of Holies, the place where the sweet aroma of incense can travel.
Because we seek to know, truly know the presence of God and live accordingly, we are blessed with a sincerity as we speak, as we walk, as we are . . . "one with God's Presence."
This does not come easily.
We cannot accumulate knowledge by reading pages of a workbook, answering a few questions and completing a course.
We can only become that sweet aroma by daily seeking God’s face, by examining our heart and confessing anything we have done or left undone that stymies that deep knowing in our soul, total forgiveness of others, compassion for those who peddle God’s word instead of living by God’s word.
Be honest with yourself, seek to let go of that which may block your walk in Christ, take a little more time this coming week to sit and listen and drink in the "Presence."
Wait quietly.
Listen for direction.
Let go of pre-conceived expectations.
Let go of anxiety.
Linger with Jesus.
Enjoy!
You are becoming like the sweet aroma of Christ to God.
April 2 Exodus 7:25—8:9; Psalm 131,132,140,142; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18;
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”
Long and deep discussions have prevailed regarding that fact that a camel cannot walk through the eye of a needle. Of course not. Then discussion moves to names of mountain passes that might be called “Eye of a Needle.” There is another discussion regarding the small slits in the Jerusalem wall or even the small doors that open for people that are small part of a massive gate of protection. As in any other hypothetical discussion, we could challenge this verse for years.
We need to stand way back and look at the big picture.
When we read the entire passage selection along with verses before and after, we gain a better idea of what Jesus is trying to tell us. The disciples are clueless even though they know this saying is common in this day in regards to impossibility. It’s like saying, “It is impossible for an apple on the ground to return to its branch.”
The impossibility of this statement is exactly what it is . . . impossibility.
Apples cannot return to branches.
Jesus tells us, Camels cannot walk through an eye of a needle.
Mortals cannot gain their own salvation.
God is in charge of the impossible.
God is in charge of bringing mere mortals into His forever kingdom.
Because humans are sinful, this also is an impossibility because humans are sinful.
God cannot accept into His Kingdom anyone who is covered in sin.
God only sees perfection, completeness.
So how can this be?
God did the impossible.
He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and shed the very blood that covers our sins.
By doing so, we are ‘seen’ as holy and pure and acceptable to God.
How can this be?
The only way this can happen is for us, by faith, is to say ‘yes’ to the grace given to us, the invitation to not only follow Jesus but give our very lives to Him.
Jesus gave his life for us so that we could have eternal life with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In turn, we are invited to give our whole lives, lock, stock and barrel, to our Lord.
We are called to give our ALL, riches, property, health, anxieties, all . . . our very all . . . to Him.
In return we gain the treasures of heaven, grander than we can imagine, the impossible multitude of all God’s treasure.
Think about it: What choice is there?
The Lord invites us into all the treasures of heaven.
All we have to do is follow.
All we have to do is let go of that which keeps us from living the glorious life we were called to live.
We can say, “yes” by faith, join a church, die to self and live for Christ through baptism, know the Holy Spirit who resides in us and . . . .
We can’t stop there.
We are invited to learn about the treasure.
We are invited to study God’s word to find out who the Word truly is!
We are invited to dig deep into our soul and hand over the unforgiveness we’ve carried all our lives.
We are invited to pray for self and for others as we connect with our Lord daily.
We are invited to worship our Lord and fellowship with others on the same path.
We are invited to receive His Presence as often as we can.
We are invited to serve the Lord with gladness.
We are invited to ‘be ready’ for the the impossibility of ‘being Christ’s own forever.’
Where are you in your walk in Christ?
Are you ready for the impossible?
April 3 Exodus 9:13-35; Psalm 95,22,141, 143:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12;
Mark 10:32-45
Exodus 9:16-18 God continued, “But this is why I let you live; to show you my power and to make My name resound through all the earth. You are still exalting yourself against my people, and will not let them go. Tomorrow at this time I will cause the heaviest hail to fall that has ever fallen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. :21-22 Those who did not regard the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the open field. The Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out
your hand toward heaven so that hail may fall on the whole land of Egypt, on humans and animals and all the plants of the field in the land of Egypt.
:25-26 The hail struck down everything that was in the open field throughout all the land of Egypt, both human and animal; the hail also struck down all the plants of the field, and shattered every tree in the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were, there was no hail.
:25-26 The hail struck down everything that was in the open field throughout all the land of Egypt, both human and animal; the hail also struck down all the plants of the field, and shattered every tree in the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were, there was no hail.
Do you remember this plague?
It’s number seven.
Often we hear the story of the plagues when we attend a Seder but we usually only hear the ‘name’ of the plague as we dip our little finger into the wine and place a dot on our plate. While we are sequestered, this might be a good time to read the lengthy story of God’s grace and Pharaoh’s broken promises.
In that day, Egypt was thriving. Israel’s family of seventy bloomed into about two million over a period of over four-hundred years! What began as a trip to purchase food for the clan ended up as a wrenching imprisonment where God’s chosen people were not allowed to worship their God.
Remember, worship meant building a huge place for burnt offering. This was a messy, smelly business that only could take place outside the confines of fastidious Egypt, in the desert.
Pharaoh would not let God’s people GO.
With each plague, Pharaoh relented and said, “yes,” GO into the desert and worship. With each remission of that particular plague, Pharaoh went back on his word and made restrictions worse. In time, even Pharaoh’s magicians could not duplicate God’s plagues, especially this plague of destructive hail. They, too, ran for their lives.
Only the ‘spelt’ the tough wheat the Hebrew people used to make bread, the same bread of life that would eventually be an offering to God in the temple. Only the land of Goshen was spared, the land where the Hebrew people lived and raised sheep and goats for the Egyptian economy . . . while still gathering straw and making bricks.
Think about it: This devastating plague of hail destroyed all crops, any animals left outside and any keepers of those animals who did not take shelter. This plague was far less devastating than the tenth plague, the plague of death to all first born where the ‘Angel of death’ passed over homes without the blood of the lamp on the doorposts.
We are in the midst of quite another plague.
We are told to remain inside and stay apart from others if we do go outside.
We are given ample warning of consequences but, for some, it’s too late.
We are seeing death all around us but, for some who die, the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, is covering them.
The blood of the sacrificial lamb saved the Hebrew people from death.
The blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, saves all souls from the sting of death even if our body does not survive this plague.
How are you praying for those on the front lines or those who are fragile, who might succumb to this plague?
Are you praying that they are protected?
That’s good. Keep it up.
Pray, also, that they are protected by the blood of Jesus Christ so that they have eternal life if they die.
Pray for those on the front lines and those whose lives are vulnerable.
Yet, we are called to pray for all souls, that they might come into the kingdom of God through His Son.
Words of prayer are good.
What if you took out some old paints, found some paper, and prayed a picture.
Simply ask the Holy Spirit to direct your heart and hands to paint a prayer!
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to paint.
Just put colors on paper and see what happens.
Write a prayer on that picture you painted.
Place it in an envelope and send it to someone who cannot hear well on the phone or is sequestered in a room and cannot even take a walk.
What if you baked a prayer!
Pack a few cute little bags with these goodies, add a simple prayer of thanksgiving along with your name and phone number.
Place the bag at your neighbor’s door, ring the bell and walk back about ten feet. When they come to the door, simply say, “I was thinking of you today.”
The plague may surround us but so is God’s mercy and grace enveloping us.
We are the Lord’s hands and feet and a vehicle of our Lord’s presence as we show others the Love of God.
As we find creative ways to pray, we can also find creative ways to love one another.
Creativity is the best salve for our bruised spirit as we help one another GO through this plague.
April 4 Exodus 10:21—11:8; Psalm 136:1-6, 144, 42,43; 2 Corinthians 4:13-18; Mark 10:46-52
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Although our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.”
What a delight-filled set of verses!
Although our bodies are dying daily, is our soul filling exponentially?
I notice of the changes in my body when I look in the mirror especially my Smile!
It’s like my body is shriveling up but my smile, my soul-sensor, is increasing.
My soul-sensor moves to ‘high’ when I laugh at hubby’s dry wit.
Although I still have a very full daily schedule, I feel lighter on my feet.
I am keeping the disciplines I learned as a babe in Christ even during this time of physical separation from community.
My soul-sensor measures the daily expansion of God’s presence filtering through my aging body.
God is good.
Life is good.
We are good.
I remember a moment when I was very young and wanted to be a princess and sit on a float in the summer parade.
My father would always say that I was his little ‘princess.’ Both parents repeated the mantra often, “It does not matter what you look like on the outside but what you are like on the inside.”
These wise words did not penetrate my heart until I was much older.
Fast forward too many decades to count.
I look in the mirror at my streak of white streaming down my gray hair.
I notice the soft wrinkles throughout my body and my eyes that still twinkle with delight.
My soul is full to overflowing with gratitude.
I love the aging body I see.
I love that I can still breathe deep and take long walks and fill myself with God’s word and sing out prayers and praises to my Lord.
I love where I am right now but I am ready for whatever happens.
I am busier than ever making sure hubby and I are still working as the team the Lord created us to be.
I’m still busy as ever reaching out to those who are on my heart daily as I pray and study scripture.
I’m still busy gathering our groups via Zoom, an incredible vehicle to stay in touch.
Only through the ‘daily’ can we overcome the hurdles that life sets before us.
Daily adoration and praise to our Lord that we can live eternally with Him.
Daily confession of any fears, anxieties, frustrations, unforgiveness for petite misunderstandings or terse words.
Daily thanksgiving for being right where we are, doing exactly what we are doing, right here, right now.
Daily supplication as I pray for guidance regarding the next steps I should take today, regarding those on my prayer list that I know need an extra hug only our Lord can give.
Daily study, meditation, silence, waiting, breathing deep, walking with my Lord one step at a time.
It’s so daily, isn’t it.
Think about it: When did you first begin to realize that it was more important to keep our soul alive and filled
with the Lord’s delight than worry about our body?
When did you realize that your body is truly dying . . . dimming of the eyes, hearing softer voices that almost seem muffled, walking a little slower, body aches and limb creaks?
At what point did you find it necessary to spend more time getting to know the One, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again so that we might live eternally?
At what moment did you realize that daily time digesting scripture, daily time connecting with the Lord through prayer, daily time worshipping and praising the One who enables us to breathe and simply BE, is more important than worrying about what might happen tomorrow?
Tomorrow will be here soon enough.
What are you doing today to make your transition into eternity fulfilling?
What are you doing today to take care of yourself so that you can be of use to others as the Lord directs?
What does your soul-sensor reveal to you today?
Breathe deep, sit still, re-member, move forward . . . slowly.
God is good?
Life is good?
Are you good?
Could we go through what Christ Jesus when through?
Are you good?
PAUSE
Palm Sunday begins Holy Week in which many denominations walk with Jesus to the Cross through the entire week, through His burial and resurrection the following Sunday. Each day focuses on one part of the
‘Passion’ that is read on Palm Sunday, the day we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
The lengthy chapters in the Gospel of Matthew are read aloud as several people read varied parts. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, the crowd laid Palms and cloaks before him and shouted words of praise. This begins our walk with Jesus through His passion, death, burial and resurrection for the salvation of all humanity.
April 5 Sunday of the Passion - Palm Sunday
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 26:14—27:66 or 27:11-54
Isaiah 50:4-9a "Behold, the Lord God Helps me."
Psalm 31:14 "I trust in you O Lord . . . You are my God."
Philippians 2:10b "At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven and on the earth and under the earth."
Think about it: Today, just read the scriptures, above, and the Passion, below. If you watch your church service live-stream or on facebook or YouTube, listen as if you are there, as if you are following Jesus to the Cross.
If the Passion is not read, read this selection in Matthew carefully. I have highlighted the main points. However, by reading each word, your soul will absorb the presence of the Lord as you walk with Him, every step of the way . . . to the Cross.
If the Passion is not read, read this selection in Matthew carefully. I have highlighted the main points. However, by reading each word, your soul will absorb the presence of the Lord as you walk with Him, every step of the way . . . to the Cross.
This reading covers the entire Holy Week in which many people walk the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Grief, from Monday through Friday.
Matthew 26:14—27:66 The Passover,
the Last Supper :21 “One of you will betray me”
the Last Supper :21 “One of you will betray me”
26:26-35 Lord’s supper instituted. :26 “Take, eat, this is my body.” :28 “This is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
26:36 - 46 Garden of Gethsemane. :41 Jesus said to his disciples, “Keep watching and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” :42 Jesus returned to prayer and said, “Lord, if this cannot pass until I drink it, thy will be done.”
26:47-56 Jesus’ betrayal and arrest: Judas makes a bargain with the chief prophets to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
26:57-68 Jesus before Caiaphas. :64 Jesus said, “I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
26:69-75 Peter’s denial :74 “Then Peter began to curse and swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed.
27:1-10 Judas’ remorse :4-5 Judas said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple he departed; and he went and hanged himself.
27:11-26 Jesus before Pilate :11 The governor asked, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “If you say so.”
27:27-31 Jesus is mocked. :29 After twisting some
thorns into a crown they put it on his head.
27:32-44 Crucifixion of Jesus. :35 And when they had crucified Him they divide his clothes among themselves and cast lots; then they sat down and kept watch over Him.
27:45-55 Death of Jesus. :46 About three o’clock in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!”
27:57-61 Burial of Jesus. :58 Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth and laid Him in his newly purchased tomb.
27:62-66 Guard at the tomb. :66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
It is only Sunday. Yet, we end the reading of an entire week, just before Resurrection Sunday.
This passage is read in its entirety because most people only plan to attend church on Sunday and they would miss most of the story if this was shared on actual days.
This year is different.
We cannot attend church daily to walk with Jesus but we can stay home and do so.
We will walk with Jesus through each stage beyond today’s triumphal entry.
It will be an enlightening week.
Does the heart stumble at the reality that Christ Jesus gave His life for us?
The Apostle, Paul, said “I have been crucified with Christ. Yet it is not I who live but Christ lives in me . . . “
Perhaps we are going through our own ‘crucifixion’ right now.
Take heart.
The worst that can happen is that you would be in paradise with our Lord. The thief on the cross next to Jesus said, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” None of us who ask in faith will be forgotten.
Let us walk together, quietly, in meditation, this entire week as we follow Jesus to the Cross.
April 6 Monday in Holy Week
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11
John 12:1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead. :3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.
Words weave a tapestry of present and future actions in
the culmination of events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Jesus, on the way to Jerusalem, stays at the home of his favorite disciples, as he usually did when coming from Galilee.
Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, is very much alive and has a dinner for Jesus. As they reclined at table, Mary ministered to Jesus as if she knew this would be the last time she would see Him at their home.
She had such a deep connection with God that it almost seemed intuitive that she use the expensive nard on Jesus’ feet.
This gesture spoke volumes to Jesus.
The sweet fragrance of this fragrant ointment, worth about eleven month’s wages, was usually used for embalming the dead.
Mary seemed compelled to use this nard on Jesus’ feet while He dined at table. The balm was indeed a gift for sore feet that had traveled many miles but it was also a sign of what is to come.
Jesus knew this even if Mary did not.
This balm heals wounds and preserves the body as it covers the deteriorating flesh.
Yet, this balm fills the room with fragrance that touches deep within the soul.
Mary “wiped” the excess nard from Jesus’ feet with her hair. The word for “wiped,” in this instance, is the same word used when Jesus “Washed” the feet of His disciples at Passover, the Last Supper.
Every movement of this supper with His dear friends, the family of God, is a foretaste of what is to come.
This only shows us the deep contrast between the sacrificial heart of Mary and Judas Iscariot’s heart that could only betray.
Mary knew only that she must do what she did even when
Judas objected to the ‘waste of nard that could be sold and money given to the poor.’ We know Judas, the treasurer for the disciples, was only interested in adding money to his stash. After all, as Jesus affirmed, “Let her keep it for my burial. You will always have the poor but you will not always have Me.”
This moment was a magnificent gesture of Mary’s love for Jesus.
This moment would be but a shadow of the unimaginable love Jesus gave to humanity when He poured out His life for us.
Think about it: The contrast and symbolism between this gathering and the coming events on the way to the Cross are meant to prepare the disciples, and us, for what is yet to come.
We have the gift of hind-sight which the disciples did not have.
We know what is going to happen.
Yet, it is still difficult for us to truly see what Jesus is saying.
We know the story.
We’ve read it and heard it and walked with Jesus to the Cross annually for how many years?
Yet, our reading of scripture seems to surprise us at every turn.
When you read this same story in each of the Gospels, do you see small surprises packed into scripture?
Do you discover one more action that points to the final days or hours of Jesus’ life?
Do you know which Mary this is? Do you know her story?
She is the one who shows us that the greater the sin-filled life, the greater understanding of forgiveness.
The greater sense of forgiveness, the deeper our love is for the One who saved us from that sin-filled life.
The more we learn about the people in this story, the more we see the beauty in Mary’s self-less act of love.
What’s your story?
When did you die to your old self?
What priceless gift are you willing to give to the Lord in response to the priceless gift of salvation He gave to you?
Together, let’s take this entire week to slowly walk with Jesus to the Cross.
Perhaps we will discover a deeper understanding as this story unfolds.
April 7 Tuesday in Holy Week
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 71:1-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36
Isaiah 49:1b “The Lord called me from the womb; from the body of my mother He named me.”
I was called to be His forever, since I was conceived.
Because He know me, I was His from the very beginning.
Isaiah spoke these words for God’s Chosen People.
He spoke these words for himself.
He spoke these words for all generations, called by God, the moment we are conceived, to be His own forever.
We are God’s creation, meant to glorify our Lord, spoken into existence at the time our world was created.
God created humankind with a soul, a place within us meant only for God’s presence to reside.
Only humans, and none other, are given the capacity within, the soul, to house the presence of God.
Only that which glorifies God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, only that which is planted by our Lord, can reside within our soul.
God named Israel, “My own.”
God named Isaiah, “My own.”
God named us, “My own.”
God calls us “His own” because God called us into being.
“It is He who has made us and we are His.” Psalm 100
God called us but we must say, “yes.”
When we say,”yes” to God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, “We are in Christ Jesus who became to us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” 1 Cor. 1:30
According to our baptismal vows, “We have become Christ’s own forever.”
The one who is baptized is given a lit candle to remind us that we are the “Light of Christ,” thus fulfilling the words of Jesus, “While you have the Light, believe in the Light so that you may become sons of Light!” John 12:36
Think about it: We are called before we are born.
Our life is precious to our Lord at conception.
He wants each of us to be His own forever.
We only have to say ‘yes’ and give our whole life to Him.
That’s all?
Give our whole life to our Lord?
Our WHOLE life?
Everything?
As we walk the Via Dolorosa, the way of grief, with Jesus this week, think about your whole life.
Did you, being carried by your mother, endure trauma while in the womb?
Can you see Jesus with you and your mother during that trauma?
Perhaps you do not know your birth-mother or father.
Know that you are loved with an everlasting love, a love that gave you life!
Give it all to Jesus . . . who, in turn, will nail it to the Cross as He is nailed to the Cross.
Perhaps your mother told you stories of her joy and great health as she carried you. Perhaps you are one of numerous babies she carried within her womb.
Rejoice as you review your life-timeline.
We all began at the beginning in the palm of the Lord’s hands.
Whether challenging or delight-filled, from the beginning, we were ‘called’ to be His own forever.
It’s our “Yes” that our Lord wants to hear.
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