This short passage from the Gospel of Luke names some of the women who accompanied Jesus along with the Twelve Apostles, inspiring us to ask if we are ready to travel with the Lord today.
The sorrow of Mary as she stood faithfully before the Cross of Christ helps us to engage our grief. When we acknowledge our sorrows, we call upon the saving strength of Jesus to pass through our pain into healing joy.
2019 Pilgrimage to Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
This feast concentrates our attention on the instrument of our salvation, as we thank the Lord who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice that restores us to right relationship with God. May we gaze upon the Cross of Christ with grateful hearts each and every day!
Jesus makes it clear that to follow him means that we will carry a cross. As we confront whatever is hard and difficult in our lives today, may we open our hearts to God’s grace at work within us…trusting that the one who was victorious over his cross will transform our own as well.
When our words and actions follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, we find our lives are built on a rock solid foundation that withstands the storms of life.
Jesus offers sound wisdom. Before we can point out the “splinters” in someone’s eye, we need to take care of our own! This is not just about physical sight, but it applies to the spiritual obstacles that prevent us from seeing God’s grace at work in our hearts.
Sometimes the daily Mass readings are nuggets of wisdom that can guide us in direct and practical ways. The reading from Colossians and the Gospel of Luke are perfect examples today. Enjoy and savor them!