"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (Jn 20:1-2)
Have you ever had something very precious to you stolen? How did you feel? Disappointed? Angry? Lost? Confused? Those who loved Jesus were grief stricken. Even though he had foretold them his death, they did not fully understand. Their loved one was gone. They felt lost without him. Now to add insult to injury, the tomb was empty. Some one or some thing had stolen the body of their beloved friend. They were filled with emotion. So much so, they had forgotten his promise of resurrection.
Sometimes our lives feel like that tomb. Empty! Jesus isn't there. We feel lost, incomplete, confused, angry, disappointed? Who took him away from us? Consider which of our own attitudes leave us feeling empty. What about envy, negative thoughts, unforgiveness, pride, greed, stubborness, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, drunkenness, sexual imputities and the like? When we focus on these things, we leave little room for Christ in our lives.
He promised more to his disciples when he had to leave them to be with his father, God. He promised to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. When we invite him into our lives we receive the gifts of the Spirit which include: love, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. When we are filled with the Spirit, we are never empty. Our lives are filled to overflowing and we can follow his command to love one another with great generosity.
"Lord, while we wait for your return, keep your Holy Spirit in our hearts so we can follow your example of loving generously and abide by your commands. Help us to be humble servants and worthy of your sacrifice on the cross."
Have you ever had something very precious to you stolen? How did you feel? Disappointed? Angry? Lost? Confused? Those who loved Jesus were grief stricken. Even though he had foretold them his death, they did not fully understand. Their loved one was gone. They felt lost without him. Now to add insult to injury, the tomb was empty. Some one or some thing had stolen the body of their beloved friend. They were filled with emotion. So much so, they had forgotten his promise of resurrection.
Sometimes our lives feel like that tomb. Empty! Jesus isn't there. We feel lost, incomplete, confused, angry, disappointed? Who took him away from us? Consider which of our own attitudes leave us feeling empty. What about envy, negative thoughts, unforgiveness, pride, greed, stubborness, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, drunkenness, sexual imputities and the like? When we focus on these things, we leave little room for Christ in our lives.
He promised more to his disciples when he had to leave them to be with his father, God. He promised to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. When we invite him into our lives we receive the gifts of the Spirit which include: love, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. When we are filled with the Spirit, we are never empty. Our lives are filled to overflowing and we can follow his command to love one another with great generosity.
"Lord, while we wait for your return, keep your Holy Spirit in our hearts so we can follow your example of loving generously and abide by your commands. Help us to be humble servants and worthy of your sacrifice on the cross."
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