Glorious

Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried, but he did not stay there. It is glorious to know that Jesus Christ was not defeated by death. He resurrected. He is alive. Things were not going to be the same as they had been, though. His disciples were a bit astounded at his ascension. Now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. He left his disciples with instructions and a promise. 

The Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost. We might call this the birthday of the Church; it had already been conceived, but now it burst forth. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter and the apostles preach the gospel—who Jesus is, what they had done to him, where he is now,...and we accept that Jesus is the Son of God and Son of Man, that he was crucified, died and buried, and that he rose on the third day in accordance with the scripture. We repent of our sins and ask for God's pardon. We follow in the teachings of Jesus through his apostles much like the early Christians.

Years later, Mary, Jesus mother, died, but that was not her end. She had stood there at the foot of the cross. She was there when Jesus was buried and when he rose from the dead. She was in the upper room with the apostles, praying. She was herself a witness to who Jesus is. After her death, she was taken body and soul into heaven, and there she intercedes for us much as she did while here on earth. She also stands as a witness to the truth of God's promise, as we believe in the resurrection of the body. We believe that, as we believe in Jesus, even if we die, we shall yet live.

Mary received a crown of glory that will not fade away. Her humility and obedience is an example to all Christians. Her prayers help to sustain the faithful and encourage the doubting. She points us to Jesus, our risen King--Jesus who did not leave his disciples orphans—and our blessed Lord saves us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. Amen.