Reflections of a beloved son

"Cercate il Suo Volto" is Italian for "Seek His Face" (see Ps. 27:8). I first heard of the Italian phrase from the "Abba Pater" album by Pope John Paul II.  It was the first track of the album.  My high school Junior Theology teacher had introduced me to it and gave me a copy of it.  I am very grateful to him because it opened up for me a more in-depth interest, studying of, and reading of the Scriptures.  And, of course listening to the Pope recite it with inspiring and motivational music in the background made it all the better (not that the Word itself isn't good enough, but you know what I mean!).  Anyways, so why am I bringing this verse from Psalm 27 up?  "Seek His Face." On Holy Thursday we read in the Gospel that Jesus gave the Apostles an example of humble service and true leadership.  To serve is to lead, with love at its core.  On Good Friday we read the Passion Narrative where we hear Our Lord cry in fulfillment of the prophec...

After being scourged, crowned with thorns, spat upon, pushed and shoved to the ground, stripped of His clothes and human dignity, and nailed to the wood of the Cross, Jesus was left to die on the Cross from blood loss, exhaustion, dehydration, and I imagine fluid buildup in the chest cavity.  Yet, on the Cross Our Lord was concerned only with the Father's will.  When the time had come, Jesus said to those keeping watch - " I thirst ." Not really for water, but Jesus was saying "I thirst for love of you."   The Cross was and remains the loudest and greatest expression of the Father's love for His children, us.  By dying Jesus destroyed death, and by rising He restored life.  Jesus destroyed death in that those who are baptized never really die despite bodily death, and He restored life by bringing about eternal life when he descended into Hell and broke through those gates.  From the pierced side of Jesus flowed the living waters that wash away our sins an...