We ponder on the 7 “T”s of the Easter season.
“You who are children of Israel, hear these words. Jesus the Nazorean was a man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know. This man, delivered by the plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2: 22)
The Lenten observance of 40 days was short. Unnoticed due to profound living out of fasting, abstinence, almsgiving, and prayer, the Easter season is here.
Time is indeed fast and short. We cannot stop time and we cannot slow down the days. But if given justice, time becomes meaningful and fruitful amidst the seemingly fast turn of days and events. Time is not our property, it is God’s property. The early life of Jesus was spent to fulfill his mission. He may have lived a short life of 33 years; he was able to fulfill his vision and mission.
Time is past, present, and future. But time is here and now and we live according to the will and life of Jesus. So that when our earthly time ceases, we will have the perpetual time with the Lord in his Kingdom.
In life, we cannot actually escape earthly trials. Like Jesus, he was tried many times by human standards, human laws, and by the people. Being always anchored to the Father, he overcame all the early trials.
Trials vary from one person to the other but an optimist will always treat trials as elements of maturity and strength.
Temptation and deception are works of the evil one to bring people to sin and transgress the Lord. Temptation can happen to anyone and it happens every day. Nevertheless, being fed with spiritual nourishment, we will always read the mind of the devil and resist. Jesus was tempted many times by the devil. The devil even made use of the bible and the apostles to tempt Jesus. But Jesus triumphed.
We cannot remove temptations in the world but we can always triumph over them.
Test is a part of life. Even in school or when people apply for work, test is required to assess the capacity of a person. Otherwise, more information and training will be provided.
Test of faith is the work of God to his people. It is not to destroy the person but to bring him to a higher realm of life and purpose. Abraham was tested by God. Abraham did not evade the difficult test. He confronted it but with full trust in the Lord. He triumphed over the test.
Human reality tells that test comes every day. We face them but we face them with faith in the risen Jesus. We can fail the test if we are not grounded in the very life of Jesus.
Jesus was tested, “Father remove this cup from me.” On the cross, he uttered human weakness, “Father, why have you forsaken me?” But the beautiful story goes on with the divinity of Jesus when he said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” More beautifully when he said, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”
Jesus triumphed over human trials, tests, and temptations because he did not disconnect himself with the Father.
Jesus eventually died. His body was stripped from life. But God raised Jesus. Nobody saw the resurrection but the empty tomb and the linen have proven his resurrection. Unlike Lazarus where Jesus commanded him, “Lazarus wake up,” and where Jesus said to the apostles, “Remove the linen from his body,” Jesus’ story of resurrection is different. Jesus rose from the dead even without the command because Jesus is God. The tomb became the resting place of the body but above all the proof that Jesus is risen.
Healing prayers for Ferdinand Castañeda and Rev.Fr. Benedict Castañeda.
Blessed Easter to all!
Reach me at [email protected].
April 16, 2024
