Good Friday, April 22:

Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins; upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed. We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; but the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, a grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.

Holy Thursday, April 21: by Greg H

Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Especially in the midst of our own suffering and turmoils, it can be easy to forget all that Christ did for us. As well as all that He gave up for us. Had He chosen, he could have avoided all the suffering, all the indignities and pain. Instead, he performed the ultimate act of love by giving up His own life for ours and taking on all our sins. He loves us not only in spite of our sins and flaws, but in the midst of them. All He asks in return, especially in this Lenten season, is our love in return. Small price to pay for all He gave us.

CHALLENGE: Take 3 minutes today to reflect on what it means that God would humble Himself so much to wash the dirty feet of His disciples (the same men that Jesus knew would deny knowing him and who were nowhere to be found hours later when he was arrested)

Wednesday, April 20: by Sarah B.

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; And I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let him confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?


We must taste the bitter if we are to enjoy the sweet. Scripture, on this last day before the beginning of the Triduum, allows us to see what will happen to us if we choose to follow Christ’s mission. This passage sets the tone for what begins tomorrow evening with the feast of the Lord’s Supper. In this passage Isaiah is describing the humble ministry of Christ as the suffering servant. Isaiah describes his mission to “…speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” Who are the weary? The weary are those who at times turn away from Christ, those who do not fully believe that God has his hand in every second of our life. We are ALL the” weary” in whom this passage is referring to. But what is the “word” that will rouse us? It is our hope in God.
Isaiah feels the pains of humiliation and persecution that he undergoes for the sake of God’s word. Those he loves turn away from him, but he somehow finds strength, he is steadfast in the mission that God gave him because of his faith in God. Like Isaiah we will be condemned if we choose to follow Christ, we may lose hope at times. In the midst of all pain and suffering which this decision might incur, we must remember that in the midst of it, the fight has already been fought. A man moved by love and compassion, offered himself as a sacrifice in our place. Like Isaiah we do not deserve or earn the humiliation that we receive for being Christians. But just as Isaiah, we are called to love, serve, honor, and obey the One who gives us hope and saved us.

CHALLENGE: Take a few minutes after mass or communion this weekend to really think of the sacrifice that we were just brought into. Meditate on Christ resting inside of you and the strength that he has just bestowed on you through the Eucharist. Thank Him in a new way for all that he has given you and ask Him to reveal to you the mission he has for in his plan of salvation. Do you
have the strength to boldly speak to the “weary” about Christ in today’s world?

Tuesday, April 19: by Kathy H.

Hear me, O islands, listen, O distant peoples. The Lord called me from birth, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God. For now the Lord has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, that Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; and I am made glorious in the sight of the Lord, and my God is now my strength! It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.


Thoughts: God created you and has called you. From the very moment of your conception, he has known you. He has great plans for your life. Throughout the Gospel you can hear the call of Jesus to take up your cross and follow him. It is a call to take all the bad stuff, all the sin in life and offer it back up to God to attain freedom. It is to offer up the pain and suffering life brings so you can live in joy and peace. It is his desire for you to live a full life – having fun – celebrating this precious gift he has given. In this way, you will be a true light to the world, loving and living in joy even through the suffering. Blessed Mother Theresa said, "Life is the most beautiful gift of God."

Prayer: Dear God, please help me to see my life as the gift that it is. Thank you for loving me and creating me. Please help me to be your good and faithful servant, and to so in joy, bringing your light to the world. Amen

Challenge: cover your hands in dirt (or charcoal) and rub them together to release the excess dirt. Look at all the lines in your hands and your finger prints. (dirt/charcoal helps you see the it better) Know God designed you just the way you are. He knows every line and curve. Not even identical twins have the same finger prints.

Mediation song: its about Christians just having fun.
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FBB10JNU

Monday, April 18: by Paul C

Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.


Reflection: The victory of justice? A light for the nations? It seems as if God is asking the impossible. After all, I'm just one person and my efforts can't amount to much. But remember that God doesn't see us the way we do. Remember God uses those whom we would call weak to shame the strong. All we have to do is try. We are not the judge our efforts. We do the best we can and trust the Lord to use us in His plan.

CHALLENGE: Don't dismiss the power of a kind word or just a smile. Smile at someone you don't know well or greet them by name, even if their first name is the only thing you know about them. It can really make someone's day,: and yours, too.

Saturday, April 16: by Chip S.

No longer shall they defile themselves with their idols, their abominations, and all their transgressions. I will deliver them from all their sins of apostasy, and cleanse them so that they may be my people and I may be their God. My servant David shall be prince over them, and there shall be one shepherd for them all; they shall live by my statutes and carefully observe my decrees. They shall live on the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where their fathers lived; they shall live on it forever, they, and their children, and their children’s children, with my servant David their prince forever. I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will multiply them, and put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling shall be with them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Thus the nations shall know that it is I, the LORD, who make Israel holy, when my sanctuary shall be set up among them forever.


This passage was written by Ezekiel during the Babylonian Exile – when the Jews were being held captive in Babylon and unable to return to the Promised Land of Israel.  Through Ezekiel, the Lord reaffirms His love for them (“…they may be my people and I may be their God.”) and reminds them that they remain His chosen people who will one day return to the land He promised them. We too are living in exile: sin holds us captive and prevents us from living in the Eden (Paradies) that God created for us.  However, unlike the Jews of Babylon, we’re no longer waiting for our Savior.  We have access to Heaven on Earth because Jesus chooses to be truly present to us in the Eucharist!
 
Challenge:  A soul free from sin knows true joy, which is perhaps the best glimpse we can get of Heaven while on Earth.  When was the last time you went to confession?  There are still plenty of opportunities to get there before Easter!

Friday, April 15: by Nate

I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.” But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause.


Sometimes when things aren't going our way it is easy to feel alone, abandoned.  Jeremiah finds himself in one of those spots in this reading as he cries out to God for help.  In just one week we will celebrate Good Friday where we remember Christ's death on the cross for us.  In his death, he joins with us in the worst of our suffering and he joins us in our cry to God for help.  He lets us know that we are never alone in those moments but that even in that aloneness, he is there.

Challenge:  Are you feeling alone or hurting?  Spend some time thinking of Christ on the cross and thank him for being so near even when he feels so far.  Do you know someone who is alone or hurting?  Be Christ to them by spending time with them.  Join your prayers with theirs and with Jeremiah's awaiting God's redemption.