I was struck by the questions in today's (Feb 7th 2013) second reading from Vigils. I have read this passage for over 11 years now and still new things jump out at me. This is why it is a very good idea to come back and reread and ponder passages from books especially the Bible that might not have made sense to us at the time. It is amazing how much we miss the first time around.
These are the passages that jumped out at me this morning:
From the Catecheses by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
At Siloam, there was a sense of wonder, and rightly so. A man born blind recovered his sight. But of what importance is this, when there are so many blind people in the world? Lazarus rose from the dead, but even this affected only Lazarus. What of those countless numbers who have died because of their sins? Those five miraculous loaves fed five thousand people. Yet this is a small number compared to those all over the world who were starved by ignorance. After eighteen years a woman was freed from the bondage of Satan. But are we not all shackled by the chains of our own sins?
Certainly in times of tranquility the cross should give you joy. But maintain the same faith in times of persecution. Otherwise you will be a friend of Jesus in times of peace and his enemy during war. Now you receive the forgiveness of your sins and the generous gift of grace from your king. When war comes, fight courageously for him.
Jesus never sinned; yet he was crucified for you. Will you refuse to be crucified for him, who for your sake was nailed to the cross? You are not the one who gives the favor; you have received one first. For your sake he was crucified on Golgotha. Now you are returning his favor; you are fulfilling your debt to him.
~I hope that the Holy Spirit fills your day with joy.
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