“I thirst for souls that love God.”-Jesus

 

The darkest of nights can give birth to the most glorious of mornings.

 

We were made for so much more.

 

Fellow Christians, I come to you on Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus dying on the cross for us.  I wonder what He felt all those years ago?  Probably lonely, broken, and thirsting for souls to come to Him.

 

It’s amazing that He died for us, that He endured much suffering so that we could spend eternity with Him in heaven. Jesus was so Holy.

 

I imagine what it would have been like in Jesus’ day. The darkest of afternoons where our Lord hung breathing his last breaths, with the weight of so much sin on his shoulders.

 

Yet he endured it, looking forward to the reward of heaven.

 

His apostles all thought it was the end. They hadn’t realized that the end was the start of a beginning. I imagine what they felt when Jesus died.  “Teacher, now what?  What do we do now that you have died?”  I am sure they were afraid for their own lives and disappointed that Jesus, the Son of God had died!

 

But this was necessary.  Because of original sin, we live in a fallen world where sin had separated us from God.

 

Jesus came to restore our relationship with Himself.

 

We are made right with God through this sacrifice and look forward to eternal life with Jesus in heaven if we live upright, pure lives.

 

Many people are so weary, so torn down by life. They are going through dark nights, losing hope. Yet Jesus showed us that these dark nights are not the end of the story.

 

A new day is coming. A resurrection is promised.

 

And Jesus rose from the dead all of those years ago to tell us that Love has the final word.

 

God is so merciful that He gave us a way out of eternal death, a life without God. He gave us a way that we could forever enjoy Him in heaven.  But first we have to endure trials here on this earth. It is so encouraging to realize that these trials are not forever!

 

The Blessed Mother was with Jesus at the cross. Know that Our Lady, Jesus’ mother is always there to help you too.

 

So when it feels like a dark night, be encouraged-the moring is coming.  Hold onto hope! I am praying for you to live your dreams and to grow closer to Christ.

 

Let us pray:

Lord now that we are entering the 3 days of the Passion of Christ, let us always remember that amidst the sufferings there is joy waiting for us. Help us to endure our trials patiently and not lose hope.  I pray especially for those who endure many hardships every day. Bring them closer to Your heart.  Jesus we love you and through the Blessed Mother’s intercession we ask for peace. Heal us and help us to stay close to You. Amen.