New Life
Posted on: April 17, 2014
- In: Everyday Life | Faith | Holy Days | Seasons of the Church Year
- Comments Off on New Life
When I was expecting my son, the morning sickness (or all-day sickness) and fatigue at the beginning were…less than fun, but less challenging than the last few weeks, which saw me dressed for comfort in my husband’s t-shirts, with my sneakers laced as loosely as possible, and my wedding ring on a chain around my neck.
But the physical discomfort was worth it when I had my son. And saw a new life begin.
Sometimes we have to go through discomfort and even pain to find the joy and new life on the other side. And that was never more true than at the first Easter.
Jesus was flogged, crowned with thorns, forced to carry his own cross, and crucified while others mocked him and divided up his clothing. One of his disciples had betrayed him; many of them had fled out of fear; and one, Peter, had denied three times that he knew him.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
Jesus willingly went through all this, knowing that he would rise on the third day, so that we would have forgiveness of our sins and the hope of new life in him.
The disciples feared persecution and mourned the loss of their teacher and their idea of the Messiah, only to be overjoyed when Jesus stood among them and to learn the truth about why he came to live among us:
“Thus it written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47)
As we walk in the shadow of the cross tomorrow, may we remember all that Jesus went through to save us and the joy that awaits us at Easter, when it will be proclaimed, “The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.”
(*Scripture quotes taken from the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.)
A Catholic Convert in Ottawa 