Jesus Carries His Cross

Today we enter The Easter Triduum, the most important days in Jesus' suffering and our redemption from sin. If you can, please make the time to attend Mass this evening as the church remembers the washing of the feet and the last supper. Tonight, Jesus will find Himself in agony in the garden because in the next 24 hours, He will be put to death. Join Him in His suffering.

The Fourth Sorrowful Mystery:
Our Lord Carries His Cross to Calvary

"Bearing His own cross, Jesus went out of the city to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew: Golgotha." - John 19:17

Imagine our beaten, bleeding, crying Messiah walking through the streets toward His death, with His cross on His back. Can you see all the people laughing at Him? Some are crying. Some don't even care. His body must ache so badly after all He's been through. He hasn't even had anything to eat or drink. I don't even know how He managed to keep walking, but He did. He persevered because what He was going through, the cross He was carrying, was the work of God.

Our first reaction when we are given a cross to bear is that we don't want to and we don't deserve it. However, after sin entered the world, no one ever guaranteed us that life would be blissful and happy. On the contrary, while on earth we will deal with pain, suffering and all kinds of hurt and evil. That's why Jesus died, so that after death, we can enter Heaven and finally live in peace. But since we're still on earth, we need to bear the crosses we carry - caring for sick relatives, living with disease, dealing with financial trouble, coping with addictions, and doing the will of God by being good to others even when they don't deserve it. You see, it is ONLY in suffering, that we acquire strength and we grow. Those who don't suffer never build character. If we accept our lot in life and ask God for help, He will help us carry that cross and we grow closer to Him, earning our entry into Heaven.When I think of Jesus in His passion, I only feel sorry for the pain He was going through, but I know that during His passion is actually when He was the strongest! We don't look at suffering with the eyes of the body, but with the eyes of the soul which tell us that here, we are with God and we are more than conquerors against anything the devil throws at us. Pick up the cross you may be telling God to remove from you, and in the Name of Jesus Christ, carry it in victory for your God and for your soul.

Today's Prayer:

Mary, mother of God, pray for us so that we may see that it is only through suffering that we grow stronger in spirit and faith. Pray so that the Lord takes away our fears and we may join Him in His walk to Calvary.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

O, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls into Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." - Acts 1:8

There are times that although we believe in God, our faith falters. Sometimes we find ourselves calling out to God and not finding the strength we need to go on. Did you know that the Holy Spirit is the power of God in action? He is the one that fills us, moves in us and gives us the strength we need to go on. He is a powerful force that engulfs and transforms us.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the apostles were terrified and in hiding. Jesus promised that He would not leave them alone and that promise was fulfilled by the coming of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, while the apostles were praying, the Holy Spirit came down upon them as a powerful force that transformed them so that they were never the same again. He uplifted them and gave them strength and courage to stand for what they believed in and face their oppressors. If you're going through any type of rough patch right now, call on the Holy Spirit, the power and force of God to fill you and work through you. Just as He did with the apostles, He will build you up. If you need advice or guidance on something, call on the Holy Spirit and He will light a path in front of you to follow.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit. When we don't have strength, Your Spirit comes in to build us up. Help me to always stay open to receiving Your graces and letting You work through me. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Don't Be a Victim

"In all of this we are more than conquerors, thanks to Him who has loved us." - Romans 8:37

I see a lot of people who drown in a glass of water and up until a few months ago, I was just like them. Yes, I do get stressed and panicky from time to time, but if the love of God has taught me anything, it's that He takes care of me no matter what. All I do, even the smallest things, even on a day I forget to say my morning prayers, He watches over and defends me on.

This realization gave my faith a major boost. When something happens or I get apprehensive about something in the future, I worry for a second but then my next thought is "Lord, I know it will be ok because You are taking care of me!" and then all is well in my mind. So realize, that you are more than a conqueror in everything! Right before this verse Paul talks about trials, anguish, hunger, lack of clothing, danger, persecution - a lot of horrible things, yet, in all and through all these things, we are more than conquerors. In God, we not only make it through, but we come out better than before!!! So pick up your droopy head! Put a smile on your face and bring back the joy to your heart! God has called you! God loves you and wants you to know that He has made you more than a conqueror in that problem you're facing! Believe this and get your hope back! A favorite preacher of mine, Joel Osteen, loves to say "In God, you are not a victim, you are a victor!" And until you begin to feel that God made you more than a conqueror, you will always make yourself a victim.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I believe with all my heart that You make me more than a conqueror. Although a problem is big to me, it is nothing to You. It's just another way for You to show Your greatness. Help me to show those that are sad around me Your love so that they can walk in victory. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Give Up The Control To God

"Bow down, then, before the power of God so that He will raise you up at the appointed time. Place all your worries on Him since He takes care of you." - 1st Peter 5:6-7

When God commands something of us, our initial reaction a lot of times is to rebel. His commandments are against what the flesh wants to accept. This verse above has 3 key parts and once you overcome the first part, the rest will follow easily.

Bow down, then, before the power of God - no matter what you're facing right now, health issues, financial issues, personal issues, God is bigger than that, but first you need to realize that God is also bigger than you and any effort that you are making to solve your own problems. Bowing down to God means to go before Him and recognize that on your own, you are nothing. Empty your heart out to Him and recognize that He is the Lord, the King, and you are His servant. When you come to this realization, as hard as it is to let go of the control, you will see the way He moves in your life. You will begin to trust in Him.

At the appointed time means that never too early, but always right on time, you will see the work of His hands in you and you will be astonished at how beautifully things start coming together. While you see your prayers being answered externally at due time, internally God is working to create a new heart in you - a heart that craves to always be connected to this new love you have found in Him. A heart that trusts Him and feels joy in spreading His word and pain in seeing others abuse it.

Then at the last step, placing all your worries on Him because He takes care of you, you recognize that you are completely His and you know that whatever comes at you, is no match for your God who loves you. Your only worry becomes pleasing Him, abandoning yourself to His will and absolutely knowing that He has you in the palm of His hand protecting you.

Go and bow down before His power and get to know this extraordinary love and care.

Today's Prayer:
My God, I empty myself before you because I recognize that without you, I am nothing. I am the work of Your hands and I wish wholeheartedly to abandon myself to Your will. Help me to trust in You and wait patiently on Your deliverance from all my worries and anxieties. In Your Name we pray, Amen.

Let Him Be Your God

"We ourselves do not know what to do; but we look to You." - 2nd Chronicles 20:12

God gave us many wonderful qualities but one of them is definitely not omnipotence. Many times we throw our problems on our shoulders as impossible as they are, as if we could actually do something about them. Problems at work, with money, in health and in relationships often times lead us to brick walls that we try to break down. It's great to work hard, it's great to perservere and that's what God wants us to do, but we need to understand that we ourselves are not God. We do not have the power to work out all of our problems. He is God for a reason and we should let Him take care of our troubles.

If there is something you are facing or something you know you need and there is no conceivable way of breaking through, place all of your worries on Him and do the best that you can. Sit and wait for His deliverance because although you might want it immediately, He will send it at the perfect time. How wonderful it is to know that we have as God someone so powerful that we can rest in Him while He sorts everything out, out of His love for us!

Yesterday I asked for you to encourage one another with your testimonies. It is in the praising of God's work that our faith is strengthened. I was sent a couple of stories and I chose the following as two different examples of how God works. In the first, this person experienced a hardship that needed an immediate solution. Placing all his faith in the Lord, he let God assume the role of God in his life and was blessed. In the second story, this person went through a longer struggle, but all the while, God was with her as well as she chose to look to Jesus Christ as her example. In both cases, God showed His loving care and mercy and in both cases, God acted at the most perfect time.

Testimony #1:"
Being self employed, I've always conditioned myself to make sure I have money set aside for all my bills.During a particularly slow period, I had been down to my last $400 in my checking account.Now most folks would've panicked becausemoney was not due to me for several weeks (Most clients pay within a 30 day window!).But I was extremely calm and at ease during this week because I knew that God would be there for me.Now, I think God won't "hook you up with $50 bucks so you can go to the club", but if there is a REAL need, sincerityand love in your heart, God will never let you down.A week before my bills were due, I received a check "earlier than expected".By the end of the next month, I had roughly $8200 in my checking account.Was I surprised? No. Grateful. Yes. And always astounded by God's gestures. Large and small.My Mom would always tell me, "God will squeeze but he'll never choke you!". LOLI've lived by that since the late 80's and I've always been thankful and faithful that Godwill "hook me up". When I am in real need, truly sincere and honestly grateful.Whether it's a check to pay bills, a friend to talk me off a "ledge" or just a perfect parking spot!God always "hooks this brother up"!"

Testimony #2:
"My goal is to make it to grad school. My professors and advisors tell me I need to be above a 3.5 average. This semester I took 19 credits (6 classes), worked part time, volunteered in a psych lab, started to cook everyday, and had to manage spending some time with my son. Having gone to school all year long I felt I was burning out. It was towards the end of the semester, and I knew I was not doing well. I wanted to give up. My grandfather saw me one day and told me I looked skinny and pale - he said he was going to pray for me and then advised that I should pray also. I ignored him as I always did, but that night at 3 am whileI was up cryingfrom stress and exhaustionI asked God to give me strength --- I did not pray I just asked but I asked with my heart truly open. He answered my prayers.Next day I woke up and did not rush. I was calm as if I had nothing to do.I thought Ihad just given up butthen realized that I had foundpeace - I was able to just live and realize I need to take it one day at a time and not try to conquer the world in an hour!Anytime I see my selfchasing after my tail I stop and and remember the stories my Grandfather once read to me describing Jesus' patience. I remind myself to be more like that. Surprisingly,I ended my semester with a 3.64."

If you have anything you want to share, please send them along because this is all for the glory of God!

Today's Prayer:
Thank You my Lord for being my God and Savior. Thank You for looking kindly upon me and for promising to take care of me no matter how great my troubles are. I believe in You and ask for the strength to continue in Your path everyday. In Your Name we pray, Amen.