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If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
We know we should now the question is why. A thread for encouragement to embrace our daily crosses. These are just a couple ideas I came up with; please feel free to add.
-To find new life we must pass through death. The cross was the path to the resurrection.
-2 Timothy 2:11 “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him.”
-The Sacred Heart of Jesus lovingly embraces all humanity. To conform ourselves more to Him we must humble ourselves and not run from the cross. Christ could have become a king but He chose to be a servant and embrace the cross.
-This is why the saints were so willing to suffer - they knew they were being drawn closer to the Heart of Jesus and increasing in their capacity to love.
-Helps us grow in virtue such as patience and perseverance
-Better have compassion on others
-Humility: we admit we are not in control and instead embrace what the Lord gives us - the good and the bad
-If we try to look for perfection on earth we will ultimately be disappointed; embracing our daily crosses helps us keep our eyes on Heaven and reminds us that this earth is not our home. Additionally, no matter how hard we try we cannot escape the crosses of this life. So instead of running we should embrace them lovingly by imitating Christ.
-St. Thérèse of Lisieux: “Love is the cross, and the cross is Love.” Our ultimate vocation is to become a saint; and there is no other way but the way of the cross.
How to embrace our crosses with love?
-Trust that God will give us grace beyond measure. He made Abraham the father of many nations only after he made that leap of faith by sacrificing his only son Isaac. When we embrace our crosses, Christ will give us grace and help us grow in virtue. But first we must act.
-Pick a few saints and imitate their lives. They all bore great crosses but were also very peaceful and faithful. Some that come to mind are St. John Paul the Great, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Paul and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
-Meditate on Christ’s passion. The cross is an instrument of love. When we learn to see it as such and increase in love for Our Lord, we will become more willing to embrace our own crosses.
-Redemptive suffering. I found this link very helpful as well: calledtocommunion.com/2009/08/a-catholic-reflection-on-the-meaning-of-suffering/
We know we should now the question is why. A thread for encouragement to embrace our daily crosses. These are just a couple ideas I came up with; please feel free to add.
-To find new life we must pass through death. The cross was the path to the resurrection.
-2 Timothy 2:11 “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him.”
-The Sacred Heart of Jesus lovingly embraces all humanity. To conform ourselves more to Him we must humble ourselves and not run from the cross. Christ could have become a king but He chose to be a servant and embrace the cross.
-This is why the saints were so willing to suffer - they knew they were being drawn closer to the Heart of Jesus and increasing in their capacity to love.
-Helps us grow in virtue such as patience and perseverance
-Better have compassion on others
-Humility: we admit we are not in control and instead embrace what the Lord gives us - the good and the bad
-If we try to look for perfection on earth we will ultimately be disappointed; embracing our daily crosses helps us keep our eyes on Heaven and reminds us that this earth is not our home. Additionally, no matter how hard we try we cannot escape the crosses of this life. So instead of running we should embrace them lovingly by imitating Christ.
-St. Thérèse of Lisieux: “Love is the cross, and the cross is Love.” Our ultimate vocation is to become a saint; and there is no other way but the way of the cross.
How to embrace our crosses with love?
-Trust that God will give us grace beyond measure. He made Abraham the father of many nations only after he made that leap of faith by sacrificing his only son Isaac. When we embrace our crosses, Christ will give us grace and help us grow in virtue. But first we must act.
-Pick a few saints and imitate their lives. They all bore great crosses but were also very peaceful and faithful. Some that come to mind are St. John Paul the Great, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Paul and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
-Meditate on Christ’s passion. The cross is an instrument of love. When we learn to see it as such and increase in love for Our Lord, we will become more willing to embrace our own crosses.
-Redemptive suffering. I found this link very helpful as well: calledtocommunion.com/2009/08/a-catholic-reflection-on-the-meaning-of-suffering/
