Promises Are True!, The

Happy Easter! When I pray, the first thing I always do is set my position. I proclaim that Jesus is my Savior and that I cannot save myself. I tell myself that I need the power of Jesus' resurrection to make it through my day. Then, I do a quick examination of conscience and repent of any sins that come to mind.

As I move on in prayer, I try to picture images that show me just how much Jesus loves us. Sometimes, I imagine myself standing in the midst of a fresh spring rain. I see myself being showered and soaked with God's blessings and grace. At other times, I imagine the sun shining on me or a cool breeze gently blowing over me. These images help me to grasp how much Jesus wants to be with me-and with all of us. All we have to do is go out into the rain or into the sunlight and receive everything that Jesus wants to give us.

During the Easter season, these images of God's boundless love take on a special meaning as I meditate on passages such as, "Nothing can separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:38); or "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). These promises tell me that Jesus is with us-every day, every hour, every second. They tell me that we are covered by his love all the time. They tell me that we can have a vibrant relationship with Jesus.

Prior to my conversion, I was a good Catholic, but I didn't know the love that Jesus had for me. I didn't really know what he did for me on the cross. I didn't know him as a friend or even as a real person. My faith was wrapped up in being good and trying hard. But then in May of 1971, my eyes were opened, and Jesus revealed himself to me. That's when the promises of Easter became my life's treasure.

Come into the Light. I share these thoughts with you because I am convinced that Jesus wants all of us to know his boundless love just as surely as we experience the warmth of the sun or the refreshment of a spring rain. Jesus has opened up a new way of life for all of us-a life that is grounded in his unfailing love.

This Easter issue of The Word Among Us is focused on the new life that is available to us. In our articles, we talk about how 'Jesus' words have the power to heal our wounds and transform us into a people set apart for him. We also talk about Jesus' ability to calm any storm in our lives. And finally, we examine what it feels like to "see" the risen Jesus with our spiritual eyes.

This issue is less of a "how-to" issue and more of a reflection on Scripture. We wanted to offer some encouragement from the word of God, emphasizing what Jesus has already done for us rather than what we must do for him. So much can happen as we step into the light of the risen Christ and let him guide us!

So as you reflect on the glory and the majesty of Easter, be open to the Lord. Receive his light and let it shine all over you. May God bless you.

Joe Difato

Publisher

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Copyright Word Among Us Apr 2005
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