CFC Household Discussion or General Assembly Exhortation: April 2012
Most people like happy
endings to a story. Most writers of
novels or plays quite often try to make sure that stories end up that way. In general, people like a drama that ends
well.
The life, death and Resurrection
of Jesus is for us Christians, the world’s greatest drama.
God is the author of the drama which is His
eternal plan for our salvation. God, the
creator of the entire universe chose to become a man like us (except sin) so he
can suffer and die for us.
By his death
Jesus freed us from sin. By his
Resurrection he conquered death itself and opened for us the path to new
life. The glorious Resurrection of our
Lord is the basis of our faith and the reason for our joy as Christians. Without this victory over death, “…and if Christ was not raised, your faith
is worthless. You are still in your
sins, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ are the deadest of the dead.”
(1 Cor. 15: 17-18).
The Gospel is not a tragedy,
but a narrative with a true happy ending.
As we rejoice at the happy ending of the story and share in the victory that
Christ won for us, let us also not forget the supreme sacrifice of himself that
our Lord had to offer in order to achieve the victory.
Easter is a celebration of Christ’s victory
over the very things that we struggle against: the world, the flesh, and the
devil. But the victory of Easter only comes after the Passion for there is no
victory without sacrifice. Recall the
passion of Christ and reflect upon the importance of virtues; how living them
out can help us experience the victory of Easter more fully in our lives.
- Jesus exemplified justice
in the Garden of Gethsemane as he rendered to the Father what is due him -
complete obedience and love.
- When he was arrested, he showed
great fortitude while his enemies mocked and spat at him.
- He showed prudence
before Caiaphas and Pilate as they questioned and judged him.
- At the height of his suffering
on Golgotha, he showed temperance by choosing to stay on the cross
rather than use his power to escape it.
- His faith in the Father
was firm even as his physical strength began to wane.
- The hope in his heart
was certain that God will be victorious in the end.
- His love for us endured
as he gave up his last breath.
Share on the following:
- What important spiritual lessons did you learn throughout your Lenten journey?
- Some people give up things they enjoy the most during Lent as an offering to God and as a means of sharing Christ’s suffering. What did you give up during Lent? What spiritual gains did you experience by giving up that one thing that you enjoy the most?
- Which
of the Easter stories inspires you most deeply: Christ revealing himself to Mary
Magdalene in the garden? Jesus
helping Thomas overcome his doubt?
Jesus opening the hearts and minds of his disciples at Emmaus in
the breaking of the bread? Jesus
calling Peter to “Feed my lambs” after Peter’s triple affirmation of
love? What are the reasons for your
choice?
Author: CFC USA Pastoral Formation Office
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