Reflections on Easter Weekend

I love The Passion of the Christ. Most people I talk to that have seen it have told me, "Once was enough," but it is so well-done and powerful to me. I love the fact that it was done as realistically as possible (original languages, etc.) and it shows exactly what it was that Jesus went through.

I remember the first time I saw it, I was overwhelmed and cried almost the entire time. But now that I've seen it a few times, the parts that make me cry are when Peter realizes he denied Christ, when the Sanhedrin tear at their clothes because they are outraged at the blasphemy of Jesus claiming to be God, the whipping scene (which is brutal), and while carrying his cross Jesus tells his mother "I make all things new." I watched it on Good Friday.

Saturday was lovely. I played with a puppy at the park and had some friends over for dinner.

Sunday was fabulous. I'm really starting to get involved at the church here. I'm one of the praise singers now, and I participated in a signing thing and a song presentation with dowel rods. It was great. Though the church is super small, everyone is so dedicated, and it's rewarding to participate, work together, and see God do great things.

Then I went home and spent Sunday afternoon with my folks. Mom made a huge pan of tiramisu. (One of the consequences of spending 6 years in Italy is learning how to make homemade tiramisu.) You better believe I brought home a whole lot of it.

Listening to country music on the way home (something I never do), I thought about the fact that Jesus conquered Death. I thought about what that meant. When He rose, He gave every single one of us hope of a resurrection.

You lived/ You died/ You rose again on high/ You opened the way/ For the world to live again/ Hallelujah/ For all you've done.