What Are We Looking For?

"Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”
(John 20:15)

Easter Blessings

"What does it mean that Jesus is risen? It means that the love of God is stronger than evil and death itself; it means that the love of God can transform our lives and let those desert places in our hearts bloom." ~Pope Francis

Pope Francis' Easter Urbi et Orbi 

Easter Vigil

"But when they hear the message of the Resurrection, they accept it in faith. And the two men in dazzling clothes tell them something of crucial importance: 
"Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee… And they remembered his words" (Luke 24:6,8). 
They are asked to remember their encounter with Jesus, to remember his words, his actions, his life; and it is precisely this loving remembrance of their experience with the Master that enables the women to master their fear and to bring the message of the Resurrection to the Apostles and all the others (cf. Luke 24:9). To remember what God has done and continues to do for me, for us, to remember the road we have travelled; this is what opens our hearts to hope for the future. May we learn to remember everything that God has done in our lives."   
~Pope Francis, Easter Vigil Homily

Holy Saturday

Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me
and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.

- Bl. Charles de Foucauld

Living with Christ

Good Friday

the cross and the crown

the cross and the crown

came tumbling down

crusted with gull and blood

what an ensemble to wear

no gold and silver

no jewels to glimmer

twisted and cruel

made of rage, worn for salvation

blood and sweat drip

from each crevice and fingertip

whip,  crack, snap

stab him here

crowds chant and cry

“crucify”, watch him die

until the curtain tears, the earth quakes

“Father forgive them, they know not what they do”

each time the cock crows

they deny

not willing to carry the cross 
or wear the crown

even just for one day

or to repent or pray

if only they knew what heaven awaits

and the promises that God has made.

who is they, them

or is it I?

that crucified

hung on the cross to die...

only to rise

forgive

love

live

eternally
and the cross and crown
he will wear
in glory and splendor
until now and ever after.

Stay With Me

"Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ~Matthew 26:41

After Mike died this scripture resonated with me. I was going through a tough time where there were things I wanted to do or change in my life, but I was tired both mentally, physically...my spirit was willing, but my flesh (body) was weak. I was so frustrated then and just wanted the grief to go away. Three and a half years later I can say I am at such a different place, I'm healed in so many ways, not to my own avail, all by the grace of God. Tonight at the end of mass the choir sang this song, taize style, and I started to think about how I was feeling and something started stirring inside...didn't want the song to end, or to leave. Thoughts started tossing in my head, as I started to think about how this scripture applies to my life now. I began to wonder what decision(s) is my spirit willing and my flesh weak? Are there earthly things holding me back? Going to "watch & pray" on these things.