This past week, all the quotes posted to social media (Facebook, Instagram, X) spoke of the time we are in: Holy Week and Easter. Contemplation is paradise on earth, a crucified paradise. — Jacques Maritain Contemplation is not anesthesia, imperturbability, deliverance from all that might agitate a person, an ascent to the Sea of Tranquility. …
Tag Archives: Paschal Triduum
I End at the Foot of the Cross
Now is not the time to write, rather to weep. Jesus is dead to give us life. All creatures are mourning. The sun is darkened. The earth quakes. The rocks are rent. The veil of the temple is torn. Only my heart remains harder than flint. I will say no more. Join the poor mother …
Henceforth Lifted Up
The Cross on which the Saviour of the world bled has been henceforth lifted up, for all time to come, as a radiant star capable of purifying from all crime and capable of illuminating all despairs. Charles Cardinal Journet (1891–1975)
Even More
Our Lord saved the world even more by His heroic love on the Cross than by His sermons. His words gave us light, pointed out the way for us to follow; His death on the Cross obtained for us the grace to follow this way. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP (1877–1964)
Paschal Mystery
Baptized in his death Rise we do to life But we travel long Through a world of strife
The Marvel of Fruitful Suffering
One of the marvels accomplished by our Saviour is to have rendered fruitful what was most useless, that is, suffering. He glorified it by obedience and love. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP (1877–1964)
If You Cannot Meditate on the Passion…
If you cannot meditate on the Passion of Jesus, speak about it to him: “Lord so loving, what was within your heart in the garden? Such pain, such blood, such bitter agony! And all for me?” At times, it will seem you can neither meditate nor remain lovingly attentive before God. You are like a …
“But Take Courage: I Have Conquered the World”
Today in the Mass readings for the Latin Rite, we hear Jesus tell his disciples: “I have said this to you, so that in me you have have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage: I have conquered the world!” (Jn 16:33). The Paschal context of this statement of Jesus’ lends itself …
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Paschal Mystery
One of my favourite tags on this blog is changing sadness into joy. It’s always too easy to think that Christianity is about these rules and this patience and this detachment and these sufferings and these commands – and to stop there. But while all of those things find their place in Christianity, they find their …
Jesus is Being Glorified
Good Friday is a – or “the” – day when Jesus is being glorified. The Scriptures attest to this. At the Last Supper: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son…” (Jn 17:1ff). At the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor: “[Moses and Elijah were] speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem… [The three …
Contemplative in the Mud 