His Gaze

I once heard the Holy Spirit described as "His Gaze." I think this fits well for when I am in adoration gazing on the Lord. Sometimes I feel as though he is giving me his life by gazing back at me.

Easter Thoughts

Have you ever considered looking at Holy Week through the eyes of St. Peter? At the Easter Vigil this year I was struck by the Gospel reading from St. Luke: Peter was the only Apostle to run to the tomb after the women said that Jesus had risen. St. Luke says he left "amazed" and that he went home. Then after the two disciples return from Emmaus they are informed that Peter had seen the Lord. I pondered what that encounter must have been like for Peter. His repentant tears, his joy at seeing Jesus, his questioning amazement. And Jesus? His gift of peace and forgiveness. He had a reason for appearing to Peter alone—the Rock upon whom the Church is built. Now he in turn must strengthen the faith of the disciples.
Such is our Holy Father in this time of persecution. What some may say doesn't matter, his job is to strengthen our faith and he is doing so by his example.

He is Risen!

Christ is risen from the dead!
Dying, he conquered death;
To the dead, he has given life.
(Byzantine Liturgy)

He is risen, risen indeed! By his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection he opens for us the way to new life. The empty tomb and the linen cloths lying there signify in themselves that by God's power, Christ's body had escaped the binds of death. And where Christ has gone, we one day will follow. If that's not good news, I don't know what is! "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"