Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The Gift of God

A few years ago, I received a Christmas gift which we’ll say wasn’t exactly my style. Since I’ve been known to wear my heart on my sleeve and my emotions on my face, this seemingly subconscious thought must have bubbled up to my facial expression as it provoked a question from the giver: “not exactly your favorite?” In a non-filtered moment, I blurted out “Well, you tried.” Needless to say I wouldn’t rank this as one of my finer moments. Thankfully, we were all able to laugh at my mistake.

As I tried to think of any other story for this week’s meditation, I recognized the need to share this foible.  This morning I was reflecting on the Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at the well. He responds to her by saying: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink’ you would have asked him and he would have given you life giving water” (John 4:10).  If you knew the gift of God jumped off the page.

“I am over Lent and am ready for Easter.” I’ve been guilty of saying this for quite some time now. If you are in a similar boat, ready to spring forth to Sunday, I want to encourage you as we enter the Triduum to heed some age-old advice from Full House and “cut-it-out.”

“If you knew the gift of God,” we’d enter seeing the exponential gifts of this week. As we are called to participate in His resurrection, we are offered an invitation to walk beside Him and Our Blessed Mother this weekend. We are invited to see and participate in the gift of His love. Whether we feel it or not, Holy week is Christ’s encounter with death so that you – not just the person next to you – might have eternal life. It is His enduring love, His Passion, by which He longs to say “you are the gift of God, see how I love you? Won’t you let me be Lord of your life in every aspect, even the areas you are holding back? Won’t you let me love you? For the gifts I have for you are treasures in Heaven. For the blood I shed for you, I’d do it all again. For the mercy of my Providence, always knocks to invite you to come home and to become who I made you to be – happy and free, total and pure.”

He longs to give us life – life in abundance. He longs to whisper Truth and sweep us across the dance floor. He invites us to participate in His life giving love so that we who die with Christ might rise with Christ. He calls us to accept His gift even though it might not look how we want or thought it should. If you knew the gift of God, you’d know there is no better place to be. He is Joy for the Journey.  May we hear and taste His love every step along the way. May we know the gift of God.

Peace as you journey verso l’alto.
Kathryn

Let us fall in Love this week

No place I’d rather be than here in your love

Don’t let Him be lonely this weekend. Let us accompany Christ this Holy Week

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