"One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4b (the alleluia from today's mass)
Have you ever tried to go to a party and eat healthy? It's not that easy to do! I reminded my 7 year old that we celebrate Easter for 50 days and his response was "yay, more candy and parties". I think sometimes we miss the point of celebrating in the church. It's easy to focus on our spiritual health during Lent, when we are fasting and digging deeper into the word of God and our faith. But when we get to the Easter celebration it's like trying to eat healthy at that party. We keep everything on the surface and forget to dig deeper into the meaning of these 50 days.
Over the next few weeks our readings will reflect on the birth of the church. It was not an easy labor. We will see the early church fathers persecuted and martyred for their faith. During this time let us remember the courage they received from God's word. Look for ways to strengthen your faith and dig deeper into God's word during these days of Easter celebration. One way you can make that healthy choice is to start a mass journal.
Have I been resting on the surface of our Easter celebration this year?
Lord, as we depart from the desert help us recall your word that sustained us.
