mixed emotions
“I hear the whisperings of many.” —Jeremiah 20:10
A week from today will be Good Friday. We almost cringe as we think of hearing the reading of Christ’s passion and death. How will we be able to endure venerating the cross by kissing His wounds? We naturally are upset when we recall the death of our older Brother and loving Savior. We are even more disturbed when we realize that, through our sins, we were part of the gang that murdered Him (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, 598).
At first, the blood Jesus shed horrifies us; but when we consider His sacrifice for us, we begin to rejoice in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gal 6:14). The horror of Calvary becomes the joy of Good Friday. What began as the worst day in the history of the human race ended as the greatest day. This was the day of our redemption. So “sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for He has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!” (Jer 20:13)
Lord Jesus crucified, have mercy on us.
Prayer: Father, may the last week of Lent be among the most important weeks of my life.
Promise: “ ‘John may never have performed a sign,’ they commented, ‘but whatever John said about this Man was true.’ In that place, many came to believe in Him.” —Jn 10:41-42
Praise: JoAnn meditates on the Passion of Christ every Friday.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Redemptive Suffering, order, listen to, or download our CD 75-1 or DVD 75 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 31, 2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.