Two things you can do to increase Eucharistic reverence
Sunday is coming
Photo by Francesco Alberti on Unsplash
“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachtani?’ (which means, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’….and when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.” (Matthew 27:45, 50)
We all like to be fans of something. When a team, such as the Alabama Crimson Tide football team, begins winning national championship after national championship, there begins to be a wave of band wagon fans. There are those that want to be part of the winning team so they become fans of the team that is always winning.
The same is true for musical artists. When a musician reaches the top of the billboards consistently, suddenly fans are paying in the hundreds of dollars to see a concert. Then suddenly, the national championships end, and the top songs go silent. The band wagon fans find a new team to cheer on and a new artist to sing with during the morning commute. The loyal fans remain and cheer despite the losses. There will always be those loyal fans that will cheer and sing at the top of their lungs.
Imagine the disciples on Friday. They have witnessed Jesus walking on water, raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, healing the sick, feeding the thousands with just a few fish and bread, and calming the storms. They were loyal disciples that were now confused, scared, and discouraged. Perhaps they were holding their breath waiting for him to come off the cross.
But he died…. He was dead and now they were not sure what to think. He was the Messiah. They were convinced He was the one that was going to save them. But now…he was dead. The Romans killed him and it’s all over. It’s finished.
Little did they know that Sunday was coming for them and for the world.
We all go through our own “Good Friday” times in life. We endure life’s situations and circumstances that leave us confused, scared, and discouraged. We pray, but God seems silent. We read Scripture, but God seems far away from us. Everything around us seems dark and hopeless.
But your Sunday is coming…..
Recommended Stories
About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
