HOLY SATURDAY

Numerous readings may be proclaimed tonight, the Easter Vigil, yet I find myself returning to this phrase in the Letter to the Romans: “As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.” I imagine the amazement, excitement and joy that fills the hearts of Jesus’s friends and disciples as they discover their leader has risen from death. Jesus’s resurrection fosters passion in his disciples: to spread his life and teachings for future generations to come.

Yet, this revelation surely comes at an interesting time for Jesus’s disciples. Only a short while before, they were grappling with devastation and grief at the loss of their friend. When have you faced a setback, only to shortly discover love and meaning just around the corner? Where do your passions spring from? Where do you find Jesus in what excites you and brings you joy? How do you live for Jesus?

At Holy Cross, we are continually encouraged by faculty mentors to discover our passions and pursue them in earnest. Often, we discover our passions through new experiences, where we can learn from setbacks faced along the way. I believe our passions — what brings us joy and awakens our spirit — help us cultivate areas in our lives where we can live for Jesus. 

What does this look like for you?