Christ is Risen!
This day is one of incredible gratitude and humility as we reflect on our Lord's sacrifice and most Holy Salvation. It is a joyous time for Christians across the globe and those a part of the Notre Dame family.
One thing that I have adhered to this past Lenten season was beginning to read the entire Bible over the next year, chronologically and with the help of a free app, in order to refocus my life on His Word and His purpose for me.
Now, these past forty days have brought me to the Book of Numbers and it has been a rough journey. It hasn't been physically hard or mentally grueling; although I have been spiritually pulled in different directions and quarantine does not help a contemplative mind.
One of the more pathetic things I discovered about myself was that some days, even though it is only a few minutes out of my day, I did not read any scripture. I completely forgot or pushed back my promise and enjoyed more temporary entertainment. Other days, I overcompensated and read several days' readings in hopes of getting back on track. But what I failed to realize was that the purpose of this Lenten promise was not found in any competition.
Instead, it was a rededication and refocusing.
Days when I lost sight of this, my priorities were most likely homework or thirty minutes more sleep or endless YouTube videos. Days where I overcompensated, guilty pangs poked at my spirit pushing me to work in a procrastination blitz of sorts. Yet each day, regardless of whether or not I read, the one thing I did realize was that I am human.
I am human.
Simple, predictable, selfish, worried, near-sighted, and flawed above all.
I am a firm believer that there is also "nothing new under the sun". With that, I am also not the first person to bear these mundane characteristics.
I think about this some days, especially Holy Days because it reminds me that just as Jesus was crucified for the sins of those two thousand years ago, He, too, was crucified for my sins - those I have committed and those I yet to. It's a reminder that He died for me, imperfectly perfect, as well as every person that ever has and ever will walk this Earth.
So while these times we are living in are unlike any we have known, we should remain hopeful as His Resurrection brings us all salvation and hope for everlasting life.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." - 1 Peter 1:3
Happy Easter! Stay safe and blessed!