The Cross - We Embrace It

Beads of Joy 05-31-10

The Cross - We Embrace It
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

The Cross 1/5
Hello Everyone,

Not many people would openly admit that they desire to embrace their cross. So with that said, I openly admit I desire to embrace the many crosses that have been given to me, and those I have chosen. The power that is in the cross goes far beyond anything this world can ever understand. Since this weeks entire focus is on the cross, I apologize in advance if I get repetitive in any way when talking about the cross. So many of these subtopics about the cross entwine with one another. The more time you spend before the cross, the more you will find your life will be fleeing from sin and the grip of satan. Satan fears the cross, we don't, so when he sees us embrace it, he sees in us his own life end; yet when we embrace it, we only see life and our new beginning start with Jesus. Jesus suffered horribly for us on that cross, yet He embraced it knowing that by His death, He has opened the doors to the eternal life for all of us; saving us from the grip of this world and its sin. We to can find the strength we seek by also embracing the cross. If we desire to be with Jesus, then we to must suffer with Him. Every opportunity we have to suffer in pursuit of His love, we must take on willingly.

Jesus never said this was going to be easy. Scripture clearly tell us, so there are no surprises when it comes to the suffering and the crosses we to must bear. "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:16-18. So now you can plainly see how and why I am always so excited about doing God's will. I can't fully explain it all the time, but the very scripture that fills my heart with joy, I can share with you. Here's another exciting scripture. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1-2. So let's cheerfully do what Jesus expects of us, "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23. Wow, that was a lot of scripture to share. Are you starting to get excited about this cross you need to embrace?

I hope and pray that you said yes. Look at our dear sweet precious unselfish Blessed Mother. She is our example, she has gone ahead before us and took on a cross that would shame her, and that could possibly have her put to death. Yet she willingly said "yes" and did what God had requested of her. We need to be like that. No it's not meant to be easy, but then anything worth something has a price. Giving Jesus to the world cost Mary her earthly life. Saving us from death cost Jesus His earthly life. In order for us to be saved fully and completely with He who has died for us; we to must die to this earthly life. When we die from this earthly life it doesn't mean we have to leave it, on the contrary; we shed the chains that keep us attached to the death that is in it, and we embrace the cross that frees us. The fact of the matter is, if we wish to be in Heaven with Jesus, the only way is through Jesus; and through Him, we must accept the cross, and embrace it. Let us reflect on what Jesus has taught us, "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.

I invite all of you to embrace the cross without fear. Be bold, never allow anything or anyone around you to draw you away from Him. Think of it this way in this little story: "One day you were at the park and over near the benches you see this huge man who looks powerful, almost intimidating. You say to yourself, "Self.. LOL, stay away from him, he is a big dude, he looks pleasant but his power and size are scary." All of a sudden two little kids go running to him into his arms. He lifts them both and hugs and cuddles them making them giggle. So you wonder to yourself, who is this man? Then all of sudden you hear the kids saying "daddy". And you almost cry to yourself understanding the whole image of what just happened before you." No fear is in those who wish to be embraced by their father. By embracing the cross, we embrace Jesus, and by embracing Jesus we embrace God, our Father who embraces us. I pray that this week brings you Joy, a Joy that enables you to cheerful embrace any and all crosses that come to you in your life.

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO