above courtesy http://www.praytherosaryapostolate.com/palmsunday.htm |
I relay to you a most heartfelt Palm Sunday greeting with a message of healing for you during this Holy Week.
Palm Sunday is, traditionally, a day of 'triumph'. It heralds a joyous reception of our Savior Jesus, replete with cheers and shouts of joy as he passes by the crowd.
But, even with all the happiness this day brings, there is an undercurrent of not only sadness, but of anticipation and even 'dread', as well.
Those who know this Gospel story, know that Jesus will soon be arrested, sentenced and crucified before long.
So, too, do our modern day Christian celebrations sometimes become 'marred' and mired in sadness as relatives and friends, of different denominations (or of no denomination at all, meaning agnostics and atheists) gather for holidays like Easter and Christmas.
We know that no matter how much 'joyous fun' we are supposed to have, there is bound to be a 'thing or two' that sets our loved ones 'on edge' and causes strife during the holidays.
Sometimes, the controversial subject causing discord is interpersonal in nature.
But, sometimes, religious and denominational differences also rear their heads and this is where my message comes in.
It is this: when loved ones debate about 'interdenominational differences', remember that, in Christ, there is only one way.
And that is the Way of Jesus!
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil." 1Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NIV)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5&version=NIV
So my suggestion for you this Easter, however you choose, as a Christian, to celebrate it with family and friends is this:
Celebrate that which you hold sacred in common. Cast aside that which divides you. And, above all, remember to 'celebrate the good' this Easter.
Yes, Holy Week is rift with agonizing sadness.
But, like a spring bulb hunkering just below the surface of sweet dirt, we know that we are on the brink of 'witnessing' the amazing Resurrection of Christ.
It's spectacular, it's a wonderment and we stand in awe of spring life, and in awe of eternal life.
With Love in Christ,
Rev. Barbara Sexton
www.DearOnesHealingMinistry.blogspot.com
courtesy www.GospelGifs.com |
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