John 3:16. It’s on the bottom of my In-N-Out fry dish and soda cup. It’s also on the bottom of my Forever 21 bag. It was written on Tim Tebow’s eye black during some of the most important football games he ever played, and it is probably the most well-known Scripture verse in the world. As I read today's Gospel, I recall the song I was taught as a child, a song that you may know—cue music—“For God so loved the world, He gave His only son . . . ” (John 3:16). I find myself moved to reflect on different parts of this Gospel each time I hear it, and today I am struck by the word "whoever." "Whoever believes in him will not be condemned . . ." (John 3:18). Today I am reminded of the people I love who do not believe in Jesus Christ, who are not part of this "whoever." And I am motivated in a brand-new way to pray for them with fervor. Perhaps there are people you love who do not know or believe in Jesus. Today I invite you to pray for them by name, to pray that they come to the knowledge and belief that John 3:16 was for them. I challenge you, on this day, to pray for them—then to let them know that you are. "I'm praying for you today!" Send it in a text, in an e-mail, or say it out loud. One little sentence, one small step in evangelization, can bring more beautiful souls into that gathering of those who believe. [bctt tweet="I challenge you, on this day, to pray for them—then to let them know that you are." username="emwilss"] Do you know about praying this prayer for the conversion of hearts? Emily Wilson-Hussem planned her whole life to become a sports reporter but turned out to be a Catholic musician and speaker at the hand of God. She lives out of her suitcase and travels across the world speaking to people of all ages. The heart of her ministry is offering encouragement to teen girls in search of their true identity, and she loves every second of it. She is the author of I Choose the Sky and Go Bravely. You can find out more about her here.

My children are absolutely terrible housemates. They never clean up their messes before going on to making more. They don’t make any meals, sort any laundry, contribute in any way financially to the home, and yet, I am perpetually in service to them. I know that if I actually actively thought of them this way, it would be incredibly hard to serve them. But the truth is, I love them despite what they can do or provide. I love and serve them because they are children of God placed in my close circle of care and due to their mere existence, they deserve the love that I am able to give. It’s interesting, isn’t it? When we meet someone new we ask them what they do. It might not be our intention, but our world naturally focuses on what someone can do for others. It asks, what do you contribute to society? But as Christians we are called to see and trust in something and someone beyond our comprehension and to love those who are near and far from us simply because of their status as creation of the Creator. In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes” (John 3:8). We do not know the why, or where from, or where to of the Holy Spirit, but we do not need to know all the details. We just need to trust that the Lord is calling us to live the Christian life of charity and love all those held within the realm of creation because we love God from Whom all creation flows. Be it the poor who have no monetary gift to offer, or the friend who is suffering and cannot offer you emotional support, or the marginalized who do not speak the language of Christianity that you know so well, or the child who asks for the tenth time this hour for help of some kind, we are called to love all of them. [bctt tweet="We just need to trust that the Lord is calling us to live the Christian life of charity and love all those held within the realm of creation because we love God from Whom all creation flows." username="jacquiskemp"] This Saint for the day implemented sweeping reforms with love for all. Jacqueline Skemp is a daughter, sister, wife, and mother who endures living in Minnesota after leaving California for her one true love. You can find out more about her here.

I cannot remember much about my baptism. I was older; it was after Christmas just past my sixth birthday. It took place at a Protestant church where I wore a green velvet dress, matching my little sister. Two decades later I came into the Catholic Church, and while I was confirmed again, I was not re-baptized. As Catholics we believe a trinitarian Baptism is our spiritual birth and therefore, cannot happen twice. Our baptism transforms us opening a door to grace and allowing us to enter into the other Sacraments and gifts the Church gives us. Today’s Gospel reading (John 3:1-8) tells of Nicodemus, a law-abiding Pharisee who’s boggled by the concept of re-birth. Immediately he questions Jesus about how that can be. His thinking is stuck within the confines of our physical nature, and his response speaks of his inability to move past the physical world into the spiritual. I’m guessing many of you like me don’t recall your actual baptismal day. Perhaps there are pictures to mark the occasion, maybe it’s marked as a special day on the calendar. The main transformation goes much deeper than what a photo can capture, what is physically seen. Our souls are inscribed with God’s mark, allowing for an active opening of ourselves to the life of grace, and inviting the Holy Spirit to do His work. Later in the Gospel story, Nicodemus comes alongside Joseph of Arimathea as together they have the privilege to tend to Jesus’ body after His death on the Cross. He took what Jesus said to heart and was changed, and now he is honored as a Saint. Continually being receptive of the Holy Spirit is not for the faint of heart. It’s outside of the physical realm that we can see and touch. The Scripture tells us, “The wind blows where it will . . . but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes” (John 3:8). But we do know God is good, and we can have courage to trust the Holy Spirit to take action in our lives. [bctt tweet="Our souls are inscribed with God’s mark, allowing for an active opening of ourselves to the life of grace, and inviting the Holy Spirit to do His work." username="blessedisshe__"] Here is a little further reading on Nicodemus. Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to four boys while living in a 200 year old farmhouse. When not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, or snagging amazing antique furniture deals. You can find out more about her here.

I have a bad habit of believing that if anything is going to get done, I have to make it happen on my own, by my own strength and my own power. This simply is not true and can keep me closed to God’s work in my life. It is a way that my actions, like Saint Thomas, say “I will not believe.” Ultimately this false way of thinking keeps me from trusting and surrendering to God’s mercy. Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday and Saint Faustina has written some beautiful words in her Diary. “All grace flows from mercy . . . even if a person's sins were as dark as night, God's mercy is stronger than our misery. One thing alone is necessary: that the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God's merciful grace, and then God will do the rest." (Diary of Saint Faustina, entry 1507 (source). If we open our hearts, just a little, even a tiny crack, God's light can shine in and He can work marvels of transformation within us. The beauty of today’s Gospel furthermore shows that even locked doors, and closed hearts as well, are no match for Jesus. Even though the doors were locked where the Apostles were gathered, Jesus enters and offers His peace. Jesus can likewise enter our hearts and give us His peace and mercy so we may no longer be "unbelieving but believe." Perhaps today we can open our hearts, even just a little, to Jesus and His mercy. And if not, even if our hearts remain closed and locked, perhaps we can allow Him to come in anyway to encounter us and show us His wounds and His love. Let Him in, sisters. He is good. You can trust Him. [bctt tweet="Let Him in, sisters. He is good. You can trust Him." username="blessedisshe__"] Try praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet. It takes less than ten minutes! Mary Catherine Craige enjoys spending her time writing, making music and learning about life from her experiences of learning to surf. As a life coach, she supports women especially in times of transition to discover who they truly are and to design their life using their gifts and talents to live fully alive as the person God has created them to be. You can find out more about her here.

Have you ever had an experience that was so powerful or meaningful to you, that you couldn't wait to tell other people about it? I felt that way the first time I held my baby nephew the day he was born. My hands and heart could barely contain his sweet little snorts and soft fingertips. My sister had waited so long for this day, and we all rejoiced with her. I felt this way again when I returned home from my first World Youth Day pilgrimage in Australia. The powerful prayers, the team spirit, and hearing the Pope’s preaching left me renewed in my faith. We all have beautiful experiences that we're just bursting to share and tell others all about. What must it have been like for Mary Magdalene when Jesus first appeared to her in His resurrected glory? I love to imagine that scene playing out! What did Jesus say to her? What was her reaction? What was the exchange of words between the two of them? That Resurrection Sunday, Mary had a powerful, life-altering experience of meeting the risen Jesus. She had an encounter that led her to go and tell all the others. Our personal encounters with Jesus give us inspiration to go and share with other people, right now, right here, in the places where God has us planted. Where in your life have you experienced Jesus active, real, and present? Our life experiences help us to give witness to the power and goodness of a God active and present in every area of our lives. Look at where you are now, the spaces in which God has placed you today and throughout your lifetime. Be on the lookout for little opportunities to go and tell. [bctt tweet="Be on the lookout for little opportunities to go and tell." username="amoderngrace"] Did you know the full story on Mary Magdalene? Patty Breen is a full-time lay minister who finds joy in running, strong cups of coffee, and all things Ignatian spirituality. A Midwestern gal from the mitten state, she is constantly learning to find grace in all things. She is passionate about ministry, writing, a great lipstick color, and smiling is her favorite. Find out more about her here.

"It is the Lord" (John 21:7). This might be my favorite descriptor in all of Scripture: Saint Peter, here, in the Gospel of John, "tucking in his garments, for he was lightly clad" and leaping headlong into the sea for his Lord, his love. The same Peter who almost drowned the first time he tried hopping out of his boat to get to Jesus. The same Peter who'd only recently denied Him thrice on the eve of His trial and crucifixion. The same Peter who, apparently after three entire years of ministry and miracles, had taken up fishing again. And not the kind God had had in mind. Was Peter brokenhearted after his denial of Jesus? Almost certainly. Was he feeling unworthy of the call that he had received, unsure how to proceed after the horrific events at Calvary? I'm guessing yes, very possibly. And yet here is Peter with his big lover's heart, leaping into the boat, soaking his garments, running to Jesus with reckless abandon when he realizes to Whom he speaks. I can scarcely imagine what that might have felt like, the frantic joy and the anxiety he must have felt realizing that here it was: his second chance. He didn't let guilt or shame or disappointment hold him back. Knowing fully who he was and what he'd done, he tucked in his garments and jumped into the sea. It was Jesus. Nothing else mattered. Don't ever let shame, fear, or guilt keep you from acting on this kind of reckless love, sister. He longs to meet you and welcome you back with open arms, just as He welcomed Peter that morning on that beach, all those years ago. [bctt tweet="Don't ever let shame, fear, or guilt keep you from acting on this kind of reckless love, sister." username="jkuebbing"] If it's been a while since you went to the Sacrament of Confession, here's a quick primer. Jenny Uebbing is a wife, mother to five, and the author of the blog Mama Needs Coffee where she writes about sex, marriage, and the Catholic Church. She's a freelance writer, a speaker, and an espresso enthusiast. You can find out more about her here.

“Peace be with you.” Can you hear our Risen Lord tenderly speaking these words to you today? The Word Made Flesh Who dwells among us, stands in our midst, and gently questions, “Why are you troubled? Why do questions arise in your hearts?” Do you hear His desire? He longs for us to relate to Him the questions that we have. And, sisters, I hear a chorus of questions rising from our hearts with such love: Jesus, where do You want me to serve? Jesus, how are You making my life fruitful? Jesus, why does my heart ache so deeply? Jesus, why won’t You take away this weakness? Jesus, why did she die? Jesus, when will his suffering end? Jesus, why do I feel so homesick? Jesus, when are You going to fulfill these desires You have placed so deeply in my heart? And Jesus is standing here before us, inviting us to look at His hands and His feet. What do you see? Jesus shows us His hands: gloriously wounded, open to receive our hearts, and reaching out for our trust and surrender. Jesus shows us His feet: washed clean by His Resurrection and ready to accompany us on our path to holiness. Sisters, the Risen Jesus desires to fill our hearts with joy this Easter season! He wants to surprise us and amaze us with delight. Christ longs to reveal Himself to us in a deeper way today. Let’s come to Him in prayer, bringing the questions in our hearts so that we can open ourselves more fully to His merciful love. [bctt tweet="Sisters, the Risen Jesus desires to fill our hearts with joy this Easter season!" username="blessedisshe__"] Have you seen these Catholic meanings behind Easter flowers? Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. You can find out more about her here. She is the author of our Blessed Conversations: Ways to Pray study found here.

“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” In today's Gospel, Jesus walks with two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus, and as they discuss their pain and confusion, the Risen Jesus, in His tender way enters into their conversation. Jesus is aware of the “things that have taken place” and yet He asks them, “What sort of things?” He wants them to share their hearts with Him, and as they do, He listens to each word. Then He powerfully shares with them the Word and reveals Himself to them in the simple breaking of bread. Sisters, Jesus knows you intimately. He knows every fear, every doubt, and every desire that is in your heart. Still He walks with you and He asks you the same question that He asked His disciples that day. What sort of things are going on in your heart? Share them all with Him, whether big or small, joys or sorrows, give them to Him and allow Him to reveal Himself to you. The Risen Jesus wants to be invited to walk alongside you as you clean your house, as you share a meal with another, as you go about all the ordinary duties that life requires. Allow Him to remind you that wherever you invite Him becomes sacred ground. Remember, just as His beloved disciples recognized Him in the simple breaking of bread, you can recognize His holy Presence in the simplicity of your day. He is with you. [bctt tweet="He is with you." username="blessedisshe__"] It's not too late to join us in our Easter book on how to live the 50 days of Easter, Risen. Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy dedicated to spreading Marian Consecration and the beauty of Christ's abundant Mercy. She enjoys finding the miracles in the mess of family life, books, strong coffee, and encountering others wherever they're at in this blessed journey to sainthood. You can find out more about her here.

I have always loved this Gospel because I have always enjoyed reflecting on the tenderness and compassion with which Jesus must have spoken her name. “Mary." He is precisely aware of what Mary Magdalene is feeling—she is drowning in grief after all she witnessed on Good Friday. I have placed myself in this scene in prayer over and over again, imagining their conversation, imagining the way Jesus spoke her name, and imagining the way Mary’s expression must have changed instantaneously upon recognizing Who was standing before her. Envision the way her face must have changed from devastation and sorrow to radiance and peace at the sound of that one word. “Mary." When he calls her name, she knows Who He is. And when He calls her by name, not only does she know Who He is, she knows who she is, too. We remember our identity when we hear the voice of the Lord call us by name. That is my prayer for you today—that you would hear the voice of Jesus Christ call your name, with the same gentleness and mercy with which He spoke Mary’s name. Take a few moments to imagine yourself in the garden with the Lord, and hear Him say that one word. Hear Him speak the name you have heard hundreds of thousands of times—take a moment to hear it again, in a new way, from the mouth of the Christ Who knows you and loves you. He invites you to know Him and love Him, too. In that moment, when Jesus speaks, listen closely and let it sink into your soul—because in that one word, He doesn't just speak your name. He speaks who you are . . . known, loved, and His. [bctt tweet="We remember our identity when we hear the voice of the Lord call us by name." username="emwilss"] Do you know all the names of Jesus? Emily Wilson-Hussem planned her whole life to become a sports reporter but turned out to be a Catholic musician and speaker at the hand of God. She lives out of her suitcase and travels across the world speaking to people of all ages. The heart of her ministry is offering encouragement to teen girls in search of their true identity, and she loves every second of it. She is the author of I Choose the Sky and Go Bravely. You can find out more about her here.

For the first sixty-one minutes of our son’s life he was without a pulse. It was only when the doctors stopped working on him to call time of death that his heart began to beat. My son should have died from massive organ failure in the hours or days that followed. At best, today he should be dependent on machines and medicine to thrive or just survive. Instead he goes to school, rides a bike, and cooks his own breakfast sausage. People hear our story and many are amazed, but there are plenty who don’t believe that our son is a miracle. In comment boxes they demand to see medical records. They tell me that science will one day be able to explain what happened. They make up facts, desperate for an explanation. So those chief priest and elders in the Gospel, I know them and I know what they’re about. (See Matthew 28:11-15.) They cannot believe that Jesus has risen because to do so would be to change everything they hold dear. Their world and beliefs would crumble around them and they’d be forced to believe in the very thing they had fought against. Almighty God raised my son from the dead. But greater still is the fact “that God raised this Jesus” from the dead. (See Acts 2:32.) I know this is true even without medical records or photographs. The proof I need is in Saint Peter who stands before all who will listen and, with a new boldness, proclaims the Gospel with joy and conviction. We can choose to live in fear and lies like the elders but I want to live a life of joy that proclaims the Good News like Saint Peter. Don't you, sister? [bctt tweet="We can choose to live in fear and lies like the elders but I want to live a life of joy that proclaims the Good News like Saint Peter. Don't you, sister?" username="BonnieEngstrom"] Are you already familiar with Venerable Fulton Sheen? Find out more about his cause here. Bonnie Engstrom is a writer, baker, speaker, and homemaker. She, her husband, and seven children live in central Illinois, and her son’s alleged miraculous healing through the intercession of Venerable Fulton Sheen was submitted to the Vatican for Sheen’s beatification. Bonnie pretends she has a green thumb, bakes a fantastic chocolate chip cookie, loves naps and chai tea, and blogs. You can find out more about her here. She is the author of the Blessed Conversations Mystery: Believe study found here.

The Resurrection is here, sisters. The long-awaited light. Is it illuminating your world today? Or does jubilation feel like a spiritual mismatch as you continue to fight some darkness? Here’s the thing about resurrection: it’s easy to cradle its hope in hindsight. But we who have the benefit of hindsight forget the reality of Christ’s Resurrection for those who actually witnessed it. Christ’s followers spent sleepless nights after Calvary cloaked in grief, wracked with the guilt of betrayal, filled with confusion and overwhelm. Christ had personally promised to destroy death and rise on the third day, but in the aftermath of His brutal passion, any thought of His rising was beyond their comprehension. In the twilight of Easter, Mary Magdalene crept to the tomb, not with the hope of meeting the Living Christ, but with the certainty of tending to His remains. She who had intimately experienced His miracles and healing still struggled to overcome the blindness of grief, the impossibility of hope in human terms—even as she stood face-to-face with the resurrected Christ. The disbelieving disciples running to the tomb still had to overcome their fear and accept the truth despite the proof. And even when they courageously began to live in truth of the Resurrection, their suffering didn’t end. Yet neither did their joy. On the contrary, they weathered mini-Calvarys of suffering and persecution—even martyrdom—with the help of the grace they received through Christ’s Resurrection and a deeply-infused trust in the ultimate resurrection of the body when Christ comes again at the end of time. (See Catechism of the Catholic Church 1002.) Our life, too, is a series of mini Calvarys and resurrections. Our spiritual seasons won’t always match liturgical seasons. We might doubt the possibility of resurrection for our circumstances in human terms—and we might initially be clouded with doubt and confusion even when we meet He Who did arise face-to-face. But to live in the truth of Jesus' Resurrection today means holding fast with faith to God’s promises, even in the darkness or haze of spiritual twilight. In uniting every small cross and consolation to Christ’s great Cross, we participate in His Resurrection. We are infused with the hope of final resurrection of our bodies—when every earthly cross will be swallowed up by eternal joy. Happy Easter, sisters. [bctt tweet="In uniting every small cross and consolation to Christ’s great Cross, we participate in His Resurrection. We are infused with the hope of final resurrection of our bodies—when every earthly cross will be swallowed up by eternal joy." username="PosImperfect"] This Alleluia and Adoration video will lift your heart this Easter morning! Megan Hjelmstad is a wife and mom 24/7 and an Army Reservist in her “spare” time. She is the Stories Manager for the Blessed is She Instagram account. She’s a bibliophile, tea drinker, sleep lover, and avid admirer of Colorado’s great outdoors. When the writing bug hits, you can find out more about her here.

We've carried much with us this Lent, sisters: the repetitive sins we can't seem to shake, strained relationships in need of healing, nagging hurts from the past, and persistent fears for the future. Do you ever feel like Lent is an intensely vulnerable time, with your heart exposed to all those places where woundedness resides? I feel that way, too. And now here we are on the vigil of Easter, the Scripture from today still on our hearts and the sting of Good Friday at our heels. We're walking in the footsteps of Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and James' mother, Mary. Will you close your eyes with me and imagine yourself at daybreak in Jerusalem? You awaken with the memory of your dear friend's death just days earlier. You do the only thing you know to do when faced with such sorrow—load your arms heavy with burial spices and go to see where they have lain Him. Can you imagine the tomb's entrance, stone rolled away? Does your grief give way to fear of where Jesus might be, or excitement that He might have done exactly what He promised? Can you imagine stepping inside the dim light of the tomb and gingerly touching the burial shroud that once held your best friend? Do you let the words of the angels seep into your heart to give you hope? "He is not here, but he has been raised" (Luke 24:6). Can you see yourself running back to your friends, breathless and exuberant, telling them what you saw at the tomb? Can you picture your friend Peter's face as the hope rises in him, too? Sisters, just as our Lord gave consolation to those beautiful and holy women, He desires the same for us. All of the burdens of this Lent, all of the struggles that occupy the corners of our hearts and sometimes leave little room for hope—these are the things our Lord desires for us to leave at the tomb's entrance. I'm leaving mine there—will you join me? [bctt tweet="All of the burdens of this Lent, all of the struggles that occupy the corners of our hearts and sometimes leave little room for hope—these are the things our Lord desires for us to leave at the tomb's entrance." username="blessedisshe__"] This brief section of the Catechism offers a full examination of the meaning of Jesus' burial. Karen Schultz hails from the Land of 10,000 lakes, where she is often found in or near one of them. As a doula, lactation educator, and FertilityCare Practitioner, she finds joy in helping women to embrace the gift of their bodies. Downtime is found in quiet adoration chapels, farmers markets and gardens, listening to bluegrass music, and embracing the diversity of Minnesota’s seasons. You can find out more about her here.

Betrayals can level us. They can shatter images of friendship, ideals, self or the very image we had of God. They evoke heart-wrenching questions and grief. And if they are still unhealed, just thinking of betrayals can cause us to viscerally experience the shattering anew. The pain of betrayal knocks the wind out of us, and this is more true when we are betrayed by someone we love and who we believed loved us back. Yet something astounding happens amid this turmoil—our lives continue. Moments pile into a day, days into a week, and our lives continue on. There is a mysterious, unassuming tenacity to hope that lives beneath the rubble. This tenacious hope is Spirit-filled. God has placed this power in the depths of every human heart, and it is tangible in sacred readings today. The readings call us to unite with the Church to look upon our most cruelly betrayed Lord. They invite us to be aware of the darkness that confronts us both from within and from outside as we too, through sin, cry out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (John 19:6) We encounter the depths of darkness and the unfathomable heights of love in these Good Friday readings. Christ looks into our hearts today—these hearts that are so easily envious and so willing to betray Good—and unafraid of the evil tendencies, He simply and confidently calls us to life by the power of His Cross. Will we come to Him as He calls? Will we be courageous enough to receive the gifts of humility and hope to approach the One Who held nothing back for the sake of love? Will we lay down our lives with Him to allow Him to be Lord? If we are willing, the Liturgy today will renew our hope in our redemption, the promise of the One Who is the Love and Light of the World. [bctt tweet="If we are willing, the Liturgy today will renew our hope in our redemption, the promise of the One Who is the Love and Light of the World." username="SrMariaKim"] Meditate on the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross today. Sister Maria Kim Bui is a Daughter of Saint Paul, women religious dedicated to evangelization in and through the media. She is originally from Tempe, AZ, spent most of her fourteen years in religious life in the northeast, some time in Texas, and now was recently asked to serve as the director of marketing and sales at the Sisters' publishing house in Boston. Find out more about her here. She is the author of our Blessed Conversations Mystery: Belong found here.

“He loved his own in the world and He loved them to the end” (John 13:1). I’ve been contemplating this Scripture passage through the Blessed is She lent devotional, To the End. It reminds me of my mom as her passing is still fresh on my mind and heart. She spent her life serving others. As a mother of nine that was expected, but it went further than that. She had a servant's heart that went beyond her family. I could easily picture her picking up a basin of water and washing feet. It was Christ-like love in action. As her cancer spread, my mom could no longer be physically active and had to rely on other people. I could hear her voice in Peter’s words, “You will never wash my feet!” Like Peter, my mom had to humble herself and allow someone to care for her. I witnessed two sides of humility—giving of oneself to the service of others and humbling oneself to allow someone to care for you. These are powerful lessons that Jesus is conveying to us and the timing makes it even more meaningful. When I sat by my mom’s bedside, I knew these were the last days I would spend with her on this earth. Her words and final lessons became more important because they were her last instructions. Keeping this in mind, I look at today’s Scripture from the same perspective. Jesus knows He is going to die. These are His last moments to speak to the Apostles and bring home the lessons He wants them to learn. Humbling Himself, He did more than wash their feet. He prepared to give up His life and established the Holy Eucharist so that all of us would never be without Him. Jesus loved and gave of Himself to the end. As we enter the Triduum, whether our Lent went well or poorly, let’s walk with Jesus in His Passion all the way to the end. Let’s focus on His willingness to humble Himself completely, because He loves us that much. He wants to save us and bring us to new life. [bctt tweet="Jesus loved and gave of Himself to the end." username="bobbi_rol"] Does your parish do the traditional washing of the feet? Read a little on the reasons behind the tradition. Bobbi Rol is a wife, mama and blogger living on the Monterey Bay in CA with her husband, teen daughter, and three rambunctious boys. When she is not dodging light sabers or stepping on Legos, she can be found outside with her family, catching a late night movie, or decorating her planner. You can find out more about her here.

Sometimes, I shudder at the words that came out of Judas’ mouth when he asked the chief priests, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” (Matthew 26:15) His words seem so heartless for someone with such an intimate relationship with Christ. He journeyed with Him everywhere, sleeping, and eating alongside Him. He witnessed countless miracles and was deeply loved by Christ, and still these words escaped his lips. So what happened? What moment convinced Judas that Christ was not the Messiah? Or even worse, knowing that He was the Messiah, what motivated him to hand Christ over to His death? To find greater value in thirty pieces of silver (the equivalent of about five weeks of work) than eternal life with God is unthinkable. Compare this to the value Mary Magdalene placed on the Body of Christ a few verses earlier. (See Matthew 26:6-12.) Mary poured more than costly oil on the Body of Christ; she poured out her entire life. The value Mary placed on Jesus’ body (300 denarii or 300 days wages) silently proclaimed the value she placed in her salvation: priceless. What value do we place on our salvation? How are we preparing our soul for eternal life? If we’re being honest, we’re probably more like Judas and less like Mary regarding what's valuable in our lives. We betray the Lord by sinning for far fewer than thirty pieces of silver with our choices, actions, and words. We choose this world over the Kingdom God has prepared for us time and time again. “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” (Matthew 26:22) It is you and it is me! And yet He still allowed soldiers to beat Him and crowds to spit in His face, all the while continuing to love us. As we prepare to enter into the Triduum, take time and ask what value you place on your relationship with Christ. Is your eternal salvation worth what it will cost you? It was worth it to Him. [bctt tweet="As we prepare to enter into the Triduum, take time and ask what value you place on your relationship with Christ and your salvation. How you answer might change how you view your resurrection." username="SoCalTriciaT"] Did you catch this blog post from last year on Saints to turn to in times of betrayal? Tricia Tembreull is a California girl with a boundless passion for life. After two decades of ministering to teens and youth ministers as a trainer, ministry mentor, and speaker in Catholic youth ministry, Tricia now serves as Campus Minister at USC Caruso Catholic Center. She loves adventure and seeks it everywhere she goes. As an avid foodie, she enjoys testing new recipes out on friends and family, gathering them around the table to encounter Christ in one another and be drawn to the satisfying unity we crave in the Eucharist. You can find out more about her here.

"One of you will betray me" (John 13:21). The story is shocking, just as ever now as it was the first time we heard it. Betrayed with a kiss, the Lord of Lords was handed over. As we close in on the end of Holy Week, it’s good to turn this story over and over in our minds once more. What I find particularly striking is the reminder of just how much Jesus values our human freedom, and what that says about His love for us. Judas was able to be friend and follower, but also foe—because of love, and because true love sets us free. So free, in fact, that we can abandon Him. But, Jesus, how that makes me love You more. I want to take the time to bask a little in this heart of Christ. The one that takes us as we are and wants so deeply to be loved by us. If He permits our freedom to intentionally choose Him, how much more can we entrust ourselves to His loving care? And if He loved Judas even as he betrayed Him, how totally astounding His love for you and me must be. He will not force Himself on us, and He doesn’t demand our fidelty. But there He stands, arms stretched out. A free gift of love even in our most pitiful state, even when we don’t want it. I want to resolve, once again, with the help of our Most Blessed Mother, to walk freely into the arms of her Son and Savior, into the arms of Love. [bctt tweet="I want to resolve, once again, with the help of our Most Blessed Mother, to walk freely into the arms of her Son and Savior, into the arms of Love." username="blessedisshe__"] Tune into these Benedictine nuns for Holy Week chant. Blythe Fike is the wife of Kirby and mother of 8 smallish kids. She loves the quiet life in small town SoCal. You can find out more about her here.

Distractions. To-do lists. Comparisons. Hungry children. Squabbles. Self-imposed doubts. Self-imposed standards. Interruptions. Unmet expectations. A child trying a new instrument. Deadlines. And yet all I can think about (besides the above list of everyday distractions) is Martha. Not Jesus, exactly, but Martha. (Sorry, Lord, I know this week should be about You and Your Passion. Forgive me for my distraction.) Martha, dear Martha, so busy with serving. Martha, rebuked by Jesus in the past (Luke 10:38-41) for worrying about too many things. Martha, the woman I might silently shame today if I’d been there. This woman is still serving Jesus while her sister, again, takes on a more contemplative role (literally) at Jesus’ feet. How good of Mary to sit and listen at Jesus’ feet. How humble of Mary to anoint Jesus’ feet with this most precious of oils. Yet it’s Martha I cannot stop thinking about, because it’s servant-Martha in whom I see myself. So busy. Always with something to do in my home, rarely without some task to attend to. Too often frazzled. Definitely meeting the very present needs of the people in my midst, knowing Jesus waits nearby . . . yet I’m not present to Him. And this very week, when He wants me to draw near . . . will I? I’m pondering Martha and her walk with Christ. She’s been transformed by time with the Lord. Instead of bustling about anxious and frustrated, I see a woman living courageously in her calling: joyful service. I see Martha at peace, allowing Jesus to be at peace in her home, while Mary anoints His feet. Maybe she seems “in the background,” but Saint John found her serving here worthy of mentioning. It must be for a reason. I’m still pondering the lesson, but I will draw near to Christ like Martha did. I want the same transformation I see in her: one that gave her peace in her duties and made her more like our Savior. [bctt tweet="I will draw near to Christ like Martha did. I want the same transformation I see in her: one that gave her peace in her duties and made her more like our Savior." username="blessedisshe__"] Are you familiar with this Dutch artist's rendition of Christ's visit? Gina Fensterer is a Colorado native at heart, but the West Coast beach life suits her just fine. She currently lives in small coastal area of California with her husband and six children. She loves the Jesus prayer, coffee at any time of day, homemade salsa, photography, and sleepy toddler snuggles. You can find out more about her here.