Presence

The more we call on God, the more we can feel God’s presence. Day by day we are drawn closer to the loving heart of God.

Freedom

Guide me always to do Your holy will
knowing that Your strength will
carry me through.

Consciousness

Life is busy, Lord.
Often my best intentions are left undone,
but I know that You are with me in all I say and do,
and in everyone I meet with daily.

The Word of God

³⁵And the people stood by watching, but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” ³⁶The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine ³⁷and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

³⁹One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.” ⁴³He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Inspiration

It may seem somewhat cruel to say of the good criminal that he was in the right place at the right time, but his acknowledgement of Jesus’ innocence and his heartfelt prayer to Jesus for mercy found an immediate answer. In these extraordinary circumstances, it brings out yet again the infinite love and mercy of our God. Let us also ask Jesus to remember us.

The people were silent, but the soldiers and one of the criminals mocked him. As we read in the Book of Wisdom, ‘Let us test him with cruelty and with torture, and thus explore this gentleness of his and put his endurance to the test … But they are misled. Their malice has made them blind.’ Let us pray for the courage to put up with whatever insults and derision come from the living of our faith.

Conversation

God came to bring life, both in Flesh and Word. What life-giving word have I received today? Or if nothing touched me, can I feel the life-giving presence of Jesus with me right now?

Conclusion

I thank God for His gift of love
as I go forth with joy and hope
to serve His people.

Amen