Both Anne Catherine and Maria sharply condemned the wickedness of the historical figures who took part in the torture and murder of Jesus. The sacrifice of the Lamb of God, they knew, was a sacrifice for all time (Hebrews 9:26-28). His Blood, like His steadfast love and His faithfulness, extends to all generations, because all generations are in desperate need of its power (Psalm 100:5; Romans 5:18-19). Reflection on Our Lord's passion blossoms into contrite confession, which in turn bears fruit-not of self-hatred, but of divine pardon, and a renewed resolve to live as Jesus lived.He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:3-5With excerpts from:The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)
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6:04
Day 39: "Follow Me!"
Jesus did not suffer unspeakable torments so that we could live comfortably. He did not die a horrible death so that we could live a life wasted in petty pursuits. No. Jesus, "suffered all this so He could bring us into the eternal glory of God the Father as true sons and daughters" (Hebrews 2:10). The destiny He intends for us is nothing less than to "be like Him" when at last we "see Him as He is. Grace costs us everything, but in the end it makes us whole. Maria's vision warns us against notions of cheap grace and calls us to embrace the Cross.Then Jesus told His disciples, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." - Matthew 16:24-25With excerpts from:The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)
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5:55
Day 38: Blood and Water
Our Lord's suffering had at last come to an end. But the graces flowing from His passion had only just begun to flood the world. Since ancient times, the Church fathers have seen in this "blood and water" the font of two life-giving sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist. In Anne Catherine's vision, a Roman officer comes to symbolize the power of the sacraments in the Church to come. Grace prompts him to approach the Body of Christ; grace heals and enlightens him through the Blood and Water and these gifts he has received he will share them with the world. One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. ... For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled ... "They shall look on Him whom they have pierced." - John 19:34-37With excerpts from:The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)
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5:33
Day 37: Satan Is Defeated
Maria's vision takes us to the moment, as Jesus was dying, that the hosts of hell finally realized who Christ was: the Word made flesh, the Redeemer of the world. Despite their maniacal rage at having been outwitted and defeated, they were powerless to resist divine judgment. God's justice snatched them out of this world and cast them into an eternal torment of their own making. At long last, the human race could be free.Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, [Christ] Himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the Devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. - Hebrews 2:14-15With excerpts from:The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)
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5:52
Day 36: The Moment of Triumph
Jesus' last words on the cross are a shout of triumphant faith. The earlier cry of abandonment has now given way to a declaration of supreme confidence in God. In Matthew's account especially, we find evidence that these last words were less the last gasp of a Victim than the trumpet of a victorious Warrior King preparing to return home from battle. Anne Catherine's vision focuses on this militant aspect of Our Lord's death. The earth trembles beneath her Lord's advance, the saints of old are released from prison, and the ancient Enemy is at last utterly overthrown.Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!" And having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, and said, "Certainly this man was innocent!" And all the multitudes who assembled to see the sight, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. - Luke 23:46-48With excerpts from:The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich (https://bit.ly/3kaeP6l)The Mystical City of God by Ven. Mary of Agreda (https://bit.ly/3IhySaO)GET THE BOOK - The Passion: Reflections on the Suffering and Death of Jesus Christ by Paul Thigpen (https://bit.ly/3IiSNpM)
About LENT: 40 Reflections and Mystical Revelations on the Passion
Follow Christ on his journey to Calvary with 40 devotional reflections, meditations, prayers, and excerpts from the mystical visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich and Venerable Maria of Agreda. Watch with Jesus as He prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. Grieve beside Him as He stands trial. Climb with Him on the way to Golgotha. And mourn with His Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross. Contemplate the roles of Mary, Peter, Judas, Herod, Pilate, Simon the Cyrene, and Dismas the Good Thief . . . and, of course, Satan, whose hope of victory over Jesus is dashed in the end. LENT: 40 Reflections and Mystical Revelations on the Passion is written and compiled by Paul Thigpen and brought to you by TAN. For new episode notifications and to support this show and more great free content from TAN, visit LentPodcast.com to subscribe and use coupon code PASSION25 to get 25% Off your next order.
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