Thoughts about the resurrection…
As I remembered, the sad, violent end of Jesus in the crucifixion is being reversed in the grand, life-giving, new beginning that is the resurrection. Yes, the essence of Easter – out of enduring love Jesus suffered and died for our redemption, and now he has overcome death out of love for us.
I kept asking myself, how is the homily relating to modern times? Simply stated, the message of Jesus’ resurrection changes our attitude toward suffering, loss, grief and purpose for our life. The resurrection changes our approach to death. The “lively hope” we are given by the resurrection is our conviction that death is not the conclusion of our identity but merely a necessary step in the destined transition from mortality to immortality. This hope changes the whole perspective of mortal life. The assurance of resurrection and immortality affects how we look on the physical challenges of mortality, how we live our mortal lives, and how we relate to those around us.
The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we bring with us at birth or acquire during mortal life. Because of the resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary!
What is the moral of the story?
The assurance of resurrection gives us a powerful incentive to keep the commandments of God during our mortal lives. The assurance that the resurrection will include an opportunity to be with our family members–husband, wife, parents, brothers and sisters, children, and grandchildren–is a powerful encouragement for us to fulfill our family responsibilities in mortality. It helps us live together in love in this life in anticipation of joyful reunions and associations in the next.
Our sure knowledge of a resurrection to immortality also gives us the courage to face our own death–even a death that we might call premature.
In light of the homily, we think of those that hurt us or the people we hurt. What goes with hurt is the thought about forgiveness.
The first step to forgiveness
“To get to forgiveness, we first have to work through the painful experiences that require it.” ~ Christiane Northrup ~
To forgive, we do not have to say that whatever happened was okay. In fact, before we can forgive, we need to allow ourselves to really feel the pain of the experience. If we don’t fully acknowledge our hurts, we will continue to carry them subconsciously and they will drain our energy.
To forgive, we need to decide that we won’t allow the memories of the event to poison us any longer. We’re ready to heal this wound from the past and open to a fresh new beginning.
The blessing is that when we’re really ready to experience our pain and we open to it, it usually fades away. By honoring our pain, we release it.
“We must let ourselves feel all the painful destruction we want to forgive rather than swallow it in denial. If we do not face it, we cannot choose to forgive it.” — Kenneth McNoll
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” ~Lewis B. Smedes,
“Without deep humility, true forgiveness is impossible . . . and will never happen.” Martha Kilpatrick
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” Catherine Ponder
How do you conduct yourself? Have you ever realized that the words you speak and think hold great sway over the kind of life you create for yourself? Below is the highlight of an essay to explore the subject of affirmation.
“The words we speak and think hold great sway over the kind of life that we create for ourselves. Many people live their lives plagued by negative thoughts and never even realize this. They tell themselves and others that they are doomed to fail, not good enough, or not worthy of love, yet they are amazed when their reality starts reflecting these words. Just as the subconscious mind accepts as truth the critical statements we tell ourselves, however, it is also equipped to instantly accept the veracity of our affirmations.
Affirmations are statements chosen and spoken consciously. Once they enter our realm of consciousness, they also enter our subconscious mind where they have the power to change our lives. The affirmations you create should be specific, not too long, worded positively, formed in complete sentences, and spoken in the present tense as if what you are affirming is already true. It is a good idea to repeat your affirmations daily. You may want to tell yourself that you deserve to be happy or that you are in control of your destiny. Or, you may want to focus on a particular goal, such as attracting new friends. Rather than telling yourself you want to be well-liked, say, “I am well-liked.” Your subconscious mind will pick up on these positive messages, and you will begin to live your life as if what you are affirming already has happened. Soon, your reality will begin to reflect your affirmations. If you find that you are thwarting yourself with negative thinking, try repeating your affirmations several times a day. Write your affirmations down and say them aloud or in your mind. Allow your conviction to grow stronger each time you say your affirmations, and your negativity will be overridden by your motivation and positive thoughts.
Affirmations are a powerful tool for creating our desired reality. We consciously and subconsciously invite opportunity into our lives when we say affirmations. Trust in the power of your affirmations, and you will very quickly create what you have already stated to be true.
“There is a new world coming to light each morning. There is a new life being born in each moment. With the dawning of every day, disappointments are transformed into positive determination, and then eventually into new beauty. What were once mistakes take on new life as valuable experiences.
Life is a process of continuing renewal. As you move forward through time, you encounter new possibilities for more fully expressing the unique beauty that lives in your heart. What has come before may have been very good, or not so good. What comes now can always be much better and even more meaningful.
Lovingly embrace the fresh new possibilities that are now coming to life. Treasure the best of what has been, and carry that treasure forward as you create new richness. Open yourself to the new opportunity that comes with each breath you take. And be more fully alive than ever before.”
Let’s all be inspired with these quotes below:
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
“It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.” Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Enjoy Weekend Guide 