The Crosses in our Lives

Beloved parishioners, 

     It is the third week of Lent already. Before we notice, this graced season will once again be behind us. We must, therefore, be intentional in making the most of this season. Although Easter is not as commercialized as Christmas, we could find ourselves preoccupied with how to celebrate Easter when we have not spent time during Lent to prepare ourselves for the great feast. Lent is about deepening our relationship with God who enters into a covenant with us. This relationship, nurtured by prayer, would result in the transfiguration of our hearts and minds as we would be permeated by the light of the Lord, who is our salvation. 

     Last week we read in the gospel how Jesus showed his glory in order to prepare the disciples for his impending Passion. By this he demonstrated that his suffering and death on the cross are not the end, but a glory awaits him in the Resurrection. This is instructive for us as we go through this world carrying our own sufferings and death.: this suffering is not the end, merely something to endure. This week I want to deepen this reflection on the crosses in our lives. 

     St. Paul calls out those who are oriented to this world. In contrast, he urges his audience to embrace a heavenward mindset. While we live in this world, we must never forget that we are citizens of heaven; and from there we expect a Savior who will transform our lowly bodies to conform with his glorious body. It is sometimes questionable whether this belief informs how we live now. St. Paul seems to suggest that some, by their conduct, constitute themselves as enemies of the cross (Philippians 3:18-19). They are so occupied with satisfying their earthly desires, the craving for material possessions, the desire for power and fame, and the desire to be worshipped rather than to worship. These people shy away from the cross and seek every opportunity to evade or reject whatever seems to impinge on their endless quest for comfort and pleasure. 

     Do you consider yourself a friend or an enemy of the cross of Christ? Do you gladly accept whatever crosses the Lord sends your way or do you grumble at every cross you are asked to carry? Is your cross making you abandon the Lord? Do you prefer the appraisal of human beings while neglecting to enter into a sincere covenantal relationship with God? This Lent, make a commitment to run toward the cross rather than away from it. 

     The cross we are called to carry could be, among other things, a daily Holy Hour, an extra time in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; it could be waking up early in the morning and offering the early hours of your day to the Lord in prayer. It could be asking you to spend less time on your phone and giving that time to reading and meditating on sacred Scripture. Your cross could be that God is asking you to give up that bad relationship that is a constant occasion for sin, and does not allow you to live a pure and chaste life; it might be to give up that relationship that weakens your prayer life and makes you an enemy of the cross of Christ; it might be that the Jesus is asking you to change your attitude to him in the Eucharist by making a sincere confession before receiving Holy Communion or to stop receiving Holy Communion in a state of sin.  What crosses is the Lord asking you to carry this Lent and how are you carrying them?

May Jesus bless you, and may Our Lady protect you!

Fr. Julius