The Joy of God

“People who have come to know the joy of God do not deny the darkness, but they choose not to live in it. They claim that the light that shines in the darkness can be trusted more than the darkness itself and that a little bit of light can dispel a lot of darkness. They point each other to flashes of light here and there, and remind each other that they reveal the hidden but real presence of God. They discover that there are people who heal each other’s wounds, forgive each other’s offenses, share their possessions, foster the spirit of community, celebrate the gifts they have received, and live in constant anticipation of the full manifestation of God’s glory.

Every moment of each day I have the chance to choose between cynicism and joy. Every thought I have can be cynical or joyful. Every word I speak can be cynical or joyful. Every action can be cynical or joyful.

Joy never denies the sadness, but transforms it to a fertile soil for more joy.”

- Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son

Pope Benedict XVI on the Resurrection

"The Resurrection is not a thing of the past, the Resurrection has reached us and seized us. We grasp hold of it, we grasp hold of the risen Lord, and we know that he holds us firmly even when our hands grow weak. We grasp hold of his hand, and thus we also hold on to one another's hands, and we become one single subject, not just one thing. I, but no longer I: This is the formula of Christian life rooted in baptism, the formula of the Resurrection within time. I, but no longer I: If we live in this way, we transform the world. It is a formula contrary to all ideologies of violence, it is a program opposed to corruption and to the desire for power and possession."

- From a homily delivered by Pope Benedict XVI at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in 2006.

He Is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!

Good Friday

Cross of Jesus

(by John Stainer)

Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow, where the blood of Christ was shed.

Perfect man on thee was tortured, perfect man on thee was bled.

From the "Holy, Holy, Holy, we adore thee, O most high."

Down to earth's blaspeming voices and the shout of "Crucify."

Hilarious

A friend sent me this and it was too funny not too post. Enjoy!!