Gospel Reflection
What are your conversations with God like? Are they a laundry list of things you wish you had? Do you ever complain of the life you were born into or the situations you find yourself in? Do you pray for a savior from all your troubles and worries? Do you ever wonder if He cares or is even listening…or worse, wonder if He even exists?? Chances are, then, that you have a lot in common with the disciples who encountered Jesus on their way to Emmaus.
They were so consumed with themselves that they couldn’t see Jesus standing there right in front of them. They were so scared of what life would be like without Him that they forgot He would live forever in their hearts and minds. They were so busy searching for answers to questions they had that they failed to realize He had already answered them.
Sometimes, a kind word from a stranger can pick us up and give us hope that things will turn around. Or maybe, all it takes is a simple change in perspective to see God’s grace already manifested in our lives.
So, what if the trials that we face in this life are simply God’s mercies in disguise? What if to see the sunshine, we must first walk through a couple of storms? What if we have to experience betrayal and hurt and pain and suffering to know how amazing God’s love and mercy could be? What if we had to witness the destructiveness of evil in order to be capable of overcoming it with good?
We have to remember that God has our best interests at heart and that He would never give us more than we couldn’t handle on our own. And besides, this life is just temporary, and there will come a day when God calls us home to be with Him.
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’
or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
After all, Jesus’ death on the cross opened the gates of Heaven and made a reunion with our Creator possible again.
Gathering | This Is the Day
This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad___in it
Preparation of the Gifts | Open My Eyes
Open my eyes, Lord
Help me to see Your face
Open my eyes, Lord
Help me to see
Open my ears, Lord
Help me to hear Your voice
Open my ears, Lord
Help me to hear
Open my heart, Lord
Help me to love like You
Open my heart, Lord
Help me to love
Communion | Purify My Heart (Refiner’s Fire)
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold
and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold
pure gold
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
is to be___holy
set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be___holy
set apart for You, my Master
ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
deep within
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
is to be___holy
set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be___holy
set apart for You, my Master
ready to do Your will
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
is to be___holy
set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be___holy
set apart for You, my Master
ready to do Your will
ready to do Your will
Closing | Jesus Reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Forever and ever
Forever and ever, Amen
Awakened to the light
darkness has been conquered
Eternal life
we now know the way
No fear and strife
Ev’rything is different
Jesus has been raised
We can never be the same
our eyes are open
We must proclaim
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Jesus reigns
Forever and ever
Forever and ever, Amen
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