April 5, 2026
On the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with the spices they had prepared. Why did they not go the day before? Because the practiced the discipline of rest on the Sabbath day. These lived life in a spiritual rhythm, where their days and weeks and habits were formed by the practices of their faith. Their discipline did not make the resurrection happen, but their disciplines put them in the right place at the right time to discover and recognize that the miracle of resurrection had taken place. Spiritual disciplines prepare us to be attentive to and aware of the special moments and gifts of grace that God gives us every day. And when we are aware of those moments and gifts, we cannot help but live into the discipline of gratitude.