"I and the Father are one." With these words from today's Gospel reading, Jesus makes one of His most direct claims to divinity—a claim so shocking that the Pharisees immediately reach for stones to execute Him for blasphemy.
This powerful Wednesday in Passion Week meditation explores how this ancient confrontation reveals a fundamental truth: our world is permanently divided into two camps—those who follow Christ and those who oppose Him. There is no comfortable middle ground. As French Catholic writer Ernest Hello powerfully states, "Placed between the fire of those who love and the fire of those who hate, you will have to throw yourself into the battle, on one side or the other." This challenges our modern tendency toward moral relativism and cultural indifference.
We wrestle with the uncomfortable reality that what many consider neutrality actually serves the enemy's purposes. The large mass of people who remain indifferent to matters of faith—the cultural Catholics, the religiously unaffiliated—aren't truly neutral but unwittingly align themselves against God. This strikes at the heart of American Catholicism, which has historically tried to compartmentalize faith, keeping it private while conforming to secular standards publicly.
The meditation offers three practical resolutions: following Jesus whatever the cost in our personal, family, and social lives; witnessing boldly for Christ while patiently enduring contradiction; and praying for missionaries working in difficult conditions. These acknowledge that authentic discipleship demands "enormous efforts and enormous sacrifices," including potential loss of relationships with those who reject the faith.
Where do you stand in this unavoidable spiritual battle? As we approach Easter, consider whether you're fully committed to Christ and His Church or settled for a comfortable compromise that ultimately places you in opposition to God's purposes. The choice of camp is yours, but neutrality is an illusion.
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Christ is risen! The glorious transformation we've been preparing for through forty days of Lenten sacrifice has arrived, but what happens to our spiritual journey now?
This meditation explores the profound significance of Eastertide—not merely as the end of Lenten disciplines but as the beginning of a new way of living. From the triumphant moment when "light has triumphed over darkness," we are called to understand that Easter isn't about abandoning our spiritual progress, but redirecting it toward a fuller expression of our life in Christ.
As St. Paul reminds us, being "risen with Christ" means elevating our desires toward heaven while detaching from mere earthly satisfactions. For newly baptized Catholics, this season marks their first days in the faith, while for all believers, it offers a time to balance joyful celebration with continued spiritual growth. The Easter octave specifically highlights this transition as we learn to live out the new life received in baptism.
The meditation offers ...
The sacred stillness of Holy Saturday holds a unique place in our spiritual journey - that profound pause between the Crucifixion and Resurrection, where we are invited to contemplate the mystery of Christ's rest in the tomb. Through ancient liturgical texts and thoughtful meditation, we explore this day not as empty waiting, but as fertile ground where the seed of Resurrection quietly germinates.
"Today I am plunged in anguish, but tomorrow I will break my bonds." This powerful antiphon sets the tone for our reflection on what appears as defeat but secretly harbors victory. We join Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus at the hasty burial of Jesus before walking through the profound symbolism of the Easter Vigil ceremonies—the blessing of new fire, the lighting of the Paschal candle representing Christ risen, and the gradual illumination of darkness as this light spreads throughout the congregation.
The beautiful paradox of Holy Saturday emerges as we contemplate both loss and anticipation. "The ...
https://angeluspress.org/products/toward-easter
Sponsored by Recusant Cellars, an unapologetically Catholic and pro-life winery from Washington state. Use code BASED25 at checkout for 10% off! https://recusantcellars.com/
Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1
https://www.avoidingbabylon.com
Locals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.com
RSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss
