“O God, you are my God whom I seek.” [Psalm 63]  We seek God not for God’s sake, but for our sake, to become all that we can be.  St. Paul challenges us to walk the walk of Christianity.  As disciples of Jesus we are not be conformed to this age, we are called to live in this world, but not succumb to the secular values so pervasive in our society.

 

Jesus tells us to “… take up our cross and follow [Him].”  But what does “take up your cross” mean?  St. Augustine said, “It means bearing whatever is unpleasant – that is following [Jesus].  Once you to follow [Him] by conforming your life to my commandments, you will find many contradict you, forbid you, dissuade you ….  Therefore, if you meet with threats, flattery, or opposition, let this be your cross; pick it up and carry it.”  [Commentary by St. Augustine, Sunday Web Site, St. Louis University]

 

 

The famous American poet Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.  One that has made all the difference.”  [The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost]  That is what we are called to do - travel the road of Christ in our lives and by our actions.

Our logo is the resurrected cross, because the final victory is God’s.  When we bless ourselves, we make the sign of the cross, may it remind us of God's undying love for us and of our call to love and serve one another.  The cross that Jesus asks us to take up is not a cross that ends with the crucifixion but the cross points to the resurrection.  If we are true to Jesus' call to discipleship, we will find ourselves embracing values [that are outside of the mainstream in America today].  Reflect on the Resurrected Cross [pictured below] with Jesus bursting through it, reminding us that the crosses we carry can lead us to a deeper awareness of the Lord in our lives.  

For a few minutes, think about the crosses you have been carrying, or will carry this week, then, offer them up for those who are suffering from racism in our nation and/or for those staring the long arduous recovery process from the COVID 19 Pandemic.

May God Be Praised!