https://www.facebook.com/513927281806731/

Gospel Glow, Minneapolis, MN (2026)

04/10/2026

"Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell..." — Psalms 16:1, 10 (Refrain and Prophecy)

In this powerful image of the Risen Christ, we see a profound and unique depiction of the Sacred Heart. Our previous posts (such as image_0.png, image_8.png, and image_21.png) established the historical reality and testimony of the Passion and Resurrection. Now, we move beyond the history to a meditative moment of divine presence.

Here, Jesus is not depicted as a passive symbol of mercy, but as the living, active force. He presents the burning, thorn-crowned heart—a visual echo of the 'Holy One not seeing corruption' from our previous meditation. The flames on the heart represent an 'unquenchable flame' of divine passion and love that 'the waters of hell cannot drown.' The thorns are the persistent reminder of the specific path of the cross that was required for our redemption.

Meditation on the Contrast:
Peace Amidst Power: Look closely at His serene countenance as His right hand performs the gesture of blessing. This peace contrasts sharply with the dramatic lightning and dark, chaotic sky (an echo of the original Passion dark sky).

Love in Fire and Thorns: The central icon is a paradox. Suffering and victory are physically combined. The same fire that purges also burns with intense love, and the same thorns that caused the suffering are part of the 'Redeemer’s crown.'

This post is an invitation to meditation. Today, we are asked not just to remember a historical event, but to sit with the present reality of the Sacred Heart.

He is Risen! And His Love is an unquenchable fire that burns to bring you peace amidst any storm.

04/07/2026

The Forty Days of Mission and Teaching

Gospel Reflection: Why did Jesus spend 40 Days on Earth after His Resurrection? (Acts 1)
The empty tomb was not the conclusion; it was the launching pad. As previous posts in this series have confirmed (like image_14.png showing the empty tomb and image_21.png depicting the adoration of the first witnesses), Jesus' resurrection victory was complete. However, the mission wasn't. This post explores the period described in the Acts 1 account, often summarized with the question, "Why did Jesus spend 40 Days on Earth after His Resurrection?"
The central illustration portrays the interior of the empty tomb cave at dawn, consistent with our previous images. The risen Jesus is standing near the folded linens, surrounded by His apostles. He is teaching, gesturing with a teaching staff and scroll, pointing them towards the world beyond the open entrance.
Four Core Dimensions of the 40 Days:
Based on the Acts account, this period of post-resurrection appearances (depicted with Peter, John, and others, whose features are consistent with our characters from image) was essential for:
1. Confirmation and Proof: To "confirm His resurrection with infallible proofs to over 500 witnesses." This was crucial for establishing the truth and turning fear into a bold testimony.
2. Teaching and Preparation: "To teach concerning the Kingdom of God." He continued to expand their understanding of the scriptures and their divine mission.
3. The Global Mission: He explicitly "commissioned the global mission: make disciples of all nations" (as also noted in Matthew 28). They were sent.
4. The Promise of the Holy Spirit: The critical promise: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you... and you will be my witnesses."
As we read Matthew and Acts, we realize that "Jesus' work on Earth wasn't done after He rose from the grave." The 40 days bridged the ultimate sacrifice and the beginning of the global church. The Resurrection work continues through us, His witnesses, empowered by the Spirit He promised.
The mission is commissioned. The Spirit is promised. (Acts 1).

04/06/2026

The Confirmed Witness vs. The Manufactured Deceit
Gospel Reflection: Matthew 28:8-15

The empty tomb was only the beginning. The events that followed directly shape the story we tell today. On one hand, we have the women—the first messengers of the Resurrection. While running to deliver the message, they are met by the Risen Savior Himself! Jesus' simple words, "All hail," lead to a beautiful moment of worship and adoration. They fall at His feet, adoring Him, and receive the crucial commission to "Go, tell my brethren..." The truth of the resurrection is confirmed by multiple witnesses who see, touch, and worship the living King.

The Contrast of Light and Shadow:
This post illustrates the profound contrast that immediately arose. The left side is bathed in the brilliant, warm light of dawn from the empty tomb path, depicting the genuine confirmation and worship of the risen Jesus. The right side is a shadowed Jerusalem alley, contrasting cool tones and darkness, where the very guards who fled the tomb (image_12.png) conspire with Chief Priests. While the women spread a message of hope, the religious authorities give a "great sum of money" to the guards to spread a lie: that the disciples "stole him away."

Matthew 28:13 contains the origin of this historical deceit. It reminds us that while truth is radiant and confirmed by those who witness it, deceit is transactional and manufactured by those in power who fear the truth.

Today, as we read Matthew 28:15, which notes that the false story spread widely, we make our choice. Do we accept the message that has been transactionalized and hidden in darkness, or do we, like the women, meet the Risen Christ, adoration on our lips, and boldly declare: "WE ARE HIS WITNESSES! HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!" (This truth cannot be hidden.)

04/06/2026

"Keep me safe, O God; you are my hope." — Psalms 16:1 (Refrain)

The message of the empty tomb has spread from the steps of the temple to the personal hearts of those who loved Him. In image_16.png, we saw Peter's bold public proclamation. Now, we witness the serene, individual joy that takes root because He lives.

In today's Responsorial Psalm, we shift our focus from the impossibility of death holding the Messiah to the certainty of total trust in God. This is the logic of Easter: because God did not leave the "Holy One to see corruption," we find our ultimate safety, hope, and "portion."

Why this Psalm is perfect for Easter:
Total Trust: The psalmist (quoted by Peter in Acts 2, our previous post) declares, "I have put trust in thee." He is the safe refuge.

Resurrection Victory: Peter confirmed that King David wrote about the "Holy One not seeing corruption," specifically pointing to Jesus’ empty tomb. That ancient prophecy is now fulfilled before their eyes.

The Fullness of Joy: The Psalm concludes with a stunning promise that being "filled with joy with thy countenance" and finding "delights even to the end" at God’s right hand is the inheritance of those who trust in the risen Lord.

As we look at the apostles gathered on the hill, we don't see despair or confusion. We see faces reflecting the deep, peaceful joy of a promise kept and a future secure. May that same joy and absolute trust fill your heart today.

He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

04/06/2026

Easter Monday: The Witness of the Resurrection
"This Jesus hath God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses." — Acts 2:32

The tomb is empty, the celebration has begun, and today—Easter Monday—the message begins to spread like wildfire. In today’s First Reading, we see a transformed Peter. No longer the man who denied Christ in the shadows, he stands boldly before the crowds in Jerusalem. His voice doesn't waver as he declares the ultimate truth: Death could not hold Him.

Peter reminds us that the crucifixion was not a tragic accident, but a divine plan. While "wicked hands" may have laid Him in the grave, it was God who "loosed the sorrows of hell" because it was impossible for the Holy One to see corruption.

Why Today Matters:
From Fear to Boldness: The same Peter who once hid is now a public witness. The Resurrection doesn't just change Jesus' status; it changes ours. It turns our fear into a fearless testimony.

The Living Promise: Peter points back to King David, noting that while David’s tomb is still with us, Jesus’ tomb is empty. He is the fruit of the throne who lives forever.

The Poured Out Spirit: Because Jesus is exalted at the right hand of God, He has poured out the Holy Spirit. What we "see and hear" today—the joy, the hope, the change in our lives—is the direct result of His victory.

As we go about our day, let us remember that we are the modern-day witnesses. The Resurrection isn't just a historical event to be remembered once a year; it is a living reality that empowers us to speak, to love, and to live differently.

The victory is won. The Spirit is poured out. The story continues through us.

04/05/2026

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." — Matthew 28:6

The silence of the tomb has been shattered by the roar of victory! On this glorious Easter Sunday, we wake to the most transformative news in human history: The Tomb is Empty. The burial linens are folded, the stone has been cast aside, and the light of the first day's sun floods the space where death once held sway. What began in the darkness of Gethsemane and the agony of Golgotha has culminated in the triumphant radiance of the Resurrection. Jesus is no longer the "Man of Sorrows" bound by the grave; He is the Living King, the Conqueror of Sin, and the Giver of Eternal Life.
The Power of the Empty Tomb:
* The Ultimate Proof: The resurrection validates everything Jesus claimed. He didn't just survive; He overcame.
* A New Beginning: Because He lives, we have a living hope. The chains of our past and the fear of our future are broken at the entrance of this cave.
* The Dawn of Grace: The judgment of Friday and the waiting of Saturday have given way to the celebration of Sunday. Mercy has won the day!
Today, as we see the women standing in awe at the entrance of the cave, let our hearts join them in wonder. The crown of thorns is cast on the ground, replaced by a crown of glory that will never fade.
Let the shout ring out across the world: He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

04/04/2026

The Silence of Holy Saturday: Between the Cross and the Crown
"He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death..." — Isaiah 53:9

Today is the day of profound stillness—Holy Saturday. The chaos of the crowd has faded, the cries from the cross have fallen silent, and the heavy stone has been rolled into place. In the cool, dim shadows of the tomb, the Redeemer waits.

To the world looking on that day, it appeared to be a finality—a tragic end to a radical life of love. But in the divine timeline, this is the Second Day. It is the bridge between the ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate victory. While the world mourned a loss, heaven held its breath in anticipation of the promise.

Why the Silence Matters:
The Weight of Peace: This day reminds us that even in our darkest, most "silent" seasons—when it feels like God is quiet or the story has ended—work is being done beneath the surface.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy: Every hour spent in that tomb was a testament to Christ's humanity and His complete submission to the Father’s will.

The Gathering Hope: We don't stand at the tomb as those without hope. We stand knowing that the silence of the second day is merely the prelude to the shout of the third.

As we reflect on this quiet Saturday, let us sit with the mystery of the wait. Redemption has been paid for, and the dawn of the third day is coming. The stone is heavy, but it is not permanent.

04/03/2026

"For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of My people He was stricken." — Isaiah 53:8

Today, on this solemn day, we pause to reflect on the depth of the sacrifice that defines Good Friday. In this quiet moment from the tomb, we see Jesus, the Redeemer, being reverently placed by His disciples, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. The crown of thorns is set aside, and His suffering on the cross is complete.
This scene is not an end, but a profound demonstration of unparalleled love—a moment when divine mercy met human transgression, and the ultimate price was paid for our redemption.
As we look upon "The Tomb of the Redeemer," let us not see defeat, but rather the silent victory. Even in the darkness, the light of the candle flickers, a quiet whisper that this story does not end here. We wait in hopeful expectation for the dawn of Easter morning.

04/03/2026

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..." — John 3:16

On this Sacred Friday, we gather in the shadow of the cross to remember the magnitude of the love that was poured out for us. It is a day of deep reflection on "The Ultimate Sacrifice"—a moment when divine compassion met human suffering. Jesus, bearing the crown of thorns and the marks of scourging, endured the weight of our brokenness so that we might find healing, hope, and new life.
In His suffering, we see the depth of God's love. The cross, once a symbol of shame, becomes an eternal beacon of mercy, redemption, and victory. Let us not look away from this sacrifice, but let it transform our hearts and call us to a deeper faith. As the flickering candle reminds us that even in the deepest darkness, light persists, let us remember that His final breath was not the end, but the beginning of our eternal hope.
Today, and always, let us remember: "His Life for Ours."

04/03/2026

"He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief." — Isaiah 53:3
Today, on Good Friday, we reflect on the scene of unparalleled suffering and profound love: Jesus, bearing the crown of thorns and the weight of the cross, standing amidst a crowd of condemnation. He who was without sin took on the judgment meant for us all. His silence in the face of accusation, His endurance of pain, and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross were all for one purpose: to offer us redemption and life.
As we ponder this moment, let us remember the depth of the sacrifice made—a sacrifice not of obligation, but of love. In the darkness of Good Friday, we find the dawn of hope, a love that was tested and emerged victorious.

07/23/2025

“And he took them in his arms” - Mark 10:16

Gospel Glow

04/10/2026

04/07/2026

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

04/05/2026

04/04/2026

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

07/23/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category