“Be willing to really encounter Jesus. Sometimes we like to think of a Jesus who gives us warm fuzzies and makes us all happy. But if you really encounter Jesus, you will find the cross. But notice Jesus himself doesn’t say anything about death. “I am the resurrection and the life,” He claims.

Many experiences, especially difficult ones, are about finding new life and choosing it. In doing so, we choose Jesus. This is the heart of Christianity. We choose Jesus and it isn’t a warm fuzzy Jesus. It is a Jesus who can enter into our pain and our suffering.

I do not believe Jesus is a magician who, if we keep all the rules, makes happiness magically appear. I believe our lives are about discovery. Discovery who Jesus is, who we are, and what we are called to be. Choosing to accept this gift means our relationship has to grow. It has to change. Our image of God changes, our ability to see how close the divine is changes.

We have been given a great gift. We have been changed because of Him.
And now we have to use this gift for the sake of other people so that they may find meaning in their suffering——this is the redemption of Christ.”

Fr. David Colhour, CP, 4.2.08


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