Picking up our crosses

[jochoa]

So yes, I would say that this is the other side of the coin to my question.

Does picking up our cross mean a life of austerity, or is it being humble to the point that we admit we are flawed?

I like your concepts. I personally try to extend them to the following:
If I pick up the cross without fully desiring to, I will be unhappy doing it. Therefore, I try hard to desire carrying the cross, so I will be happy doing the work.
An example: My employer needs a certain job done that I do not quite understand. Instead of just doing the job, I first try to change the mindset to want to do it, so I can enjoy doing the work.

Being humble to the point that we admit we are flawed. I really like this starting point. I would extend it to resolving to change the manner in which we are flawed.
An example: A student of mine points out that I say “ummm” too much. I not only admit that I say “ummm” too much, I resolve to stop saying it. Once again, if I do not want to,trying to change this behavior would generate resentment in me, instead I try to want to change the behavior, so it is enjoyable while doing it.

I feel like I am a little too new here to get into it right now.

I would appreciate your assistance in the following:
Could you please tell me where this concept feels too deep to discuss? I would like it to be perceived as simple, even though it is the greatest challenge of living.

Thanks for your time, and I am glad you are here!.

 

[carlysrose]

I would appreciate your assistance in the following:
Could you please tell me where this concept feels too deep to discuss? I would like it to be perceived as simple, even though it is the greatest challenge of living.

Thanks for your time, and I am glad you are here!.

I don’t feel good about the cross, but I have faith in crosses that have Jesus on it, because I feel that he is putting an end to corruption in the cross. Our tRNA is in the shape of a cross, and I feel that it is a genetic mutation that is the root of evil, which in recognizing can solve the mystery of our violent inherent nature and our constant state of poverty. To me, Jesus being nailed to the cross means that he is putting an end to the darkness.

So, I guess I said it. Ha.

Thanks for the encouragement, I’m glad to be here too.

 

[pablope]

Jesus tells us to renounce ourselves to follow him,

“If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for me will save it.” - Mark 8.34-5

I was told once that our cross is our hardship. Is this accurate?

Could it be that Jesus did not literally mean we must die, but rather that we must deny our pride and stop pretending to others that we are greater than we really are - that once we are honest about our personal disadvantage(s), we can begin to live an honest and therefore fulfilled and righteous life?

I find this from St. John Vianney very beautiful…saints.sqpn.com/catechism-on-suffering-by-saint-john-vianney/

If we loved God, we should love crosses, we should wish for them, we should take pleasure in them. . . . We should be happy to be able to suffer for the love of Him who lovingly suffered for us. Of what do we complain? Alas! the poor infidels, who have not the happiness of knowing God and His infinite loveliness, have the same crosses that we have; but they have not the same consolations. You say it is hard? No, it is easy, it is consoling, it is sweet; it is happiness. Only we must love while we suffer, and suffer while we love.

Our greatest cross is the fear of crosses. . . . We have not the courage to carry our cross, and we are very much mistaken; for, whatever we do, the cross holds us tight — we cannot escape from it. What, then, have we to lose? Why not love our crosses and make use of them to take us to Heaven? But, on the contrary, most men turn their backs upon crosses, and fly before them. The more they run, the more the cross pursues them, the more it strikes and crushes them with burdens. . . . If you were wise, you would go to meet it like Saint Andrew, who said, when he saw the cross prepared for him and raised up into the air, “Hail O good cross! O admirable cross! O desirable cross! receive me into thine arms, withdraw me from among men, and restore me to my Master, who redeemed me through thee. ”

 

[carlysrose]

I find this from St. John Vianney very beautiful…saints.sqpn.com/catechism-on-suffering-by-saint-john-vianney/

“Illnesses, temptations, troubles, are so many crosses which take us to Heaven.” I guess the OP is answered. Now it can be open to general discussion.

For starters,

“Oh, I had crosses indeed! I had almost more than I could carry!”

I disagree. I believe that we have one cross (note, Jesus never pluralizes it), and when we do not pick it up, other hardships will follow, but I believe that they are the ripple effect, not more crosses.