Who can forget “The Passion of the Christ”? When this movie came out in 2004, I was an “infant” Christian. Born Catholic and given all the Sacraments and nine years of Saturday morning CCD. For 35 years before I met my wife, I avoided God and lived a hedonistic life.
When I met Connie in 2001, everything began to change. Not just because I had met an incredible woman, but because, she introduced me to Someone Greater. For 3 years I began to be introduced to God. I would go to Holy Mass and it began to mean more than an hour on Sunday.
Then, in the winter of 2004, my wife bought me a book that brought me to my knees. At night, while she slept, I would sit in fear and worry about my eternal destiny.
God showed to me the sins I had committed against Him. And, even more, He showed me if I died at that moment the reward my life had earned: hell. I dropped to my knees and begged God to forgive me and that Jesus save me from my condemnation.
God’s timing was impeccable. As a few days later we went to see “The Passion of the Christ.” The movie is overwhelming in its imagery and depth.
Afterwards, we left the cinema without a word. We got in the car before my wife finally broke the silence, asking what I thought of the movie. I sat for minutes longer in silence before I broke down in tears. I had no words for what I thought of this movie. It had impacted me with the scenes of Jesus’ immense love. The Passion and crucifixion broke every last scar from my heart.
I had surrendered my salvation days earlier with my prayer but that moment after watching this movie, I fully surrendered myself to Jesus because I finally understood what He endured for me.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John 3:16
“Remember My Passion, and if you do not believe My words, at least believe My wounds.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 379
A couple of hours meditating upon Christ’s passion broke my heart and changed my life.
Today Jesus said to me, I desire that you know more profoundly the love that burns in My Heart for souls, and you will understand this when you meditate upon My Passion. # 186
There is more merit to one hour of meditation on My sorrowful Passion than there is to a whole year of flagellation that draws blood. # 369
There are few souls who contemplate My Passion with true feeling; I give great graces to souls who meditate devoutly on My Passion. # 737
Meditating on the Passion of Jesus not only greatly pleases the Lord, it also draws us into the Heart of Jesus where we are blessed with understanding and grace for our sanctification.
Do you meditate on the passion of the Lord? As we slowly begin the move to Lent, spend these next few weeks reading focusing upon the Passion writings in the Gospel. From Gethsemane through the Grave, the Passion narratives are found in all the Gospels – in Matthew 26, Mark 14-15, Luke 22 and John 18. Lent is coming soon, prepare a way for the Lord in your heart.
Ed,
I love your vulnerability. Thank you for sharing.
Jim
What was the book
The series was ‘Left Behind.’ It is a Protestant series based on their belief of the Rapture. The rapture is not Biblical nor believed by the Catholic Church. But at the time, I was a brand new, or renewed, Christian so I didn’t know. God works in His ways