When Jesus rises from the dead, it isn't "life-as-usual" - He has reached a whole new way of being human. Likewise, He wants to raise us up to a higher way of life, becoming New Creations in Him. His breath, His Spirit, and His mercy are the ways in which He refashions us into His Likeness after sin has disfigured us!

The grave has an insatiable appetite - it forever consumes men and women without hope of release. Throughout the centuries, philosophers and wise men have sought to make sense of the mystery of death - but none could conquer it...until a Man comes in disguise to defeat the ancient dragon that has held us bound. He wins the battle in a most unexpected way - by being consumed by death, He conquers death...by surrendering Himself to the grave, He overcomes the grave. And we who have Him dwelling in our souls will also know that same victory over death.

To celebrate Passover recalls the mighty deeds that God had worked to bring His people out of slavery into freedom. But there is a deeper, more ancient bondage which has held us bound since the beginning of time. We needed another Passover Lamb, slain for us, to set us free from this bondage - and we mystically participate in this freedom every time we make present the Sacrifice of Calvary in the Mass.

The Jews were awaiting a Messiah like David - the King who brought about an earthly reign of justice. How surprised they were, then, when their Messiah stood before them wearing a crown of thorns and rejected by men. Likewise, we all want to love Jesus when He promises us the joys of Heaven - do we love Him when He leads us to the Cross?

We are in the month dedicated to St. Joseph, the silent yet strong father of Jesus Christ. Let's look at some aspects of what makes him truly amazing, and how his holy characteristics can impact and change our lives!

It's easy to make excuses in the spiritual life, especially in Lent. Even the Pharisees made excuses for their lack of faith in the Gospel. But when we consider the lavish invitation that God is offering us and the amazing ways He has shown His love, we ought to put away our excuses and make resolution to follow Him with our whole heart!

When Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink, He is thirsting for more than ordinary water. Rather, He burns with an unquenchable thirst for her love, for her soul. As our world grows more apathetic towards the Lord, His thirst continues to grow. How can we quench the burning thirst of Jesus?

To be "awesome" means to be full of awe, wonder, astonishment at something. And this is never more true than in the Transfiguration, when the Apostles fell on their faces, trembling, in the presence of the Awesome One. We, too, know by faith that Jesus is among us - how do we reverence His Name, His plans, and His Eucharistic Body and Blood?

Concluding our discussion from two weeks ago, Fr. Joseph expounds upon the final two parts of the Good News of Jesus Christ: that although we had turned away from Him through sin, His death reconciled us to God so that we can now live with Him through faith.

Jesus tells us to be perfect...but I thought no one was perfect! Rather, Christ tells us to live out our destiny as sons and daughters of the Most High God. We may look ordinary, but we have a noble calling and a dignity that far surpasses all the riches and honors of this earth. Tune in to hear how this dignity is lived out!