“The Cross is the crucible in which God fashions
saints.”
The
Cross is the big melting pot
in
which we are bent,
broken,
challenged,
changed,
melted,
warped,
and
formed.
Formed
to the shape of the Cross.
The
shaped that saved us from eternal death.
The
shape that will lead us to holiness.
It’s
like taking medicine though,
we
know it will make us better,
but
we just don’t want to do it.
We
know that the Cross will benefit our lives
but
we have decided that we deserve to not suffer.
We
think of our crosses as these big giant issues,
health
problems,
money
issues,
family
tiffs
but
really,
some
of the most
challenging
and
beautiful crosses that we can carry
are
the minuscule daily ones.
The
ones that we don’t even think of as crosses.
The
little things that make us groan
and
complain.
Sometimes
I wonder how much I would actually have to say to people
if
I was forbidden from complaining.
I’m
guessing I would be a very quiet person.
All
this day in and day out complaining
could
instead be conversation.
Conversation
with Christ.
Relating
to Christ,
thanking
Christ for the Cross.
“May Jesus and his Cross reign forever.”
Suffering,
trials,
and
little inconveniences throughout the day
should
not be dreaded.
Remember,
they
are what is leading us to holiness.
What
should change is the way in which we respond to them.
I
know I’m not thankful for my crosses,
I
don’t normally ask for help in carrying them,
and
definitely not asking for them to reign forever.
But
maybe I should.
After
all,
they
are leading us to holiness.
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This Lenten blog series is based upon St. Louis de
Montfort's writings. Unless otherwise noted, all the phrases in quotation marks
are taken from the book Jesus Living
in Mary.
A.M.D.G.
ReplyDeleteThe weight of the cross...each cross that we must bear...there are those little crosses which we encounter daily...BUT there is also the BIG cross that some of us have to bear...it is in embracing this cross where we are transformed into the likeness of Our Lord...it is in the embracing of our cross that we are dying to "self" and becoming more and more like Him.
I have one particular cross to bear and I realized just yesterday that this particular cross is having physical effects upon my body...this cross is "killing" me...I realized that this cross is killing my "self" and through it...as I embrace it (which isn't an easy thing to do in itself) my "self" will slowly dissipate and I will be crucified...thereby becoming likened unto Christ crucified and overcoming the spiritual death that keeps me on this cross.
Glory and praise to Our Lord Jesus Christ!
+Amen
Mrs.O.