THE ROAD TO RESURRECTION: FREEDOM THROUGH CHRIST

 

TODAY IS EASTER.  And more than just a holiday, more than just a date on the calendar — it is the day everything changed. Because on this day, death lost its sting, sin lost its grip, and the grave lost its claim. The Son of God walked a road marked by betrayal, suffering, and sacrifice — and He did it for one reason: to set you and me free. Not free in part, but fully free. Free from sin. Free from shame. Free from fear. Free from death. 

The cross was not the end. The tomb wasn’t the final word. Because Jesus rose, and because He lives, you and I can live — truly live. Today, we walk with Him through that journey — from the shouts of ‘Hosanna’ to the cry of ‘It is finished,’ all the way to the empty tomb — and we remember what it cost to set us free.

Timeline to Easter

Jesus followed a timeline to Easter: 

- From Palm Sunday

- Through the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday

- To the agony of obedience in the Garden of Gethsemane

- Followed by the humiliation of trial, imprisonment and torture

- Culminating in the agony of crucifixion and death

- Proceeding to the victorious emptying of satan's kingdom of all encaptured souls

- after which the glorious resurrection took place

From the Cross to the Commission: A Journey of Love, Surrender, and Victory

This week, we have walked a sacred path — one paved with palm branches and thorns, with tears and triumph. This journey is not just the story of Jesus — it is the story of our redemption. Each step He took was for love. Every moment was for us. Let us walk this path together and be reminded: We are not just forgiven. We are transformed. We are not just saved from something — we are saved for something.

Palm Sunday – The Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1–11)

Jesus enters Jerusalem not on a warhorse, but on a donkey — fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The crowd shouts, “Hosanna!” They see a King — and He is a King — but not the kind they expected.

Even in glory, Jesus was riding toward sacrifice. He knew what lay ahead. He knew the cheers would turn to jeers. But He kept riding — for you. For me. True courage is not avoiding the cross, but walking toward it in love.

The Last Supper – A New Covenant (Luke 22:14–20)

Around the table, Jesus broke bread and poured wine — and consecrated them into His body and blood. He speaks of a new covenant — not one of law and ritual, but of grace and relationship.

Jesus did not run from the cross; He embraced it. He offered Himself willingly. This meal was more than tradition — it was a declaration: “You are worth the price I’m about to pay.”

Gethsemane – The Agony of Obedience (Matthew 26:36–46)

In the quiet of the garden, Jesus fell to His knees. The weight of the world was crushing, but He did not run. He wrestled. He wept. And then — He surrendered: “Not My will, but Yours be done.”

Freedom was not won on the battlefield. It was won in a garden, where love said “yes” to suffering so that we could say “yes” to life. Obedience cost Him everything — and it gave us everything.

The Cross – Love’s Ultimate Price (Luke 23:33–46)

Nailed to a tree, between two criminals, Jesus hangs — not defeated, but victorious. He speaks forgiveness. He offers paradise. And with His final breath, He declares: “It is finished.”

Inspiration:

The cross wasn’t the end — it was the turning point. Our sin was nailed there. Our shame was silenced. The veil was torn — heaven’s doors flung wide open. Love paid the ultimate price, and we are the reward.

The Resurrection – Victory Over Death (Matthew 28:1–10

Three days later, the is rolled away. The tomb is empty. The grave could not hold Him. Death is defeated. Jesus is alive!

This is more than a comeback - it is a new creation. We are not just forgiven - we are made new. The resurrection is not just an event in history - it is a promise for eternity. And it lives in us.

The Commission – Go and Tell (Matthew 28:18–20)

With nail-scarred hands, Jesus sends His followers: “Go. Make disciples. Baptize. Teach. And remember — I am with you always.”

We are not just saved from sin — we are saved for purpose. You carry the light now. You carry the message. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. So go — and change the world.

As we remember this sacred journey — from the gates of Jerusalem to an empty tomb — may we not just stand in awe. May we walk with purpose. 

May we live as if the cross matters. 

May we love as if the tomb is empty, and Love in the Form of Jesus Christ walks the world.

 And may we go as if the commission is ours — because it is.

“Hosanna in the highest.”

“It is finished.”

“He is risen.”

“Now go.”

                                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfhTOV7DK_o

With thanks to youtube

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES. LINK TO THE BLESSED GROTTO

 

O ever immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort of the Afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. 

By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favours, and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal. 

I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence, to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the grant of my requests. I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day share your glory, and bless you in eternity. Amen.

If you wish to pray before the holy Grotto in this holy prayer chapel, click in the following link:

https://directfromlourdes.com/lourdes_live_tv

Image 'Mother Mary' courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle

With thanks to directfromlourdes.com

ST BLAISE BLESSING OF THE THROAT

 

Through the intercession of St Blaise, Bishop and martyr, may God deliver me from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

PRAYER FOR GOOD HUMOUR: A PRAYER BY ST THOMAS MORE

 

Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.

Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humour to maintain it.

Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good and that doesn't frighten easily at the sight of evil, but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.

Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called "I".

Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humour. Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy, and to be able to share it with others. 

Amen.

Image 'Prayer to Christ'  courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle

PRAYER IN HONOUR OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

 

Father God, You willed that Mary be at the foot of the cross, sharing in the sacrifice of Your Son.

Grant that through her intercession, we may bear within ourselves, the Image of Christ crucified and risen, and have untiring charity for the good of our brothers and sisters, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Image 'Mater Dolorosa'  courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle

PRAYER FOR ANXIOUS HEARTS

 

Heavenly Father, lately I've been so worried 

about things that are out of my control.

Help me to trust that You are working out 

every detail of my life and that 

I have nothing to fear or worry about.

This I pray, in Jesus' Name. 

Amen.

Image 'Prayer' courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle

PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

 

O most holy Heart of Jesus, Fountain of every blessing,

I adore You, I love You, and with a lively sorrow 

for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine. 

Make me humble, patient, pure, and 

wholly obedient to Your Will. 

Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You.

Protect me in the midst of danger; 

comfort me in my afflictions.

Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs,

Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.

Amen.

    Image 'Sacred Heart of Jesus'   courtesy of Freepik with CN Whittle