What does true fortitude look like? As we stand at the threshold of the Sacred Triduum, this meditation on Spy Wednesday explores the profound strength demonstrated by Christ during His Passion—not through resistance or escape, but through patient endurance.
Drawing from Isaiah's prophecy and St. Luke's Passion account, we contemplate how Jesus maintained remarkable self-mastery amid excruciating suffering. "There is no movement of revolt in Jesus. He does not try to escape. We find in Him no word of hatred toward his persecutors." This challenges our modern understanding of strength, especially for those of us conditioned to equate fortitude with fighting back.
The reflection wrestles with a crucial spiritual question: When should we patiently bear our crosses like Christ, and when should we actively resist injustice? This tension becomes particularly relevant within the Church, where obedience to spiritual authorities must sometimes be balanced against other responsibilities. As St. Teresa of Avila reminds us, "If one would attain to liberty of spirit and not be always in trouble, let him begin by not being afraid of the cross and he will see how our Lord will help him to carry it."
Through examining Christ's perfect example—facing the most unjust punishment in history without revolt—we're invited to reconsider what spiritual strength truly means. Perhaps real fortitude lies not just in knowing when to fight, but in having the wisdom to discern when patient endurance transforms suffering into redemption. Join us as we prepare our hearts for the sacred days ahead, learning to pray with sincerity: "Help me not to recoil when faced with the cross, and teach me to carry it with generosity."
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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
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