"To live a life in the memory of Jesus Christ means first of all that that memory is a healing memory. How does the memory of Jesus Christ heal? The memory of Jesus Christ heals because it lifts up our small life and brings it in connection with a much larger event. As Christians, we are participating in a memory that goes far, far back to that great moment when God himself entered into history and shared the human condition. When our little history can be connected with the great history of salvation a tremendous change starts taking place because our little pains and our little joys are no longer just little pains and little joys but they point beyond themselves . . . to a great event of salvation of which we have become a part. . . . Our lives can be healed by the memory of the incarnation and the story of salvation." Henri Nouwen

How often do we reflect on the mystery of our salvation? Where or what would we be like if Jesus had not saved us?  Our salvation costs him his life. He freed us from the bondage of sin and eternal death, alienated from God. And yet we still continue to sin. He gave his all; we struggle with responding to him with our all. Does he ask too much from us? We are not perfect, but can we strive to remain at one with him? And when we fall short, because of the law of sin within, do we repent and return to him as quickly as possible? Salvation is a free gift. Our response also needs to be freely given as a sign of our deep appreciation.