Joyful Words Blog
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.
– Psalm 119:105
– Psalm 119:105
…with age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Jeremiah 31:3
For the last several weeks the middle lovelies have been preparing to present their Shadow Stations of the Cross. Every year I am struck by the simplicity, power and passion generated by a group of twelve year olds and its ability to stir the hearts and tears of a gym full of people. It is the perfect way to begin Holy Week. After practice one day I overheard two of the kids talking and one of them said, “It’s hard to believe someone could love us enough to go through all this!” Honestly, I can’t believe it either! I watch from side stage as these kids act out the crucifixion and the tears sting! Sometimes my mind drifts to those who were witnesses to the real Passion of Christ and my heart nearly pounds out of my chest at the slightest imagining of what that must have been like. Holy Week always leaves me feeling so loved, but always with a tinge of guilt and not nearly enough gratitude. It’s easy for me to feel like I should be doing more…praying more…serving more…living better so I can show Jesus how much I love him. It’s easy to feel like I come up so short. I was feeling that way this morning at mass and Father Eric said exactly what my heart needed to hear. If you’re mid way through your Holy Week thinking you can never repay Jesus for the gift he so extravagantly gave maybe this will help you enter into the Triduum peacefully and prayerfully too. When we consider the love Jesus has for us, we have to remember that it isn’t a contest. We can never match his love and his love doesn’t change. Instead of harboring thoughts of inadequacy Father suggests this very simple prayer. “Jesus I love you too!” As we ponder the events of the Last Supper, the washing of the feet or the scourging we should just say “Thank You Jesus, I love you too!” That simple little prayer says it all. It allows us to acknowledge the depth of Jesus’ love and do the only thing we’re capable of…thank him and return the love. Instead of thinking; I haven’t earned this kind of love or I don’t deserve this huge love, I will just say thank you Jesus, I love you too! Those words just seem to settle the soul. I hope you’ll take them deep into your Holy Week too. A Seed To Plant: Read the Holy Week story from the Gospels and end each part of your reading with the words, “Thank you Jesus, I love you too.” Blessings on your day!
3 Comments
Sue
4/13/2022 08:09:56 am
Last weeks blog and this weeks are perfect; simple advice but so profound. Thank you! I look forward to your words each week and, although I don't always comment, please know that your writings have made a positive difference in my life these past few years. God bless you & yours.
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Claudia
4/14/2022 08:21:56 pm
“Thank you, Jesus, I love you too” is a wonderful prayer! I will try to make it a daily prayer. Thank you for sharing!
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Darleen
4/15/2022 10:44:56 am
Thank you and God Bless you and those close to you. Your words are so appreciated!
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Sheri's writing can also be found at Faith Catholic Publications and on CatholicMom.com
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