This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week leading up to Easter. This week, we read the account of the Passion of our Lord in the Gospels. During the Homily, the priest stressed how the Passion is not just a story. It is real.
I tried envisioning something to grasp the pain Mary felt or those around Jesus felt while he was being crucified on the cross. They weren't pretty, happy thoughts, but it definitely helped me better understand Jesus's death. I envisioned my best friend being condemned to death. I envisioned my father being scourged. I pictured my brother, hanging on the cross, covered in blood. I pictured them dying for me, for my sins. I pictured them suffering so I could live eternally. The truth is Jesus lives in each of those people. Jesus is the stranger we meet. He is my best friend, my father, my brother. We died on the cross with Jesus, and we will rise with him.
Then I immediately thought back to our childhood. If Jesus lives in my brother, have I been a good role model for him? Have I ever done anything that led my brother into sin? Have I respected my father like Jesus was living inside him? Did I support my friend in living for Jesus? Are we treating the people around us with the idea that Jesus lives in them?
God spoke to me during mass, and I wanted to share. If we listen, He speaks.
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