This Good Friday, our cardinal thoughtfully expressed the core teachings of Jesus. I was riveted. The cardinal spoke of authentic conversion of the heart and referenced St. Alphonsus Liguori. No conversion is built on fear rather it is rooted in love. These lessons are uncomfortable and unsettling. The cardinal answered who is “deserving” of unconditional love. Who is worthy, merited, valued, and should benefit? The gospel teaches that even the most undeserving are accepted. Grace is not transactional. During the passion, not even the most devout follower was exempt from being overcome with fear; the teachings of Christ denied in service to self preservation. The tragedy of passion week was the human inability to accept that we can not earn our path with a rigid rubric. So where do our transgressions lie? I think of when I have felt the most empty and disconnected. My failings show up when I am unable to see myself in others. Modern day has urged us to face each other with kindness no matter how abhorrent we can find each other. And when we are able to still commune with each other in spite of it all, we have found the light that we all seek.

EAP 4.4.2036

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