Christian Reflection and Prayer

Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53: 12;
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9;
John 18:1-19, 42

Scripture:

"Yet it was our infirmities that he bore,
our sufferings that he endured."
(Isaiah 53:4)

Reflection:

Jesus stretches out His Hands between
heaven and earth. The curtain in the Temple
that separated the people from God is ripped
in two. A new bridge has been established
between God and us. The bridge is Jesus
Who, now crucified, will never die again.
He lives forever as our passageway to the
living God! From His cross we discover
that the nature of the Church is to be a
spiritual family.  And in that spiritual
family of the Church are the values of
humility, joy, interior peace, and simple piety.

The readings present us with the end of a
stage of history. No longer must humanity
be dragged by its fears, sit in unforgiven sins,
and live at the mercy of the evil spirit. Now
begins the era of the New Covenant of God
with humanity marked by the Spirit of God.
When Jesus gives up His Spirit, the Spirit
doesn't die but instead fills the Church. As
Isaiah prophesies: "See, my servant shall
prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly
exalted." (Isaiah 52:13)

In this year of the new creation make
forgiveness and peace hallmarks of your life.

Prayer:

Christ Jesus you hung upon a cross and died for us
So that we might live for you
Your body was broken and your blood shed
So that we might be healed and made whole
You were faithful unto death
So that we might be faithful unto life
Your last command was that we might love one another
One family together from every tribe and nation
A new creation united through your sacrifice
Redeemed by your blood
Healed by your love
United by your covenant of peace
In your death may we find life

Amen