Good Friday Archives - Redeemed Online

It Is Finished

April 19, 2019 by Andy Lesnefsky 3 Comments

Reflect: ”As they were looking on, so we too gaze on his wounds as he hangs. We see his blood as he dies. We see the price offered by the redeemer, touch the scars of his resurrection. He bows his head, as if to kiss you. His heart is made bare open, as it were, in love to you. His arms are extended that he may embrace you. His whole body is displayed for your redemption. Ponder how great these things are. Let all this be rightly weighed in your mind: as he was once fixed to the cross in every part of his body for you, so he may now be fixed in every part of your soul. – St. Augustine

Share: Invite someone to pray with you today in front of a crucifix.

Prayer: Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus while before Your face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment.

While I contemplate, with great love and tender pity, Your five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David, Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones.”

Amen.

Watch today’s video featuring Sr. Mercy Marie, SV:

Click here to listen to yesterday’s live video featuring Andy Lesnefsky

Today’s Podcast Episode: We are not alone in our suffering.

Listen to today’s scripture reflection here: https://redeemedonline.com/podcast/april-19-2019/

Crucifixion and Death

March 29, 2018 by Andy Lesnefsky 7 Comments

SCRIPTURE – Today’s video is based on Mark 15:22-32. Here is an excerpt “Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.”

REFLECT – God died. This is scandalous. It’s our story. It’s a common image of the most uncommon love. Do you believe that God could love you this much?

SHARE – Even if you can’t make it to church today, spend time today before a crucifix contemplating the love Jesus has for you.

PRAY – We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world. You are holy and yet, you love me, a sinner. Jesus, your love overwhelms me. Thank you for the cross. Thank you for remembering me in your suffering and death. Let the love and the reality of the cross change my heart and my life today. Amen.

Watch today’s video featuring Fr. Mike Schmitz.

Latest Podcast Episode: Easter, Our Resurrection, and St. Stephen

Easter is our moment as Christians, but what does the resurrection look like in our lives today? The raising of Lazarus gives us some food for thought.

This episode looks at the implications of the resurrection for our lives and how we should live and celebrate the Easter season.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

The Message of the Cross

March 24, 2016 by Brian Kissinger Leave a Comment

What did Jesus actually accomplish? He claimed to bring peace, and yet our world is still ravaged by war. He claimed to bring life, and we’re still dying down here. What did Jesus bring to the world? This question was posed to Pope Benedict XVI by a non-Christian friend, and the Pope’s response was very simple. Jesus brought God. Being fully God and fully man, Jesus enters into every corner and every dark, scary place that we could ever find ourselves in. Now even death itself is known and experienced by God. No matter where we are, we have a God who’s been there.

The message of the cross is that we are pursued endlessly by Love that will stop at nothing. So desperately does the Father desire to rescue us that He would send His only Son, His very heart, to save us from sin and death. It sounds like a great idea, but do we really believe it? Is Good Friday just another story from a long time ago, or have you experienced the reality of God’s presence in the midst of suffering and loneliness? What is one step in Christ’s journey to Calvary that stands out to you and speaks loudly of God’s love for us?

Watch the video:

4 Ways to Take This Offline

Spend 5 minutes in prayer today, reflecting on just one of the sufferings Jesus endured for us
Share today’s video on social media or send it to someone via text or email
In the next few days, seek out someone you know who is struggling or lonely.
Make time Spend time tomorrow, Holy Saturday, praying and reflecting on how God has brought life and hope into your own life.

About our Speaker:

Brian Kissinger lives in the foothills of the Alps, where he is the Director of Student Life for Franciscan University’s Austrian Program. He has a passion for sharing the Gospel, and he emphasizes a message of hope in a culture that has lost its sense of purpose. More importantly, Brian is married to the girl of his dreams, Courtney, and they have been blessed with 2 kids (Ellie and Brian Francis). But most importantly, Brian has known Andy Lesnefsky for the past 16 years.

How will you respond to the cross?

April 2, 2015 by Andy Lesnefsky Leave a Comment

There’s a fear inside most people of being exposed. What if people saw every part of who I am? Would they love me? Would they hate me?

Today is honestly a bit of a strange day if you stop and really think about it. We celebrate that our God was completely exposed. He was stripped of his clothing and crucified like a common criminal. He dies.

What is exposed? Not just a man, but the reality of divine love that is greater than anything we could even imagine. On the cross we see not just a naked human body suffering. We see the divine heart of our savior beating it’s every beat for you until Jesus gives his everything.

St. Francis talked about us being naked before God. He sees us for who we are: nothing more, nothing less. Today as you contemplate the cross, allow God to love you for who you are. His love is completely exposed in his suffering body- hold nothing back from him today.

Sharing Online

Are you following us on Facebook? Twitter? Instagram? Pinterest?

For sharing on Social Media today:

Make social media all about Jesus for you today. Fast from anything that distracts you from him. Share as honestly as you can about your relationship with Jesus on social media.

The YouTube link to share with your tweets today is https://youtu.be/fafORvRmYvY Don’t forget to use the #ShareJesus.

Taking it Offline

Go to Good Friday services if at all possible.
Say a Divine Mercy Chaplet and consider praying the Divine Mercy Novena.
Pray with someone today.
Share your testimony with someone.

He held nothing back. Don’t hold back anything from him today. He wants your heart. Give it to him. #ShareJesus

Click here to listen to yesterday’s live video featuring Andy Lesnefsky

Sharing Online

Taking it Offline

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