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This blog is simply meant to bring God the glory; no more and no less. I'd love to hear from you! Comments, questions, conversation. rebecca.labriola@gmail.com

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Via Dolorosa Per Pax. Saturday March 12. Lent 2011.

Via Dolorosa per Pax.
It’s the name of this blog.
It is Latin for the Way of Suffering with peace.
When my dad and I were in Israel, we were extremely blessed to be able to walk this Way of Suffering.
We walked that actual path that Jesus walked from His encounter with Pilate to the tomb where Jesus was laid after His crucifixion and death.
It was such an amazing experience.
And, though it was very emotional, it wasn’t sorrowful, it was peaceful.
It was just our group walking the streets of Israel at . There was peace as we made our way to each station.
I think this is what our walk through life as a Christian is supposed to be like.
There is going to be sorrow, suffering, and pain.
Jesus did say that we were going to have to DAILY pick up our crosses.
But I don’t think that means that our lives have to be sorrowful.
We don’t have to complain about the pain and suffering. 
After all, Jesus also told us to follow Him BECAUSE His burden is easy and His load is light.
Well then, which is it? Can it be both?
I think it can.
I think we can live day in and day out carrying our little crosses for Christ and do it peacefully knowing that His burden is easy and His load is light; knowing that there is peace to be found in the imitation of Christ carrying the cross.
The Way of Suffering with peace.
Via Dolorosa per Pax.

Now, with all this talk of little sufferings and trials, Lent comes to mind.
I think the first few days of our Lenten sacrifices are the hardest; especially on the weekend.  Facebook is calling your name, or you really want to join in on sweets, or you are so tempted to hit the snooze button. Our Lenten sacrifice is probably not a routine yet but more of a nuisance or a burden.  Lent is, on a smaller scale, the Way of Suffering, which then means you have the amazing ability to make it a peaceful journey, through the power of Christ. I fully understand that Lent is a hard thing. This Lent has not been easy for me thus far but, regardless I am still finding peace it in. I am finding joy in Lent because it has been a peaceful experience. I pray wholeheartedly that you find this same peace and joy this Lent. 

The Gospel for today is from Luke 5:

Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
Awesome scripture!
Levi, a tax collector, dropped everything he was doing and followed Jesus and Jesus’ command.  And THEN Levi had a banquet, or a feast, for Jesus at His own house.
It would be an awesome thing if today, we all did what Levi did, just drop all our house projects, cleaning, our carpooling from place to place, even for just 5 minutes, and take the time to pray. Tell Jesus how your Lent is going so far. Is it hard? Are you ready to give up? Have you broken your Lenten sacrifice?
It really would be just a beautiful thing if we just dropped everything going on during our crazy Saturday and just BE with Jesus.
Jesus is inviting you.
He is inviting all of us.
He says in the next part of this Gospel that he does not call the righteous to repentance but He calls the SINNERS. Well I know very well that I am included in the latter category. We are all sinners.  Jesus said he CAME for us! The sinners! How beautiful.
We have no excuse to not just say a quick hello to Him today.
He came for US.
He died for US.
The LEAST we can do this Lenten weekend is just BE with the Lord who came to offer you eternal life.

May the peace of Christ be with you today and always.
Christ is that peace.
Find Him.

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