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Click here for information on the Knights of Columbus Charity Golf Tournament held on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
It was just 5 days ago we talked about how it was necessary as Christians to get from Christmas to Calvary, from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, from the crib to the cross. Well, now we are here. We just heard the Passion of Christ, what can possibly be added to that? What can we learn from this death? So often we look at the Passion and Death of Jesus with an almost tunnel vision - what it means for ME. The point we miss sometimes is simply this: Christ died to save everyone, absolutely everyone.
He died for Peter, but also for Judas. He died for the good thief but also the other thief. He died for Mary and the apostles but also for Pilate and the centurions. He died for all those that attended the Stations of the Cross this afternoon and also for everyone that will come on Easter Sunday for the first time in a year. He died for everyone that comes to daily Mass and also for those that have not been in a church in 30 years. He died for everyone.
How do I know this? Because of how he lived his life. He lived his life for everyone. He loved the apostles who gave up everything to follow him. But he ate with Pharisees who hated him. He invited tax collectors to join him, befriended and defended prostitutes. He healed a centurion’s servant and forgave the centurions that nailed him to the cross. That is why his death meant something; because his life meant something. In the pain, suffering and humiliation of his death he had a choice: to die in bitterness or in love. He chose to die the way he lived - in love and forgiveness.
That is our choice also. Do we live lives of bitterness or love, resentment or forgiveness, hardness of heart or softness of soul? Every time we find ourselves shamed, ignored, taken for granted, belittled, unjustly attacked, or slandered we stand between resentment and forgiveness, bitterness and love. Which of these we chose will determine the path of our life - and our death.
One choice will leave us angry, miserable, and alone. Both now and for eternity. The other choice will make us happy both now and for eternity.
He died for Peter, but also for Judas. He died for the good thief but also the other thief. He died for Mary and the apostles but also for Pilate and the centurions. He died for all those that attended the Stations of the Cross this afternoon and also for everyone that will come on Easter Sunday for the first time in a year. He died for everyone that comes to daily Mass and also for those that have not been in a church in 30 years. He died for everyone.
How do I know this? Because of how he lived his life. He lived his life for everyone. He loved the apostles who gave up everything to follow him. But he ate with Pharisees who hated him. He invited tax collectors to join him, befriended and defended prostitutes. He healed a centurion’s servant and forgave the centurions that nailed him to the cross. That is why his death meant something; because his life meant something. In the pain, suffering and humiliation of his death he had a choice: to die in bitterness or in love. He chose to die the way he lived - in love and forgiveness.
That is our choice also. Do we live lives of bitterness or love, resentment or forgiveness, hardness of heart or softness of soul? Every time we find ourselves shamed, ignored, taken for granted, belittled, unjustly attacked, or slandered we stand between resentment and forgiveness, bitterness and love. Which of these we chose will determine the path of our life - and our death.
One choice will leave us angry, miserable, and alone. Both now and for eternity. The other choice will make us happy both now and for eternity.