Jesus knows who we are. He wants us to be saved.

In this first full week of Lent, I thought it would be good to reflect the fact that Jesus died on the cross to redeem our sins.

span style="line-height: 1.22;">LOS ANGELES, CA - According to the rosarycenter.org (http://www.rosary-center.org/), Jesus saw all of our sins while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. I can't even imagine seeing all of the sins of the world. The murder of Abel. Worshiping the golden calf. The sacrifices of the Israelite and non-Israelite children to Moloch. The hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. And, what about our sins? Our pride. Our arrogance. Cursing. Putting money before God. Lust. Greed. Envy. On. And on. And on. All of these, Jesus saw. The pain must have been unbearable. And Jesus died, so that we can live.

As one thinks of this, it is almost easy to lose hope. Can I truly be forgiven for my sins? Tom Booth's beautiful song 'Be Forgiven" from his album "Change Me' restores that hope, at least in me. Tom has woven together inspirational words with moving music that almost bring one to tears. Tom reminds us that 'Jesus died and rose that you might know his love, and be forgiven.'

Light a virtual candle...go here

The first verse declares 'Jesus told you he wants your peace, and Jesus told you he wants you healed. Jesus lifted up the blind man. He lifted up the dead. He lifted those who mourn their own. He did just what he said, and Jesus rose for you, and he rose for me. He died and rose that we might know his peace and be forgiven'. The last line again is: he died and rose that we might know his peace, and be forgiven. Can you understand the sacrifice? Most people won't die for a friend. Jesus died, without ever physically meeting you face to face.

Jesus knows who we are. He wants us to be saved. He looks into our eyes, and knows our pain, our weakness, our fears. He only asks that we believe in him, and follow him. If we follow him in that way, to be forgiven.

Listen to Tom Booth's Be Forgiven (http://www.mp3olimp.net/tom-booth-be-forgiven/). Think of the words. Reflect on the sacrifice. Then, take up your cross to follow Jesus. And be forgiven. 

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'