11 February (the Thursday after Ash Wednesday)
The Way of the Cross
In the Gospel message today, Jesus tells us that if we want to be his followers, we must renounce ourselves, take up the cross and follow him.Jesus Christ has taken the lead on the way of the Cross. He has suffered first.
He does not drive us toward suffering but shares it with us, wanting us to
have life and to have it in abundance.
-Pope John Paul II-
Our life is not a bed of roses. There are ups and downs, joys and sorrows, success and failures, hopes and fears - we all go through such roller-coaster of life, but if we have our faith firmly anchored on Jesus, we will be sure he is beside us on the way of the cross. All he asks of us is to empty ourselves; renounce our hatred, anger, envy, ego and live a life of truth, love and service, in accordance with his teachings; and to be conscious that whatever we do each day will be pleasing to him.
M. Scott Peck in his book, The Road Less Travelled wrote that life is difficult; but if we see this truth, understand it and accept it, then the fact that life is difficult no longer matters. Same with the Cross. Once we accept it and are willing to go through whatever trials or difficulties that life presents to us and to learn and grow from them, Grace will abound. The good Lord will bless us with peace, a divine peace that cocoon us from fear and distrust as we go through each hurdle in life; and in so doing, gain strength and wisdom to carry on our pilgrim way.
The cross will never oppress you,
Its weight might cause you to stagger,
but its strength will sustain you.
- St Padre Pio -
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