Take Up Your Cross

BEADS OF JOY 03-02-17

“Take Up Your Cross”

©2017 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: 

Luke 9:22-25 (Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection)

"The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”

Reflection:
As difficult as it maybe to understand, it is through the cross of Jesus Christ; that we will gain freedom and victory in this life over sin and even death. Taking up our own cross involves sacrifice and even suffering at times; I know this personally and I know many of you do know this as well. But in the fullest understanding of suffering we must not fear suffering. I know that may not make much sense and no I don’t seek out and desire suffering; but understanding that suffering is truly the gateway to our victory is so important. But we must be strong enough in our faith and in our belief in Jesus Christ; to never allow anything in this world to weaken that faith. There is nothing in this world worth losing eternity in Heaven with Jesus over. Nothing!

It is through our surrending fully to God and to His Will in our lives, that we will begin to fully understand; how Jesus’ death and His cross and our cross, by the mercy of God gives us freedom. All of this tied into our faith and love for our Lord and our love for one another helps bring all this together. But it is through a true surrender of “self” that gives us the best perspective that we need to serve our Lord first. Fully surrendering to our own selfish wants and desires and placing God’s Will first and foremost in our lives, will change who we are and we will become humble.

We must lose our lives, not die, that’s not what our Lord requires of us; losing our lives is more about surrendering and refocusing on Jesus. Our allegiance, our resources, our goals, our focus should be on the things that God asks of us. I know many of you think I am crazy for saying all that; but since we are Gods children and we are to be like Jesus, then we are wasting much time in this life focusing on things that will pass, while instead we should be focusing on that which is eternal. Everything in this life will remain here when we are gone; all our possessions here will go to someone else, nothing of this world can be packed away in our casket and make it through the pearly gates. So, let us focus on what really matters.

Pondering these thoughts today: In order to gain everything, you must be willing to lose it all. What could there possibly be in this life that would make you want to lose everything (Eternity with Jesus) that you would prefer it over and above our Lord? This life we live is a gift from God, we must or at least we should be using this time and all our talents and treasures to honor our Lord and lead others to Him. “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” ~Luke 9:25

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e3fkgLT30c

Rosary Man Jim's Luminous Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-luminous-mysteries.html