This was the first time I had ever been to whole Catholic place. I was there at the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center for a day of solitude retreat. I was not sure what to expect and, whether I wanted to or not, had brought a few questions of my own for God to answer. I gave those questions to him, however, and asked that he show his desires for me and that he give me a quietness to hear what the Spirit would teach me. During a lectio divina (Luke 15:11-31 was the passage) one phrase seemed to linger a little longer than the rest—“And the festivities began” (v24b). I was unsure what God meant by this.
It was raining rather steadily when I left the warm, dry building. I never prayed the Stations of the Cross before. In fact, I had never heard of it until a week or so earlier, but I would be open minded, I determined, and would pray them, regardless how much it rained or how cold it was. I held a brochure with the prayers for each station in my hands and tried to keep it dry, though I soon gave up. By the time I reached the second station, the rain was pouring. Undeterred, however, I walked through each stating, praying each one, often feeling convicted, but also encouraged knowing I am not the only one struggling in different areas of my life.
Before long I could feel the biting cold stinging my fingers as I held the dripping wet piece of paper. I did not mind though, especially if Christ endured so much on the road to and on the mount of Calvary.
As I approached the twelfth station, something strange happened to me. I was suddenly overcome with heart-rending sadness. I couldn’t speak, could barely say the prayer, and I found myself on the verge of tears. Seeing Christ on the cross, crying out to God—why would God sacrifice his Son for me? Regardless of the answer, that fact is, he did, and I am forever indebted to him.
Walking to the last station, that of the empty tomb, the rain easing up only slightly, I began to sense a transformation-taking place inside my heart. God showed me something I could only have understood after praying through the progression of Christ’s death and resurrection. The only way to truly understand and experience fully, to truly know the festivities and celebrations God has planned for us, his children ( Lk 15:24; Ps 84:11-12; Pr 8:30), we must first experience the darkness, pain, loneliness, and suffering belonging to death. Only when we enter into Christ's death, only when we die to self, can we be made alive with Christ.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Isaiah 35
For those who are in despair, who are anxious and worried, who feel defeat is upon them, I have these words to share with you: "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will save you" (Isaiah 35:4, ESV).
This chapter in Isaiah is filled with hope. Hope of a time when all tears and sorrows will disappear (Isaiah 35:10c; Revelation 21:4). The land will be filled with the glory of the LORD. That which was not perfect, which was broken, will be made new (vv. 8-7). It will be a time where evil will once and for all be removed from the land. Sin will no longer dwell among the good. And in this passage, the crescendo of hope and joy reaches its climax in verse 10: "The ransomed of the LORD shall return..." (ESV).
We are in Passion week right now--Good Friday is only four days away. This is a particularly appropriate time to reflect on Jesus' work on the cross (though it is always good to do this no matter what time of year). In Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples his purpose in life: to serve and give himself up as a ransom (Matthew 20:28). Before we knew Christ, we walked and lived in our sins, we were living dead people (Ephesians 2:1-3). But Christ died as a ransom.
Romans 5:12-21 reminds us of the grace we have received from God through Christ's work on the cross. It is easier, I think, to receive grace, than to give it. It is important to remember who we used to be and what Christ did for us, if only to prevent us from judging those around us (Romans 12:3).
Equal to, if not more important than, Christ's death, is his resurrection. We serve serve a risen Christ. When he rose from the grave, he returned to his Father in heaven, but promised before he left, that he would return again, and when he does, we will be redeemed (Titus 2:11-14). Our broken bodies will be made new (Revelation 21:5).
Therefore, as we reflect this week upon all God has done for us through his Son Jesus Christ and the promise of hope that awaits us at his return, let us live each moment with joy and praise, and let us "give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so" (Psalm 107:1-2a, ESV).
This chapter in Isaiah is filled with hope. Hope of a time when all tears and sorrows will disappear (Isaiah 35:10c; Revelation 21:4). The land will be filled with the glory of the LORD. That which was not perfect, which was broken, will be made new (vv. 8-7). It will be a time where evil will once and for all be removed from the land. Sin will no longer dwell among the good. And in this passage, the crescendo of hope and joy reaches its climax in verse 10: "The ransomed of the LORD shall return..." (ESV).
We are in Passion week right now--Good Friday is only four days away. This is a particularly appropriate time to reflect on Jesus' work on the cross (though it is always good to do this no matter what time of year). In Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples his purpose in life: to serve and give himself up as a ransom (Matthew 20:28). Before we knew Christ, we walked and lived in our sins, we were living dead people (Ephesians 2:1-3). But Christ died as a ransom.
Romans 5:12-21 reminds us of the grace we have received from God through Christ's work on the cross. It is easier, I think, to receive grace, than to give it. It is important to remember who we used to be and what Christ did for us, if only to prevent us from judging those around us (Romans 12:3).
Equal to, if not more important than, Christ's death, is his resurrection. We serve serve a risen Christ. When he rose from the grave, he returned to his Father in heaven, but promised before he left, that he would return again, and when he does, we will be redeemed (Titus 2:11-14). Our broken bodies will be made new (Revelation 21:5).
Therefore, as we reflect this week upon all God has done for us through his Son Jesus Christ and the promise of hope that awaits us at his return, let us live each moment with joy and praise, and let us "give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so" (Psalm 107:1-2a, ESV).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)