ARCHIVE
2003/04/12
"Raise Christ's Cross aloft for all to see"
Let us not forget that in all human activities there must be men and women who, in their lives and work, raise Christ's Cross aloft for all to see, as an act of reparation. It is a symbol of peace and of joy, a symbol of the Redemption and of the unity of the human race. It is a symbol of the love that the Most Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit had, and continues to have, for mankind. (Furrow, 985). 2001/12/19
Holy week
"Put up with your share of difficulties, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ," St Paul tells us. A Christian's life is a fight, a war, a beautiful war of peace and completely different from human warfare which results from division and often hatred. The war of the sons of God is a war against their own selfishness. It is based on unity and love. ... (Christ Is Passing By, 76). 1999/04/03
Holy Saturday: “The corpse of Christ”
Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who are hidden disciples of Christ, intercede for Him making use of the high positions they hold. In the hour of loneliness, of total abandonment and of scorn..., it is then that they stand up for him audacter, boldly (Mark 15:43)...: heroic courage! With them I too will go up to the foot of the Cross; I will press my arms tightly round the cold Body, the corpse of Christ, with the fire of my love...; I will unnail it, with my reparation and mortifications..., I will wrap it in the new winding-sheet of my clean life, and I will bury it in the living rock of my breast, where no one can tear it away from me, and there, Lord, take your rest! Were the whole world to abandon you and to scorn you... serviam!, I will serve you, Lord. (The Way of the Cross, Fourteenth Station, 1). 1999/04/02
Good Friday: “It is accomplished”
Marvel at Mary's courage: at the foot of the Cross, with the greatest of human sorrows--there is no sorrow like her sorrow--filled with fortitude. And ask her for that same strength, so that you too can remain beside the Cross. (The Way, 508). 1999/04/01
“The mystery of Holy Thursday”
We should dwell on those words of Jesus, and make them our own: Desiderio desideravi hoc Pascha manducare vobiscum: I have longed and longed to eat this Passover with you. There is no better way to show how great is our concern and love for the Holy Sacrifice than by taking great care with the least detail of the ceremonies the wisdom of the Church has laid down. This is for Love: but we should also feel the “need” to become like Christ, not only inside ourselves but also in what is external. We should act, on the wide spaciousness of the Christian altar, with the rhythm and harmony which holy obedience provides, the holy obedience that unites us to the will of the Spouse of Christ, to the Will of Christ himself. (The Forge, 833). 1999/03/31
Holy Wednesday: “Love is with love repaid”
Do you to know how to thank Our Lord for all he has done for us?... With love! There is no other way. Love is with love repaid. But the real proof of affection is given by sacrifice. So, take courage!: deny yourself and take up his Cross. Then you will be sure you are returning him love for Love. (The Way of the Cross, Fifth Station, 1). 1999/03/30
Holy Tuesday: “The Cross on your shoulders, with a smile on your lips”
The more you belong to Christ, the more grace you will obtain to be effective in this world and to be happy in eternity. But you must make up your mind to follow the way of self surrender: the Cross on your shoulders, with a smile on your lips, and a light in your soul. (The Way of the Cross, Second Station, 3). 1999/03/29
Holy Monday: “During holy week we are given a chance to reflect on and re-live the last hours of Jesus’ life”
Our sins were the cause of the Passion: of that torture which disfigured the most lovable countenance of Jesus, perfectus Deus, perfectus homo. And again it is our wretchedness that impedes us now from contemplating Our Lord, and makes his figure appear dark and distorted. When our sight is blurred, when our eyes are clouded, we need to go to the light. And Christ has said: Ego sum lux mundi! (John 8:12), I am the light of the world. And he adds: He that follows me walks not in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (The Way of the Cross, Sixth Station, 1). 1999/03/28
Palm Sunday: "Blessed be the King"
With our acts of service we can prepare an even greater triumph for the Lord than that of his entry into Jerusalem. For there will be no repetition of the Judas episode, or that of the Garden of Gethsemane, or of that dark night. We will succeed in setting the world alight with the flames of that fire which he came to cast upon the earth. And the light of Truth - which is our Jesus - will enlighten men's minds with a brightness that never fades. (The Forge, 947). 
SAINT JOSEMARÍA
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