Happy Easter! As we are still in the octave of Easter, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share with you an experience at Jesus' tomb. I was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2017. It was the last day of our trip and we were going to the Holy Sepulcher--the church that covers where Jesus both died and was buried. Now, there is one part of the church that is upstairs. It's Calvary, the place where Jesus died. Downstairs, just a little away from where Jesus died, is a very highly decorated structure that covers the tomb. Let's just say, it does not look the way it looked 2000 years ago. But, that didn't really bother me, because it was still the holy place where my Beloved died for me and rose for me. We had to wait in line to get inside the small tomb. It took an hour and a half of waiting and I think our little group prayed like three rosaries in a row, which is a valuable way to spend time waiting! Finally, we got to go inside the tomb, but we had to really quick. They were actually just about to close it up! Well, I bent inside, knelt before the stone slab where Jesus once lay. I kissed it quickly and when I raised my head, I was shot with an indescribable joy! What was this joy for? "He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay" (Matthew 28:6). So, I had that verse repeating in my mind as well Matt Maher singing "Christ is Risen." I just laughed out loud because Jesus really was not there! I felt like one of the women in the Bible, who went to the tomb, looking for Jesus, and didn't find Him there! Of course, He was not there! He is alive! Maybe it doesn't sound so amazing and hilarious to you, but that really struck me. It was just pure joy over the resurrection. I remember that moment fondly as I pray and praise and talk to Jesus during this Easter week. What a gift, huh? Praised be Jesus Christ! He is risen from the dead! "Oh death, where is your sting? Oh hell, where is your victory? Oh Church, come stand in the light. Our God is not dead. He's alive! He's alive!"
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Well, it is Good Friday, 2020. As usual on days of fasting, I feel exhausted and hungry and its only the morning!
I usually think that I have to do, do, do, and do on Good Friday. Like pray every prayer and do every possible penance. I usually dread it, to be totally honest. But this morning, the Lord put on my heart that today is a day to receive. See, all of Lent, and especially toady, we Christians give up all sorts of stuff. For me, I feel depleted and empty. But in my hunger and weakness, God has revealed that He gets to fill me up on this day. Jesus died on the cross, not so that I would suffer, but so that I would be filled up with His Body and Blood. Of course, it is all spiritual over literal this year due to the virus, but I believe today in my prayer and fasting, I don't have to try so hard. Instead I get to receive the goodness of God. This day of prayer and fasting puts me in the perfect disposition to be filled up with grace and spiritual food. I get to let go and let God, who lays down His life for me. |
AuthorJacqueline St. Clare: I spent six months in a cloistered convent, and now I'm a college student! Archives
April 2021
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