Death with life contended: Combat strangely ended!

Death with life contended:
combat strangely ended!
Life’s own Champion, slain,
yet lives to reign.

Easter Sequence

Alleluia! Christ is risen. He has risen indeed! The Easter Sequence from Easter Sunday Mass rings with wonder and joy. The unexpected triumph has happened. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?

I step into today as a member of a victorious army. The battle has been won. We now carry out the mop up operations and claim the victory.

Jesus you call me into life and joy. I am an Easter resurrection person. Alleluia!
Saint Philip Neri, rejoice with us!

Irrepressible Good News

The other women with them also told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them. Peter, however, went running to the tomb. He bent down and saw the binding cloths but nothing else; he then went back home, amazed at what had happened.
Lk.24:11,12

The women have just found Jesus' tomb empty and two angels have told them not to look among the dead for someone who is alive. Their story is unbelievable, yet Peter had to run and see for himself. The incredible fact of Jesus' resurrection starts to dawn on him.

The unbelievable fact led all of the apostles, except John, to martyrs deaths. Once they realised the truth they could never let it go. Good news is like that. At first it sounds too good to be true. Then, once it is accepted as true, its power is released and changes everything.

I step into this Holy Saturday with mounting joy. The Good news of Easter is about to be released. It changes everything.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus come.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

His Way

Yet he was pierced through for our faults,
crushed for our sins.
On him lies a punishment that brings us peace,
and through his wounds we are healed.

We had all gone astray like sheep,
each taking his own way,
and the Lord burdened him
with the sins of all of us.
Is.53:5,6

Isaiah prophesies the death of Jesus and its purpose; to pay the price and bring us peace.

The song to hell is Franks Sinatra's "My Way". Isaiah nails it in describing the root cause of my sinfulness. Taking my own way, choosing my own path. The irony is I think I am being brave and innovative when really it is a wide easy path that many follow. The narrow path is the difficult one that few walk but, according to Jesus, it is the path to life. 

Today, I receive the peace and healing that Jesus has won for me. I recommit to his narrow way to life.

Thank you Jesus for dying for me, for paying the price of my wrongs, for bringing me healing and fullness of life. I place my trust in you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.

Wash Their Feet

‘Do you understand’ he said ‘what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.’
Jn.13:12-15

Jesus has washed the disciples feet at the Last Supper. He explains what he has done is an example for them to follow, an example of humble servanthood.

I love having my feet massaged. I'm not so keen on doing it for others. Why? Because it's an effort from which I get no benefit. Yet here is Jesus doing just that and saying I am to copy him, not so much the washing of feet but the attitude of humble servanthood. It's a struggle. I prefer being served than serving.

I think this is one of those areas where I just have to start by pretending. I can pretend I like serving and then serve. I think what happens is the more I do this the easier it will become until, one day, I will serve without pretending. It's the long pathway to perfection that Jesus calls me to, starting from today.

Thank you Jesus for your example of humble servanthood. Help me follow your example. I want to be more like you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Not I Surely?

Judas, who was to betray him; asked in his turn, ‘Not I, Rabbi, surely?’ ‘They are your own words’ answered Jesus.
Mt.26:25

At the Last Supper Jesus declares that someone is about to betray him. Each of the disciples declares innocence of the accusation, including the eventual betrayer Judas.

Each disciple, excepting John, was to abandon Jesus. Peter was to deny him three times. Judas betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver. The difference is that the disciples allowed themselves to be eventually forgiven and restored. Judas didn't and hanged himself. 

I've betrayed Jesus each time I've sinned. I've declared "Not I, surely?" then handed over the nails for him to be crucified. Do I stay in condemnation or accept the forgiveness of Jesus and be restored? 

Jesus, I'm sorry for the times I have betrayed you. Forgive me Lord and restore me back into right relationship with you.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.

Forgiven Restored and Raised

Peter said to him, ‘Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ ‘Lay down your life for me?’ answered Jesus. ‘I tell you most solemnly, before the cock crows you will have disowned me three times.’
Jn.13:37,38

At the Last Supper Peter declares his loyalty to Jesus but Jesus refutes this, foretelling Peter's approaching denial and apostasy.

Peter is oh so human. His spirit is willing but his flesh is weak. This makes him relatable. I see myself in him. His denial of Jesus three times is Peter's low point. Yet, he ends up being forgiven, restored and raised to the role of leader of the early Church.

There is still hope for me yet. When I deny Christ and sin Satan wants to keep me there, condemned and hopeless.  Jesus says no, I am forgiven, restored and raised to my true position as a Son of God and co-heir. This is my true identity today.

I'm the one who held the nail
It was cold between my fingertips
I've hidden in the garden
I've denied You with my very lips

God, I fall down to my knees
With a hammer in my hand
You look at me, arms open

Forgiven! Forgiven!
Child there is freedom from all of it
Say goodbye to every sin
You are forgiven!

Crowder - Forgiven

He is Mine. I am His.

My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, they shall be my people.
Ez.27:37

Ezekiel prophesies a time when all God's people will be unified and God will live with them in a permanent relationship of love. 

Twice in today's first reading we hear of the wonderful relationship between God and us. He is ours, we are his. This possessiveness on both sides expresses the deep, permanent bond between God and us. And it's personal. I am his. He is mine. This is the rock solid relationship I have with my God. 

Jesus, I am yours, you are mine. Walk beside me today as my strength, my guide, my joy.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.