Inside-Out: A Collection of Thoughts – Part 2

As Eastertide draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on Our Lord’s ability to redeem seemingly godforsaken situations, transforming them into channels of grace. And what better season to contemplate this? What better example of it than the Crucifixion and Resurrection? 

With this in mind, here are some more quotes on how He triumphs over pain and turns brokenness inside-out. May they bring you joy!

~✝︎~

From my own experience in trying to make stories ‘work,’ I have discovered that what is needed is an action that is totally unexpected, yet totally believable, and I have found that, for me, this is always an action which indicates that grace has been offered. And frequently it is an action in which the devil has been the unwilling instrument of grace . . . my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory held largely by the devil.

~ Flannery O’Connor, “On Her Own Work,” Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose

Man’s means of bringing death to Jesus was God’s means to bring life to the world. Man’s symbol of rejecting Christ was God’s symbol of forgiveness for man.

~ Sinclair Ferguson

O Mother, will your triumph be
Now, when His foes claim victory?

~ The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, “Her Triumph,”¹

The Cross where-on our debts were paid, Alleluia:
His kingly sceptre now is made: Alleluia!
Rejoice, Marie, rejoice today; Alleluia!
The clouds of night are past away. Alleluia! 

~ “The Clouds of Night,” translation by G. R. Woodward²

Christ is risen from the dead,
trampling down death by death,
and upon those in the tombs
bestowing life!

~ Paschal troparion, translation by Vladimir Morosan

Which quote is your favourite? How was your Eastertide? Let me know in the comments!

Notes:

1. This powerful hymn tells the story of the Pascal Triuum from the perspective of Christ’s mother. Listen to it here.
2. This is the final verse of a Marian Easter hymn, first published as “Laßt Unz Erfreuen Hertzlich Sehr” in a Jesuit Hymnal in the 17th century. Listen to my favourite version here.

Image credit: Resurrection Icon, artist and date unknown. View the complete image and learn more about it on the S.D. Cason Catholic Gallery website.