Introspective Sheppardese

Good Friday is the only day in the Christian calendar in which the center of the ceremony is not the Eucharist but the cross.   We do not consecrate the host on this day, but consume the reserve sacrament from the previous day. Have you ever realized after preparing a delicious meal that everything tastes better the day after? The leftovers have that property. They taste especially different with such deliciousness because they have soaked in the spices and the juices better.   In our Christian life, eating the reserve sacrament the day after, reminds us of this special taste of Jesus’ sacrifice and offering for us. We have the privilege to recreate this memory as if it were our first memory of the taste of Jesus’ body and blood. The cross requires all of our attention. We contemplate, honor, revere and worship the crucified Jesus. This is the ultimate act of salvation in which the law of the prophets and God’s promise to God’s people are fulfilled. Jesus gives his spirit...

Today’s gospel reading is straightforward. Jesus is talking about radical hospitality. I know for many of us, it’s something difficult to achieve, especially when we hear the news. How discouraging the world could be in this time and age? Don’t you think? We hear J esus [saying], "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”   I cannot imagine my life, as it is now, without Christ; however I remember a time when it was difficult for me to go to church. My mother and father were not going, and my great-grand mother had to twist my arm to go to church.   I did not appreciate my Great-grand mother’s commitment and sacrifices until later on. She changed her visitors (family and friends) schedules, so we could enjoy attending church together. I call this, “radical”.   What do we have to do to make that radical change in our lives? How do we welcome Christ in our lives? It’s simple. I shared with you my story when I came to...