Bible Passage: Matthew 28:1-10: Jesus Is Risen! “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Christ’s Love: On the third day, I rise from the dead, just as I had promised. I first appear to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, then to the disciples. Praise be to God, our Almighty Father! I have risen from the grave! I have conquered death! I have brought new life for you and for all! Easter is a day of most joyous celebration. Let us rejoice and be glad! Christ is risen! When I appear to the disciples behind the locked doors, I tell them “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” I then breathe on them and say “receive the Holy Spirit.” My beloved child, you have journeyed with Me through this sacred last week of My Life and My Resurrection to new life. As we culminate our journey together, I say to you just as I said to My disciples, “Peace be with you, My peace I leave with you. As the Father has sent Me, so now I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit, and be filled with My Grace and Peace.” Now is silence, listen to Me as I speak to your heart and hear the message to that I long to leave with you today. (Quiet time for prayer and personal reflection) Prayer: Heavenly Father, Resurrected Son, Living Spirit, I thank you and I love you! Your grace is enough for me. Help me to live out your call today and for all of my days to come. Guide me to be a living remembrance of Christ’s love in the world. Amen From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly
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Bible Passage: Matthew 27:62-65: “Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” Christ's Love: My body is now in the tomb but My soul is fully alive! Up to this time, the gates to heaven were closed and no one could go there because of the original sin of Adam and Eve. I am about to change all of that. On this day, I awaken the dead in the netherworld with My voice of salvation, to bring with Me into heaven those who had died before My coming. I paid the ultimate price for their sins and for your sins on the Cross, giving eternal salvation for all who believe in Me. Heaven will be opened once more! Meanwhile The Disciples, heartbroken at my death, observe the Jewish Sabbath in sorrow. They were scared and have forgotten My promise that I will rise. They are anxious, worried, and full of fear. Their faith has been tested, but little do they know that I will rise again and bring all doubts to rest. Holy Saturday is a day of waiting, of vigilance, and of patient anticipation. Knowing that I will rise from the dead and open the gates of Heaven for you and for all is very exciting. But you must be patience, vigilant, and trusting in the Lord. My beloved child, in what areas of your life do you need to be more vigilant? What areas of your life do you need to show more patience? Share with Me your feelings and allow Me to guide you with My grace and peace. (Quiet time for prayer and personal reflection) Prayer: Gracious Father, send your grace as a blanket to protect and comfort me. Help me not to be impatient or anxious, but rather to be vigilant and trust in your loving plan for my life. Bring peace to my heart as I turn trustingly to you in all things. Amen From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Bible passage: Luke 23: 33-43, The Crucifixion: “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Christ's Love: All through the night I am locked in the dungeon of the high priest’s house. Early this morning I am brought before Pilate who bows to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds, and condemns Me to a horrible death by crucifixion. The crowds chant “free Barabbas”, as I am sentenced to die. In the late morning I am violently beaten and forced by the soldiers through the city and up the hillside of Golgotha. By noon I am nailed to the cross where I hang in agony for some three hours. I will die around three in the afternoon and be taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb hastily before sundown. As I hang on the cross, I cry out “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.” If I am able to forgive those who have physically beaten and brought about my death, how much more able am I to forgive you for the sins you have committed? My loving child, I ask you now to examine your conscience and nail all of your sins to My Cross. Once you have acknowledged your wrongdoings and fully given them over to Me, I will tell you “It is finished, it is done!”, and your sins are truly and eternally forgiven. Repent to Me now and allow Me to give you freedom from your sins. (Quiet time for prayer and personal repentance) My forgiven child, it is finished, it is done! Prayer: O Holy Redeemer, You underwent such agonized suffering for me, in order to restore me and bring me to new life. May I show You my thankfulness in my penance for my sins, my true desire to fight against sin, and above all in my love for You. O Holy God, have mercy upon me. Amen. From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Holy Thursday: Pray with Me Bible Passage: Matthew 26:26-30 The Last Supper “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Christ's Love: Earlier this day, I give instructions to My closest disciples on how to prepare for this most holy meal, which will be My last supper. We celebrate a beautiful meal together as friends. I bless bread and break it, sharing it with My apostles and asking them to take and eat of My body. I bless wine and ask them to drink of it as My blood of the covenant, and to do all of this in remembrance of Me. I then wash the feet of my 12 friends, uniting us in service to one another. After the Last Supper, the apostles and I make a short journey to the Garden where I ask them to pray for Me and I experience My agony and suffering over my impending death. It will be near Midnight that I will be betrayed by Judas, arrested, and taken to the house of the High Priest. Until then, my gracious child, will you sit and pray with Me as I agonize over God’s plan for my life? If you are agonizing over something in your life, call out to God as I am doing now, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.” Share your struggles with Our Heavenly Father and ask for His will to be done. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: “Heavenly Father, may your will be done in my life. Lead me on the path of righteousness. Open doors that You have blessed and shut those which you know are not right for my life. Bless me that I may know and trust your will for my life.” From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Holy Wednesday: Betrayal Bible Reading: Matthew 26: 14-16 “Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.” Christ's Love: I know that one of my close friends will have to betray Me in order for God’s plan to come to it’s beautiful and perfect end, but it still hurts when Judas turns against Me. He seemed to be my loyal and true friend, but he is willing to hand me over for 30 pieces of silver. My heart aches thinking of a friend deceiving and betraying me in such a hurtful way. Although I do not approve of what he has done, I choose to forgive him and love him anyway. My tender child, I know that friends and family members have turned against you and hurt you in unimaginable ways throughout your life. My heart aches every time your heart aches. I ask you today to give this hurt to Me and allow Me to heal your heart. Hand over the person or people who have hurt you, and pray for them now. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Forgiving Father, I ask for you to remove the heart ache from my life and replace it with your eternal love and joy. I pray for those who have hurt me and ask that you lead them on a path to know and to love you fully. From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Holy Tuesday: A Time of Questioning Bible passage: Matthew 22: 34-40 “Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Christ's Love: I again return to Jerusalem where I am confronted by the Temple leadership for what I did yesterday in the temple and on the streets. They question my authority. They attempt to trick me and test me. I continue to teach and preach the truth, the Love and salvation of our Lord God. Although they have seen Me perform miracles and they have heard my parables of love and redemption and resurrection, the authorities still question Me and continue to condemn me. They lack faith. They lack trust. They seek ultimate power and control, not realizing that these things are only in the hands of Our Heavenly Father. My beautiful child, what areas of your life are you trying to control without trusting in Me? What areas are you not allowing My loving grace to bless? When you try so hard to control everything in your life, you only end up disappointed. Trust in Me, have faith in Me, and I will set you free. Let go of these areas of life that you are trying to control. Give them over to Me right now and watch as I bless them with My ultimate grace and redemption. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Lord God, I trust you with my entire life. I give you everything that I have been clinging so tightly to and trying to control. Please break these chains and set me free to love and be loved as you have called me to do. I trust You, I love You, I need you, I thank you! Amen From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Holy Monday: Cleansing of the Temple Bible Passage: Mark 11: 15-18 “They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have made it a den of thieves.” The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeing a way to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.” Christ's Love: When I return to Jerusalem today and see these shameful practices in the Temple area, I am both enraged and saddened. This is My Father’s House, a sacred ground for Me, for you, and for all of God’s people. I have no choice, I must cleanse the Temple. By cleansing the temple of all its cheating and overall corruption, I directly challenge the hypocrisy of the Jewish religious leaders. In turn, I challenge and confront all people throughout time to turn away from sin, hypocrisy, lying, and cheating. My blessed child, allow Me to clear out anything that is cluttering the beautiful temple that God created within you. Maybe it is guilt, or judgment, or fear, or insecurity. What is causing you stress or burden today? Please share it with me now and I will relieve your troubles, just as the Lord relieved mine. Offer up now whatever is keeping you from fully experiencing My Love, and I will turn over these tables, creating a clean heart in you. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that you are as zealous in purifying me as you were in cleansing the temple. Rid all negativity from my life, knock over my tables of jealousy, cleanse me fully of my insecurities and fears. Release my heart from all that burdens me so that I may live more fully in the light of your glory. Create in me a purified temple so that the Holy Spirit may live in me. Amen From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Palm Sunday: Celebration with Anticipation Bible reading: Matthew 21: 8-11 "Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” Christ's Love: The town is all a buzz as I enter Jerusalem. The crowds cry out “Hosanna” which means “Oh Lord, grant us salvation.” They are calling out to Me as their King, yet I am here to serve them. I enter the town riding on a humble donkey, not in a glamorous chariot. I love to see My people welcome Me so graciously into Jerusalem and give Me thanks and praise, but I also know that the tides will soon change, leading to betrayal, suffering, and soon My death on the cross. My feelings are in turmoil right now. I am both excited and overwhelmed by what is in store for me. I know that only through God’s loving grace will I be able to do everything that He has planned for me during this Holy Week. My precious child, walk with Me through My journey in days to come. I trust fully in the Lord, and I call you to do the same. Have courage, stay close to Me, and allow me to grant you salvation and freedom from the weight of the cross that you bare today. Just as the town’s people give thanks and praise to the Lord for the many miracles I have performed and the blessings that I have bestowed on them, I ask you to begin our journey together by thinking of all that you have been blessed with. As you focus on what is good in your life instead of what is wrong, your blessings will multiply and your hardships will dwindle. Give thanks and praise to our Father in Heaven who loves to give you glorious gifts. My child, please share your blessings with Me now. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the multitude of blessings in my life. You are a kind, loving, and compassionate God, and for that I thank you. Help me to keep my eyes focused on you Lord, praising you and thanking you in all I do. Amen From The Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Holy Week Meditation: Inspired by the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Written by Amy Connelly Palm Sunday: Celebration with Anticipation Bible reading: Matthew 21: 8-11 "Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.” Christ's Love: The town is all a buzz as I enter Jerusalem. The crowds cry out “Hosanna” which means “Oh Lord, grant us salvation.” They are calling out to Me as their King, yet I am here to serve them. I enter the town riding on a humble donkey, not in a glamorous chariot. I love to see My people welcome Me so graciously into Jerusalem and give Me thanks and praise, but I also know that the tides will soon change, leading to betrayal, suffering, and soon My death on the cross. My feelings are in turmoil right now. I am both excited and overwhelmed by what is in store for me. I know that only through God’s loving grace will I be able to do everything that He has planned for me during this Holy Week. My precious child, walk with Me through My journey in days to come. I trust fully in the Lord, and I call you to do the same. Have courage, stay close to Me, and allow me to grant you salvation and freedom from the weight of the cross that you bare today. Just as the town’s people give thanks and praise to the Lord for the many miracles I have performed and the blessings that I have bestowed on them, I ask you to begin our journey together by thinking of all that you have been blessed with. As you focus on what is good in your life instead of what is wrong, your blessings will multiply and your hardships will dwindle. Give thanks and praise to our Father in Heaven who loves to give you glorious gifts. My child, please share your blessings with Me now. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the multitude of blessings in my life. You are a kind, loving, and compassionate God, and for that I thank you. Help me to keep my eyes focused on you Lord, praising you and thanking you in all I do. Amen Holy Monday: Cleansing of the Temple Bible Passage: Mark 11: 15-18 “They came to Jerusalem, and on entering the temple area he began to drive out those selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. He did not permit anyone to carry anything through the temple area. Then he taught them saying, “Is it not written: ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’? But you have made it a den of thieves.” The chief priests and the scribes came to hear of it and were seeing a sway to put him to death, yet they feared him because the whole crowd was astonished at his teaching.” Christ's Love: When I return to Jerusalem today and see these shameful practices in the Temple area, I am both enraged and saddened. This is My Father’s House, a sacred ground for Me, for you, and for all of God’s people. I have no choice, I must cleanse the Temple. By cleansing the temple of all its cheating and overall corruption, I directly challenge the hypocrisy of the Jewish religious leaders. In turn, I challenge and confront all people throughout time to turn away from sin, hypocrisy, lying, and cheating. My blessed child, allow Me to clear out anything that is cluttering the beautiful temple that God created within you. Maybe it is guilt, or judgment, or fear, or insecurity. What is causing you stress or burden today? Please share it with me now and I will relieve your troubles, just as the Lord relieved mine. Offer up now whatever is keeping you from fully experiencing My Love, and I will turn over these tables, creating a clean heart in you. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that you are as zealous in purifying me as you were in cleansing the temple. Rid all negativity from my life, knock over my tables of jealousy, cleanse me fully of my insecurities and fears. Release my heart from all that burdens me so that I may live more fully in the light of your glory. Create in me a purified temple so that the Holy Spirit may live in me. Amen Holy Tuesday: A Time of Questioning Bible passage: Matthew 22: 34-40 “Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Christ's Love: I again return to Jerusalem where I am confronted by the Temple leadership for what I did yesterday in the temple and on the streets. They question my authority. They attempt to trick me and test me. I continue to teach and preach the truth, the Love and salvation of our Lord God. Although they have seen Me perform miracles and they have heard my parables of love and redemption and resurrection, the authorities still question Me and continue to condemn me. They lack faith. They lack trust. They seek ultimate power and control, not realizing that these things are only in the hands of Our Heavenly Father. My beautiful child, what areas of your life are you trying to control without trusting in Me? What areas are you not allowing My loving grace to bless? When you try so hard to control everything in your life, you only end up disappointed. Trust in Me, have faith in Me, and I will set you free. Let go of these areas of life that you are trying to control. Give them over to Me right now and watch as I bless them with My ultimate grace and redemption. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Lord God, I trust you with my entire life. I give you everything that I have been clinging so tightly to and trying to control. Please break these chains and set me free to love and be loved as you have called me to do. I trust You, I love You, I need you, I thank you! Amen Holy Wednesday: Betrayal Bible Reading: Matthew 26: 14-16 “Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.” Christ's Love: I know that one of my close friends will have to betray Me in order for God’s plan to come to it’s beautiful and perfect end, but it still hurts when Judas turns against Me. He seemed to be my loyal and true friend, but he is willing to hand me over for 30 pieces of silver. My heart aches thinking of a friend deceiving and betraying me in such a hurtful way. Although I do not approve of what he has done, I choose to forgive him and love him anyway. My tender child, I know that friends or family members have turned against you and hurt you in unimaginable ways throughout your life. My heart aches every time your heart aches. I ask you today to give this hurt to Me and allow Me to heal your heart. Hand over the person or people who have hurt you, and pray for them now. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: Forgiving Father, I ask for you to remove the heart ache from my life and replace it with your eternal love and joy. I pray for those who have hurt me and ask that you lead them on a path to know and to love you fully. Holy Thursday: Pray with Me Bible Passage: Matthew 26:26-30 The Last Supper “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Christ's Love: Earlier this day I give instructions to the disciples on how to prepare for this most holy meal, which will be My last supper. We celebrate a beautiful meal together as friends. I bless bread and break it, sharing it with my disciples and asking them to take and eat of My body. I bless wine and ask them to drink of it as My blood of the covenant, and to do all of this in remembrance of Me. I then wash the feet of my 12 friends, uniting us in service to one another. After the Last Supper, the apostles and I make a short journey to the Garden where I ask them to pray for Me and I experience My agony and suffering over my impending death. It will be near Midnight that I will be betrayed by Judas, arrested, and taken to the house of the High Priest. Until then, my gracious child, will you sit and pray with Me as I agonize over God’s plan for my life? If you are agonizing over something in your life, call out to God as I am doing now, “My father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will.” Share your struggles with Our Heavenly Father and ask for His will to be done. (Quiet time for prayer and reflection) Prayer: “Heavenly Father, may your will be done in my life. Lead me on the path of righteousness. Open doors that You have blessed and shut those which you know are not right for my life. Bless me that I may know and trust your will for my life.” Good Friday: Nailed to the Cross Bible passage: Luke 23: 33-43, The Crucifixion: “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Christ's Love: All through the night I am locked in the dungeon of the high priest’s house. Early this morning I am brought before Pilate who bows to the pressure of the Temple leadership and the crowds, and condemns Me to a horrible death by crucifixion. The crowds chant “free Barabbas”, as I am sentenced to die. In the late morning I am violently beaten and forced by the soldiers through the city and up the hillside of Golgotha. By noon I am nailed to the cross where I hang in agony for some three hours. I will die around three in the afternoon and be taken down from the cross and placed in the tomb hastily before sundown. As I hang on the cross, I cry out “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.” If I am able to forgive those who have physically beaten and brought about my death, how much more able am I to forgive you for the sins you have committed? My loving child, I ask you now to examine your conscience and nail all of your sins to My Cross. Once you have acknowledged your wrongdoings and fully given them over to Me, I will tell you “It is finished, it is done!”, and your sins are truly and eternally forgiven. Repent to Me now and allow Me to give you freedom from your sins.” (Quiet time for prayer and personal repentance) My forgiven child, it is finished, it is done! Prayer: O Holy Redeemer, You underwent such agonized suffering for me, in order to restore me and bring me to new life. May I show You my thankfulness in my penance for my sins, my true desire to fight against sin, and above all in my love for You. O Holy God, have mercy upon me. Amen. Holy Saturday: Be Vigilant Bible Passage: Matthew 27:62-65: “Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” Christ's Love: My body is now in the tomb but My soul is fully alive! Up to this time, the gates to heaven were closed and no one could go there because of the original sin of Adam and Eve. I am about to change all of that. On this day, I awaken the dead in the netherworld with My voice of salvation, to bring with Me into heaven those who had died before My coming. I paid the ultimate price for their sins and for your sins on the Cross, giving eternal salvation for all who believe in Me. Heaven will be opened once more! Meanwhile The Disciples, heartbroken at my death, observe the Jewish Sabbath in sorrow. They were scared and have forgotten My promise that I will rise. They are anxious, worried, and full of fear. Their faith has been tested, but little do they know that I will rise again and bring all doubts to rest. Holy Saturday is a day of waiting, of vigilance, and of patient anticipation. Knowing that I will rise from the dead and open the gates of Heaven for you and for all is very exciting. But you must be patience, vigilant, and trusting in the Lord. My beloved child, in what areas of your life do you need to be more vigilant? What areas of your life do you need to show more patience? Share with Me your feelings and allow Me to guide you with My grace and peace. (Quiet time for prayer and personal reflection) Prayer: Gracious Father, send your grace as a blanket to protect and comfort me. Help me not to be impatient or anxious, but rather to be vigilant and trust in your loving plan for my life. Bring peace to my heart as I turn trustingly to you in all things. Amen Easter Sunday: Resurrection and New Life Bible Passage: Matthew 28:1-10: Jesus Is Risen! “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus *said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Christ's Love: On the third day, I rise from the dead, just as I had promised. I first appear to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, then to the disciples. Praise be to God, our Almighty Father! I have risen from the grave! I have conquered death! I have brought new life for all! Easter is a day of most joyous celebration. Let us rejoice and be glad! Christ is risen! When I appear to the disciples behind the locked doors, I tell them “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” I then breathe on them and say “receive the Holy Spirit.” My beloved child, you have journeyed with Me through this sacred last week of My Life and My Resurrection to new life. As we culminate our journey together, I say to you just as I said to My disciples, “peace be with you, my peace I leave with you. As the Father has sent Me, so now I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit, and be filled with My Grace and Peace.” Now is silence, listen to Me speak to your heart and hear the message to that I long to leave with you today. (Quiet time for prayer and personal reflection) Prayer: Heavenly Father, Resurrected Son, Living Spirit, I thank you and I love you! Your grace is enough for me. Help me to live out your call today, during Holy Week, and for all of my days to come. Guide me to be a living remembrance of Christ’s love in the world. Songs for Meditation during Holy Week:
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”… The Lord’s Prayer Lent is a time of forgiveness, a time to cleanse our souls of personal sin, but also a time to forgive others who have sinned against us. As we prayerfully examine the depths of our hearts, we allow the Lord to free us from the chains of guilt and sin (both our own and others) that hold us back from experiencing the glory He has planned for us. Every time we pray the Our Father, we ask for forgiveness, but also declare that we will forgive others… “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In order for us to be fully forgiven, we must also be willing to forgive, to love others as Jesus loves us. In our Mom’s Group meeting this last week, Claire Frazier-Yzaguirre, MFT and author of Thriving Families, spoke to us about “The Power of Forgiveness and Reconciliation”. She opened her discussion by calling each of us to “live at the intersection of mercy and justice.” She explained that forgiveness is not condoning or excusing bad behavior but rather recognizing the truth and speaking the truth in a merciful and loving way. Forgiveness calls us to see others as Jesus sees them, with compassion, not condemnation; to declare “I love you more than what you did!” God longs for us to live in unity and peace. He calls us to stop judging and start restoring dignity. She said that God wants each of us to go through a “grudge detox”, showing compassionate acceptance and searching for healthy solutions instead of judgment. Our speaker also reminded of the passage in the Bible of the women caught in adultery (click here to read John 8:1-11). The part of this passage that we most often remember is the line “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” This is a powerful line and one that bears repeating over and over every day, but the part that Claire called us to focus on was the final line of the passage where Jesus says to her “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” Jesus meets the adulterous woman at the intersection of mercy and justice. He does not condemn her nor does he allow others to condemn her, but he also does not condone her behavior. He forgives her and loves her, but closes by telling her to “sin no more”. In forgiveness, we are also often called to put on the shoes of the other person and walk in them for bit. As we seek to understand where the other person is coming from, it may give us more clarity as to what was going on in their life at the moment they hurt us. It can help with to be less judgmental and more compassionate. A quote that really struck me was “hurt people, hurt people.” In other words, people who have tremendous hurt in their own lives, often turn their pain into hurtful actions towards others. They are like a wounded animal, lashing out aggressively at anything that comes near them. As we seek to understand their behavior (not condone it by any means!), we can more clearly and openly discuss solutions in a loving, merciful manner. Anger, grudges, and judging create hearts of stone within us. During Lent especially, let us remember that Jesus died on the cross to take ALL of these things away from us. Allow Jesus today to melt our hearts of stone, giving us the grace to love others as He loves us all! For meditation: Say the Our Father slowly and meditatively, letting the words fully cover your being. Focus on the words “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Pray over the areas of your life where you need forgiveness. Then also pray over the areas of your life where you need to forgive. See your “trespassers” as Jesus sees them. Walk in their shoes. Think of ways that you can speak truth mercifully into these hurtful relationships. During these last couple of weeks of Lent, seek both to forgive and be forgiven. Written by Amy Connelly for the OLQA Mom’s Group |
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January 2015
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