our own private hells

In today's reading from Mark 15:1-47, we read of the crucifixion. Jesus, betrayed by those whom He loved, ridiculed and attacked by those in charge, was crucified by the very people whom He was saving by being crucified. "Father, forgive them," He prayed, "they don't know what they're doing."

And that forgiveness extends to us. That "not knowing what we're doing" extends to us, too, I'm afraid. Much of the time we go through our lives, not knowing what we're doing, falling into sins that are difficult to climb out of. But His prayer on the cross is for us. He forgives us, knowing that we don't know.

Just before He died, He cried out, "It is finished." The great work that He had come to do was done. He had stared down sin and death, and defeated them both. He was about to descend into hell and unlock the gates, sharing the good news of eternal life with those who languished inside.

He descends into your hell, too. He unlocks the gates holding you inside, and He shares with you the good news that you don't have to live in that place anymore. That you're free. We can leave the hell that we find ourselves in, the hells that are usually of our own making, and we can go with Him. Today, you can be with Him in paradise. Lift yourself up to Him, as that is at its heart what prayer really means, and He will pick you up out of your hell and fill you with His love, forgiveness, and Spirit. Then you can share that love with those around you, helping to unlock their hells as you go.

God, thank You for freeing us from our own private hells. Please help us see those around us who need that freedom, too.