The Crucifixion and Forgiveness

Good Morning, dear reader. Happy Sunday! We embark on our journey into the third week of Easter. The resurrection was so glorious and miraculous that we celebrate it for 50 days, ending on Pentecost Sunday. As a matter of fact, the Easter season is more important than Christmas!! 

We have touched upon the book of Revelation in previous posts. As you will recall, Revelation is mostly symbolic in nature. It is not to be taken literally. There really isn't much explaining needed for this passage. In today's reading, you will see Jesus Christ referred to as the Lamb. We also hear this at mass when we pray "Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us." just before we receive communion. Equating Jesus with a lamb means that He is the perfect and ultimate sacrifice for sin. (There's a longer explanation, having to do with Passover and its celebration, but this is it in a nutshell.) All the creatures in heaven and on earth rejoice and honour God and His Son, Jesus.   

Now, on to John. Jesus asks Peter three times if he truly loves Him. He asks this because Peter was the one who denied Jesus three times before His crucifixion. So, now, Jesus is a little doubtful about how faithful Peter is to Him. However, Jesus is willing to forgive Peter and the role he played in His death. As we have seen throughout the Gospels, Peter becomes the most favoured and important Apostle. Probably because he did feel guilty about what he did to Jesus and now wants to make up for it. 

I think what this passage is trying to convey is that no matter how bad our actions are, Jesus is always willing to forgive and give us another chance. This doesn't mean you should keep doing something you know is bad just because you know that Jesus will forgive you. He can sense when you are insincere, and He will dole out punishment. I'm just saying, that in our everyday, imperfect lives, we mess up. We're all sinners. It's comforting to know that I can never be so awful that Jesus won't forgive me and bring me back to His care. This is our assurance of salvation through His death and resurrection. This is what Easter is all about. So, dear reader, you can rest assured that Jesus will never stop loving you or caring about you. Just try to be a nice human, though. The world will appreciate it. 😇

**I have omitted the video today because Father Bill doesn't upload any on Sunday. Also, it seemed today's readings were ones we have done previously, so I picked the second reading. You'll just have to make do with my thoughts! lol 

Forgiveness and Mercy through the Crucifixion

Good Afternoon, dear reader. Well, we certainly have our work cutout for us with so many readings. So let's get down to business.

Today is a waiting game. Everyone is trying to come to terms with what happened yesterday. How could Jesus be dead? Why did this happen? What do we do now? So many questions and no answers. Or is there?

The first two readings remind us that God created all we have. He reigns over all things living. It also reminds us that sometimes God puts us to a test to see how faithful we will remain when asked to do the impossible. This same theme is brought about in Exodus and the parting of the Red Sea. Moses was facing terrible odds. The Israelites were complaining. They were tired of travelling and not seeing any results. What was the point? They should have stayed where they were and made the best of it. But, Moses hung in there. He knew that this was something God wanted him to do. This can be viewed as Moses's test of faith. Could he still bring these people out of the mire they were in? Could he believe that God wanted this for His people? Moses remained faithful in his quest for God. God provided a way when there appeared to be none.

These readings resonate with me. At the moment, my husbaand and I are facing an impossible situation that doesn't seem to have an answer. We have tried our best and continue to keep going. My fear and anxiety multiply as each day passes. I don't want to face what the outcome will be if something doesn't materialise. But, my husband keeps reminding me to keep my faith in God, that He will provide an answer as He's always done when situations have been dire. 

I will be honest, dear reader. This has not been easy for me. I'm the sort of person who will work and work to find an answer. There has to be a way. There has to be something I can do to fix this. But, now, this time, there's nothing I can do. I've tried. And I have resigned myself to what the consequences will be. I've basically given up. BUT.. I have this teeny little glimmer, my hope in God, that He will somehow pull us out of this. So, I keep soldiering on... and I, as you,..continue to be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection on todays readings: https://youtu.be/FDNilYlRmXQ

The Hope of Things to Come

Good Morning, dear reader, and happy Tuesday! The sun is out, which is a good thing! Today's reading in the book of Numbers kind of reminds me of our transition from winter to spring. We slogged our way through snow, ice and bitter cold, holding on to the promise of the coming spring and warmer weather. We tick off the days on the calendar in anticipation of better weather. And, as the months wore on, we saw the subtle signs. Less snow, less cold. A little more sunshine. The honking of the returning geese. The chirpping of the birds in the morning. This gives us hope that it won't be long till we see spring and all its glory! 

I'm sure the Israelites must've felt the same way. They've been travelling for a long time, experiencing war and hunger. They just wanted to get to the place that God had promised them. They wanted to be able to finally relax and enjoy their new lives. The desert was just about the last straw. No edible food, no water, just sand.. lots and lots of sand. They wondered if God really had a plan for them. They've fought battle after battle. Their numbers were dwindling. Would any of them still be left to even settle in the promised land? 

The Israelites began complaining to Moses, they complained to God. God hears their complaints
and becomes angered that they would question His plans for them. To complain about their journey. In an answer to their grievances, He sends snakes to punish them! One by one, the snakes pick off more of our weary warriors. The people realise what their complaining has done. It made it seem like they doubted God's plan. They realise what they had done was wrong. They ask God to forgive them. In His infinite mercy, God provides them with a remedy. He tells Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on the tip of a spear, "Make a saraph (snake) and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover" (Nm 21:8, NAB).

We know that God wouldn't ask us to worship some false idol. So why the snake on the pole? This is actually a metaphore. We have to look in John's Gospel for the explanation, "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up" (Jn 3:14, NAB). God was telling His people to remember that when they question His motives, when they question why this is happening, they are not putting God first. They are not relying on their faith. They need to trust that God has a plan for them.

We experience the bad so that we can appreciate the good things even more! We need to experience the pain, the uncertainty, to put our faith to the test. We need to put in the hard work first. We have to be reminded that we must trust God's plan for us. It is only through these trials of life that we can appreciate the good things that happen even more! We can look back at how far we have come, the things we have survived, the things that have brought us to this place we are now at. 

Now... on to John's Gospel... 

This is the first time that we are seeing the Jesus alluding to the fact of His eventual death, 'I am going away and you will not look for me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going you cannot come" (Jn 8:21, NAB). The ones listening speculate that Jesus is referring to His own death, which He was. Except that it would not be self-inflicted. Rather, it was pre-destined by God. He further tells them that if they do not believe in Him, and in His Father, then will we die with the stain of our sins on our souls. Jesus admits that He can say quite a bit about their sins and unholy ways, but He chooses not to, for His words come from God above. He speaks for His Father. And His Father is the only one who can judge. Jesus tells us that the only way we can follow Him is by believing in Him, in the things that His death and ressurection will bring us. Jesus will redeem us and our sins through His own suffering. He will give us the greatest gift of all, eternal life in heaven. 

So, dear reader, this concludes our "lesson" for today. Keep praying, keep believing. Jesus loves us all. And as always... be a nice human. 😇

For a better reflection on today's word, watch Father Bill's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYuHzSHvJ3o

Here is a version of "Lead Me To The Cross" by Maranatha Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c0-ga-5dRg

On being a nice human

Good morning, dear reader and a blessed Sunday to you. This is our last Sunday of the Lenten season. Next Sunday we begin the Passion of Christ, where we will see the story of His death and resurrection begin. 

We begin this morning with the prophet Isaiah. God is speaking to the people, reminding them that He is the God who makes way for all. He is the one who rules the oceans and the lands. He is also the one who punishes the wicked and rewards the just. He reminds us that He is the one who created us in His image. He is the one who puts on us the task of spreading His word. 

God also reminds us that we are not to focus on the things of the past. What's done is done. We are to savour today and enjoy the things He has given us. He has provided the life-giving waters of His words to help us on this journey. Without that, we become like the baren desert. We need to start each new day with His word, His instruction. It is through these words that we are to conduct ourselves and our life; to remind all that He is responsible for our being here. 

Philippians is one of my favourite books in the Bible. It was written by the apostle Paul, who, at the time, was in prison for spreading the word of Jesus, facing his imminent death. He is using this letter to guide the faithful Christians on how to live a life that speaks of Jesus. He is recounting his thankfulness for his conversion at Damascus (Acts 9:1-31). Paul is reminding us that we need to always remain thankful and humble for all that we have found in Jesus. To remember that it is not the material things in life that count, but our faith in Jesus is what is important. 

Moving on to our reading in John. We see Jesus is teaching the people who have come to the temple to listen to Him. In the middle of this, a group of men barge in, hauling with them a woman who they have caught committing adultry. They know that this is a mortal sin that breaks one of the great commandments. This sin must be punished. The men want to use this event as a way to solidify their case against Jesus. They're basically saying that Jesus knows this is a sin, that the woman needs to be punished, and if He doesn't punish her, then He is breaking the law as well. But their plan backfires. Jesus tells them that the person who is blameless, who is without sin, should be the first one to stone the woman. At this point, I imagine the gentlemen must've looked at each other, realising that none of them are as lily white as they claim to be. They slowly shuffle out of the temple, leaving the woman and Jesus alone. Jesus then looks at the woman and asks her where are the people who said she is guilty? Are they still here? He tells her that He is not here to judge her. He forgives her sins, tells her to be good and not do it again. He is giving her a second chance to change her life. I'm sure the woman was grateful and would not take a chance on her life again. 

All of this reminds us that we owe our lives to our Creator. That Jesus took our sins with us to the cross. All we need to do in return is live our lives according to the laws that God set before us. When we sin, and we will, we need to admit to what we have done wrong and ask forgiveness, promising that we will try to do better. This does not mean we are free to go and do it again, ask forgiveness again.. it doesn't work that way. If we constantly do the things we know are wrong, then we are not truly sorry for having done it. Those actions WILL be punishable. As the saying goes, we reap what we sow. And that, dear reader, is what I mean when I say be a nice human. Treat others as you wish to be treated, let your life speak of your faith, and be thankful every day. 

Enough of my preaching.. go out there and spread love and kindness. Be a nice human to all you meet!! 😇

Here is a video for the song "To The Cross" by Paul Baloche:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mzqwnAvpTQ

The Bigger Picture

Happy Thursday, dear reader!! It is going to be a warm, albeit, wet Thursday here, but I'll take rain over snow any day!! It has been a long and cold winter and I'm more than ready for a glorious Spring!

Our first reading today takes us to the book of Exodus. The Israelites have been on a journey to find a place of peace. Moses had gone to the mount to speak with God. The people had become worried that he hasn't come back. So, they turn to Aaron to do something. They are looking for someone or something to worship. They are in need of a new leader. They do not have the patience to wait for Moses to return. This was not a good choice. When God gets wind of what the people are doing, He tells Moses that he best hurry back and put these people straight, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved." (Ex 32:7, NAB). 

Worshipping a golden calf may not seem so immoral to us today. We've all seen a lot worse. But back in the time of Moses, God saw this a real affront. This was sinful and scandalous behavior. Here He was, trying to liberate these people, finding them a place of peace where they could live out their days, and as soon as their leader disappears for a bit, they go all haywire. God is so insensed that He tells Moses to leave Him alone so He can think about how He wants to teach these people a lesson, "Let Me alone, then, that My wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." (Ex 32:10, NAB). But Moses wants to give these people a second chance. God decides to listen to Moses and spares them. However, Moses is now armed with the Ten Commandments. Now there are rules, given straight from God, on how they should conduct themselves from here on out.

We all make mistakes. We all wander off the path that God has chosen for us. We all want to fit in with the rest of society. That's what Moses tries to tell God. These were His people. God chose them to settle a new land where they would be free to worship Him without fear of condemnation. They've been wandering in this desert, they are in need of direction, of hope. And God realized this. He gave His rules for the people to follow so that they wouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Which brings us to John's Gospel. It's a bit confusing as it refers to giving witness to God, needing people to confirm things, who is fit to be the witnesses. So, in Father Bill's video, he asks us a simple question to ponder. What has brought you here? Why now? Is God trying to lead you out of your own desert? What does that desert look like? Where are you trying to go and why? 

As you try and answer those questions, go back and reread todays passages. How does your life mimic them? Have you asked the Lord to spare you from your sins? Search your heart today. Find the places where you need some encouragment. Pray on that. Meditate on it. Then ask God to guide you to where you need to be. And, as always, dear reader.. be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXEwxkRUj0M

A New Creation

Good Morning, dear reader, and a blessed Sunday to you!! This morning we are looking at becoming a new creation in Christ. The two parables we read tell us about someone who has fallen away, but then repented and was received with great joy!

We see this same theme in Joshua, but in a slightly different manner. The Israelites have come through some awful trials. They are now on their way to a new, and better, life. They celebrate the feast of Passover joyfully. This is their new beginning. They remained faithful to God's word and followed His path. They are free to celebrate. They are free to worship God. 

In the Gospel readings this morning, Jesus uses parables, stories that teach a basic truth or moral about life, to demonstrate His point that even if it is one soul who departs from Him, it is still important to Him. He will seek out that one person and console them with His love and forgiveness.

In our first part, from the Gospel of Luke, we see the story of the lost sheep. The people who were assembled could not understand why Jesus would invite the sinners and the tax collectors to eat with Him and to pray with Him. Why would someone as Holy as Jesus choose to be with these kinds of people? Jesus uses the metaphore of the lost sheep to explain it. We should not ignore or foget the ones who fall away. We need to seek them out. We need to bring them back into the fold. We need to reassure them that Jesus loves them just like He loves the faithful and obedient ones. We need to celebrate the ones who choose to come back. We need to love the ones who voluntarily leave their sins behind so they can follow Jesus. 

In the second part of the parable, the prodigal son, we see how the son who stayed on to help his father, the one who remained faithful to his father, become indignant when the son who ran off to squander his fortunes, was welcomed back with a big celebration. Why would his father do that? This one did not stay to help. Rather, he went off to spend what was given him, to indulge in things that were sinful. What he didn't understand was that the son who wandered away was the one who CHOSE to come back and seek forgiveness. He was truly sorry for what he had done. It required him to humble himself to his father and beg forgiveness. It's a difficult thing to admit we were wrong, to admit our failings. It's quite the vulnerable place for most of us.

In our readings from 2 Corinthians, we are reminded that when we go to Jesus and admit our sins, when we admit our weakness, when we repent for our sins, we become new. We are given a second chance through Jesus's love for us. He will never turn away from one that willingly comes to Him. He reminds us that no matter how far we may have fallen, He will always be there to catch us. He will always forgive us if we are truly sorry for what we have done. It's not an easy task. And it shouldn't be. If it were easy, we would just keep doing what we were doing, and keep asking for forgiveness. But it doesn't work that way. We need to suffer, in a sense, for what we did. And we have to try and not do it again.

When Lent begins, it is a good time to reaffirm our choice to follow Jesus. We need to take the time to rekindle the flame of our excitement. It is also a time to celebrate with those who are newly born into God's family! It is our chance to help lead them along the path! 

Take some time today to be thankful for your faith. Take time to celebrate Christ and what He sacrificed for us. Remind yourself WHY you chose to follow Him. And, as always, dear reader, be a nice human. 😇

“A Prayer Of Affirmation Of Faith”**

Father, we are grateful to be Your children. It is not by our own goodness, behavior, or generosity that we purchase or earn this standing. It is because of Jesus, who came clothed in human flesh so that He might reach His own people and release them from their sins. Though many reject the Gospel message, we choose to believe and gratefully declare that we are the children of God. Nothing can compare with such privilege or power as we make our earthly journey below and anticipate eternity in heaven above. In the name of Jesus, we reaffirm and joyfully proclaim our decision to follow You all the days of our lives. Amen.

**Source: https://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2021/12/10/a-prayer-of-affirmation-of-faith/

Here is a wonderful song that reminds us we can never fall too far from Jesus's grace and mercy. https://youtu.be/Sa7PrjpE8dY 

Mercy and Forgiveness

Good afternoon friends! Happy Tuesday! Our readings today emphasise the goodness of God's mercy and forgiveness, but also reminds us that our faith in the Lord MUST be unconditional. We can't say that we follow Christ, that we believe in Christ, except...._______ (insert excuse here).  

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego* refused to worship the statue created by King Nebuchadnezzar, it was because they held on to their belief in God. They would not abandon Him to save their own selves. Upon hearing this refusal, the king had them thrown into a white hot furnace. The three men prayed and exhalted God. They knew that they had done things in their lives that didn't exactly live up to what God expected. They knew they were sinners (as we all are sinners). They felt that this was God's judgement on them. However, they also understood that it lay in God's hands to forgive them, as He had promised "For Your name's sake, do not deliver us up forever, or make void Your covenant." (Dn 3:34, NAB). What these men did is what we should do every time we pray. We are asking for God's mercy on our souls. We understand that there will be some form of punishment for what we did, but we freely give ourselves to be washed clean in the blood of Christ. 

In that same vane, in Matthew, we hear about forgiveness and mercy, but we look at our own ability to forgive. Peter asks Jesus how many times he is expected to forgive others. Although Jesus answers with "seventy-seven times", He doesn't mean that after you have forgiven the seventy-seventh time, you're off the hook. It's meant to illustrate that we are to forgive always. 

The story of the king who showed mercy to his servant by cancelling his debts is a great illustration of this. There was an unspoken expectation that just as the king cancelled the debt of his servant, the servant was to show that same mercy to others. When he found out that the servant punished those who owed him, the king felt that this man had taken advantage of his kindness. He demanded that this man needed to be punished for what he had done (which is only fitting, really).

At the end of the story, Jesus reminds Peter "So will My Heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart." (Mt 18:35, NAB). The point here is that God's absolution is already bestowed upon us. However, if we refuse to forgive others as God has forgiven us, that mercy will be withdrawn upon our final judgement. We will be held accountable and justly punished.

It's not easy to forgive others who have hurt us. I know I still hold much resentment for past hurts. We all do. We wouldn't be human, really, if we didn't. We are supposed to show the same mercy to others that God shows to us. But, sometimes, this can be so difficult to do. That hurt just runs too deep and it's been there for too long. Still, at some point it needs to be let go of. If you are having a hard time with it, pray to God to help you to release it. In time, it will become easier to just let it go. Let Go and Let God.

I found this prayer and thought I would share it with all of you. Ask God to help you.

Be blessed my friends. And, as always..... be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection on today's readings: https://youtu.be/6CVpZxp6b6Q

A great song by Matthew West about forgiveness: 

https://youtu.be/FMn0QNdiuGE

*Abednego.. King Nebuchadnezzar had changed his name from Azariah (which means "Yahweh has helped.") to Abednego.  The boys' names were changed as a way of encouraging them to forget the God and traditions of their homeland and conform to the ways and gods of Babylon.

Cast Aside

Do you have siblings? If you do, you can understand what it is that Joseph is dealing with. Can you imagine your sibling disliking you so much that they plot your death? I'm sure as children, we've all had that fantasy at least once. I'm sure my own children may have had that thought a time or two. lol 

Joseph really suffers because his father favors him above his other children. Joseph's brothers ridicule him about his dream. They couldn't think of being subjects under Joseph's rule. It's more or less "you can't tell me what to do!" and Joseph saying that someday he will! The brothers' jealousy is so bad that they plot his death. But then they reconsider. After all, Joseph is their flesh and blood. So they decide to sell him. Now the brothers have to come up with some good excuse why Joseph is gone. So they decide to tell their father that he had been accidentally killed. Upon hearing this, their father is utterly devistated. I'm sure the brothers must've felt terrible seeing their father be so forelone and saddened. This is their punishment for their jealousy. This is something they will have to live with the rest of their lives.

We see a similar story play out in today's Gospel. We see what people will do when they are greedy or jealous. Jesus used this story to illustrate to that oftentimes it is the one who was cast aside, the one who has been forgotten who will have the most favor with Him in heaven. We should take comfort in this, especially if you are one of those people who always is left out, who is ignored, who isn't accepted by society. You may have to suffer for a time here on Earth, but be assured that you will be the favored one in heaven. Trust in Jesus. Place all your hurts and brokeness at His feet. Allow Him to hold you up. Let him fill the emptiness. You are loved and wanted by Jesus. And that's really all that matters.

Show kindness to all. Sometimes it takes just takes one word to make someone's day better. As I always remind you... be a nice human. 

Listen to Father Bill's take on today's readings. Then take some time to reflect on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tjV0KOzMn0

Words and Forgiveness

Friday March 11, 2022

Read: Ezekial 18:21-28; Matthew 5:20-26

Ezekial was a prophetic prophet, often having visions and mystical insights. So often, God spoke through him, often putting himself in the midst of people in order to spread God's word. 

Chapter 18 emphasizes taking personal responsibility for ones actions. He extoles all things that are considered sinful and the only way to forgiveness is confessing your sins to God in order to live. If one does not take responsibility, if one continues to sin, then the outcome will  surely be death. If not death of the physical self, it certainly would mean death of your spirit and knowing one will not be able to enter the Kingdom of God when they die.

In Matthew, Jesus takes thing a step above. It's not just our actions that can be sinful, but also our words. This is something all of us can identify with. Many priests and pastors use some form of Psalm 19:14 before beginning their homily. The pastor at my former church would always use it before speaking, offering his heart to Jesus so that his words would speak only of love and faith. Wouldn't it be nice if we could do this before we speak, especially when we are angry? We can't take back what was said. But, we can ask forgiveness, both from Jesus and from the person we hurt. It's not an easy thing to do. It requires great strength and humility. You will be a better person for doing this, though. 

At the end of the day, take stock of your actions AND your words. Do they speak of love or hate? What does this say about you? What changes can you make? Bring your wrong doings to the foot of the Cross and ask forgiveness, then try to do better tomorrow. We are imperfect beings of a perfect God. 

Be Blessed and speak life, hope and love. 

Here's a video from Toby Mac about speaking life. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeBv9r92VQ0&ab_channel=TobyMacVEVO

And for further insight to today's reading, here's another video from Father Bill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-bKutiG584&ab_channel=hsccwyo

Repentence and Change

 The overarching theme for this Lenten season is repentence. We see it over and over in the readings we have done so far. However, with Jonah, not only is this about repentence, but it is also about second chances. 

Jonah is often referred to as the reluctant prophet. Most of us are familiar with the story of Jonah and the whale. That was his first chance to do what it was God asked of him and he messed it up. 

So now, God comes to him a second time. He wants Jonah to go to Nineveh to deliver the message that the city will be wiped out in 40 days if they do not repent of their sins. When this message reaches the king, instead of brushing it off or not believing, he runs to the people and tells them what will happen. The people know the power of God and are quick to gather, to fast, to ask forgiveness for their sin. The king hopes that when God sees what they have done, He will spare them, which God ultimately does.

We see the reference to Jonah and Nineveh in Luke's Gospel. Jesus is speaking about change and repentence. He is what Jonah was to Nineveh. The One who will come to save all of us once we give up control to Him and to follow Him. He is the something more than Jonah. 

I found this video with a wonderful commentary on today's reading. Much better than what I have written. Take a moment to check it out. It's only a little over 6 minutes. (You may have to copy and paste the link into your browser..)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_1yTQVOqts&ab_channel=hsccwyo

First Friday of Lent

 Read: Isaiah 58: 1-9; Matthew 9: 14-15

As we begin today, we are reminded of why it is we fast. We make a sacrifice. Sacrifice. A word we see so much of during the Lenten season. It is because all that we deny ourselves brings us closer to Jesus, who made the ultimate sacrifice. It reminds us of that sacrifice. How small what we deny ourselves compared to what Jesus did. 

With that being said, Friday is also about redemption. We need to be reminded that we are sinners, and for that there must be a way for us to atone for our sins. We need to step out of ourselves and see the bigger picture. We need to walk in our faith. We need to humble ourselves at the foot of the cross. Isaiah 58:9 tells us "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and He will say: Here I Am!" It seems a lot to be asking of us. And it is. But that is precisely the point of the whole thing. We are saying that we are imperfect. We are saying that without Jesus to guide us, we become creatures of the flesh. 

When we bring our suffering to Jesus, when we call out for His help, He meets us where we are, and takes up our offering, combining it with His own. And with this we are redeemed and renewed in His love and forgiveness. We are redeemed through His blood that He shed for us. We rejoice in this, and we are reassured of His ever lasting love. 

Be humbled today. Remind yourself that what you are giving up is so much more than the physical. You will walk in His beauty and light. "Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday" (Isaiah 58:10)