Podcasts – deacon rudy's notes

Through our liturgies and firmly rooted in the present, we look to the past and the future. We celebrate what God has already done for us in Christ and the Holy Spirit. We are drawn into the mystery of God’s saving action giving us a glimpse of the heavenly banquet. Easter is the heart of Christian faith, hope and love.

We begin Holy Week cheering at the return of the king. We stand helpless as Jesus carries his cross. But we look forward when the darkness that shrouds the crucifixion is chased away by the light at Easter. We are an Easter people and alleluia is our song!

The Stations of the Cross are first and foremost a meditation on the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, very often coming from the arrest of Jesus in John 18:1 to the death of Jesus in John 19:42.

No matter what the devil threatens to throw at us in these times (uncertainty, fear, doubt), with faith we can proclaim from our windows and our balconies, this too shall pass.

The life of the Church over the course of the year is organized in way that helps us contemplate God’s saving action through Jesus Christ from the incarnation to the ascension.

We are Christian and if there ever was a time to show your love for others, it’s now. Like the old Christian hymn says, "And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love!"

We are all part of the Body of Christ. United with Christ, we become God’s glory. United with Christ we become part of true liturgy – that cosmic liturgy which strives to draw all of us to God. We may be isolated, but we are not alone!

This Lent in combination with the pandemic is a powerful time to turn our sin over to Jesus – those moments and failings we’re not proud of, to ask for reconciliation, to be cleansed and move on in the Spirit.

Remember, exhortations often encourage virtue or a specific activity, and Querida Amazonia absolutely accomplishes those goals.

Inspired by the Transfiguration, our mission is twofold: share the Good News, and build up our faith communities.