Christian Art | Reflections On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Pentecost
Matthew 28: 1-10 Audio Bible KJV
Reflections On The Love Of Jesus Christ |Resurrection Of Jesus
‘He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.’ (Matthew 28:6)
As I reflect on the love of Jesus Christ, I am drawn to the first glorious mystery, the resurrection of Jesus. In Matthew 28:6, the angel said to the women at the tomb: ‘He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.’ The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, for it is through his death and resurrection that we have been saved.
As I meditate on the resurrection, I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the power of God. Death could not hold Jesus down, for he was the Son of God, and in him was the power of life. In John 11:25, Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.’ Through his resurrection, Jesus has conquered death, and he has given us the hope of eternal life.
But the resurrection is more than just an historical event that happened long ago. It is a present reality that we experience in our lives today. In Romans 6:4, Saint Paul writes: ‘Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.’ Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we too can experience the power of his resurrection and walk in newness of life.
As I pray and reflect on the resurrection of Jesus, I am filled with gratitude and joy. I thank God for his great love for us, for sending his Son to die for our sins, and for raising Jesus from the dead so that we might have eternal life. I pray that I may always walk in the power of Jesus’ resurrection, and that I may be a witness to others of Jesus’ love and grace. Amen.
Reflections On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Ascension Of Jesus To Heaven
‘And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.’ (Luke 24:50-51)
As I reflect upon the love of Jesus Christ, I am drawn to the second glorious mystery, the Ascension of Jesus to heaven. In Acts 1:9, we read: ‘And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.’ The Ascension is a pivotal moment in the life of Christ, for it marks his return to the Father in heaven, and the fulfilment of Jesus’ mission on earth.
As I meditate on the Ascension, I am filled with a sense of wonder at the majesty of God. Jesus, who walked among us, who healed the sick and comforted the brokenhearted, has now returned to his rightful place at the right hand of the Father. In Ephesians 1:20-21, Saint Paul writes: ‘Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.’
But the Ascension is not just a moment of triumph for Jesus. It is also a moment of great promise for us. In John 14:2-3, Jesus says: ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ Through his Ascension, Jesus has opened the way for us to join him in heaven, and to share in Jesus’ glory for eternity.
As I pray and reflect on the Ascension of Jesus, I am filled with a sense of hope and longing for the day when I too will join him in heaven. I thank God for his great love for us, for sending his Son to redeem us, and for the promise of eternal life that we have in Jesus. I pray that I may always keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, and that I may live my life in a way that brings honour and glory to him. Amen.
Reflections On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Descent Of The Holy Spirit At Pentecost
‘And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’ (Acts 2:2-4)
As I reflect upon the love of Jesus Christ, I am drawn to the third glorious mystery, the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In Acts 2:1-4, we read: ‘And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’
As I meditate on the descent of the Holy Spirit, I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the power of God. The Holy Spirit, who is the third person of the Trinity, came upon the disciples with great power and authority, enabling them to preach the Gospel with boldness and clarity. In John 16:13, Jesus promised his disciples: ‘Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.’
But the descent of the Holy Spirit is not just a one-time event that happened long ago. It is a present reality that we can experience in our lives today. In Galatians 5:22-23, Saint Paul writes: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.’ Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live a life that is pleasing to God, and to bear fruit that will bring glory to God.
As I pray and reflect on the descent of the Holy Spirit, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and joy. I thank God for His great love for us, for sending His Spirit to dwell within us, and for the promise of His guidance and power in our lives. I pray that I may always be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and that I may bear fruit that will bring honour and glory to God. Amen.
Reflections On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Assumption Of Mary Into Heaven
‘And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.’ (Revelation 11:19)
As I reflect upon the love of Jesus Christ, I am drawn to the fourth glorious mystery, the Assumption of Mary into heaven. The Assumption is a deeply significant event in the Church, as it commemorates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken up into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life.
As I meditate on the Assumption, I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the great love that God has for Mary. Mary was the one who carried Jesus in her womb, who raised Jesus, and who stood by Jesus at the foot of the cross. In Luke 1:28, the angel Gabriel greets Mary, saying: ‘Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ Mary’s faith and devotion to God were an inspiration to all who knew her, and Mary’s Assumption into heaven is a sign of the special place that she holds in God’s plan of salvation.
But the Assumption is not only about Mary. It is also a reminder of the hope that we have as Christians. Just as Mary was taken up into heaven, so too do we hope to be taken up into the presence of God at the end of our lives. In John 14:2-3, Jesus says: ‘In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ The Assumption of Mary is a sign of the hope that we have in Christ, that through his death and resurrection, we too may be granted eternal life with God.
As I pray and reflect on the Assumption of Mary, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and hope. I thank God for the example of Mary, for her faith and devotion, and for the hope that her Assumption into heaven gives us. I pray that I may always be faithful to God’s will, and that through God’s grace, I too may one day join Mary and all the saints in the glory of heaven. Amen.
Reflections On The Love Of Jesus Christ | Coronation Of Mary As Queen Of Heaven
‘And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.’ (Revelation 12:1)
As I reflect upon the love of Jesus Christ, I am drawn to the fifth glorious mystery, the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven. This mystery celebrates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been crowned as Queen of Heaven, and reigns with her son, Jesus Christ, in the glory of God’s kingdom.
As I meditate on the Coronation of Mary, I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the great love that God has for Mary. Mary played a central role in God’s plan of salvation, and Mary’s willingness to say ‘yes’ to God’s call was a model of faith and obedience. Mary’s Coronation is a sign of the deep love and respect that God has for Mary, and an acknowledgement of Mary’s unique role in salvation history.
But the Coronation is not just about Mary. It is also a reminder of the hope that we have as Christians. As Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven, so too do we hope to share in the glory of God’s kingdom. In Revelation 3:21, Jesus says: ‘To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.’ The Coronation of Mary is a sign of the hope that we have in Christ, that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we too may be granted a place in Jesus’ kingdom.
As I pray and reflect on the Coronation of Mary, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and humility. I thank God for the example of Mary, for her faith and devotion, and for the hope that Mary’s Coronation gives us. I pray that I may always strive to follow Mary’s example of faith and obedience, and that through the grace of God, I too may one day share in the glory of his kingdom. Amen.