I actually smiled when I saw this poster. It’s true, our minds and hearts are often, if not always, arguing when it comes to love. Oftentimes when the heart wants something that the mind doesn’t like, the mind interferes and makes the whole thing complicated. Sometimes the heart should follow the mind, because it’s the one that provides balance and logic. It provides a reality check to our unpredictable and sometimes out of control emotions. And even though we hate to admit it, the brain can be right and we know we’ll do better if we follow it. But there are also times when we need to follow our hearts too. Sigh, love really IS complicated. But don’t you just wish sometimes, that you can just leave the mind behind so you could follow your heart and be happy? Oh, the irony. If that is at all possible, perhaps most people would do it.

I was on my way home one day when I saw a group of bikers pass by. Seeing them, I realized how much I miss biking. It’s been so long. I haven’t ridden my bike in months! So when I arrived home, I sought out my old bike. I was planning to do a couple of laps around the neighborhood. Like I said, I haven’t touched my bike in months, so understandably, it wasn’t in good shape. I’m not good with fixing things, so I asked my cousin to check it out for me. We took out our box of air tools and my cousin began tinkering. Turns out, the wheel needs to be replaced. We had a spare alright, but the problem is, the nuts are already too tough for a hand wrench. They simply won’t budge! So we had to use an air impact wrench. It’s a good thing we had these tools ready. They really are handy and efficient. Using the impact wrench, the nuts were removed easily. Talk about fast and convenient! Before you know it, the task was done and I was biking away. God, I miss biking!

I read a chapter about The Cross today. It was such a heartfelt passage that I cried.

What’s the meaning of the Cross anyway? Most Catholics simply know that it signifies the death of Jesus Christ, but some don’t realize the true meaning of it. Sometimes, I don’t fully grasp the importance of it and the extraordinary meaning behind it. But when I read that particular chapter, I was deeply moved.

So why did Jesus die in the Cross? He was innocent and pure, right? He didn’t deserve to be subjected to the harsh and cruel treatment that was given Him. So why did it have to happen? Why did He have to SUFFER and DIE? The answer is simple. He did it for You and Me. He did it because HE LOVES US. He did it because it was the only way for us to be saved and our sins to be forgiven. Yes, sinning is part of our humanity, but we shouldn’t downplay it or say that it’s no big deal. Because sins are, in fact, a big deal. And Jesus was willing to sacrifice His own life, so these very sins won’t destroy us.

I know you’ve probably already heard this over and over again, in sermons, in Church, from pastors, and some of you might just dismiss it as, “Oh yeah, I already know that.” And I don’t mean to sound preachy or anything. But really, try and let this shocking truth capture your hearts. Coz it’s such a beautiful truth. Jesus loves us so much, He was willing to die and suffer, so we could live. Imagine that! We’ve made a lot of mistakes in our lives, we’ve sinned many times and we deserve all the pain and punishment for our sins. And yet, there He was, He took it all, even though He didn’t deserve any of it, so we wouldn’t have to.

See how unconditional His love is? And what about God? Do you realize how much God loves us too? He sent His only Son to save us. He loves Jesus so much, but He allowed His only Son to die and suffer for the sins of the world. I hope you realize the enormity of this sacrifice. He rejected His own Son so our sins will be forgiven! We put Jesus on the Cross, it was our sins that put Him on the Cross, but He did it, because He loves us.

If you’re reading this now, and you acknowledge that you’ve sinned, don’t think that because your sins are great, you will not be forgiven. Don’t think that because your sin is bigger than those of other people, God will take a longer time to forgive you. All sins, big or small, are the same in God’s eyes. So, no matter where you are, remember the Cross. Remember that Jesus loves you so much, He died for you. Remember the image of Jesus Christ’s extended arms, nailed on the cross, saying, “This is how much I love you. Believe and repent.”

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