Monday, July 16, 2018

Take His Cross


BEADS OF JOY 07-16-18
“Take His Cross”
©2018 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,


Today’s Gospel:
Matthew 10:34-11:1 (Conditions of Discipleship)
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.”

Reflection:
Here’s is something to consider: Do you plan your day around Our Lord? It is something to consider and by doing so; it shows Him that you are placing Him first, in all that you plan to do, with each day He has given you. Do you begin your day with prayer? Do you pray before each meal? Do you Thank Him immediately after any and all situations good or bad; what you wanted or what you didn’t regardless? Is He truly the first one you think of when you wake you? The last one on your mind as you close your eyes? If you totally 100% put Jesus first in your life all these answers would be an overwhelming YES.

Take a look at this verse: “…and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

We must be strong and not lose faith when we have our cross to bear. In this life we all will have crosses to bear. Jesus tells us in this verse that we will have trials and challenges in this life. He did. Now how we handle them, will help us gain strength, build character and make us worthy before God. Trusting Him is key. Our Lord will not allow us to be crushed by our cross, He will always help us carry it; but we must not complain and become weakened under it. Pray more and Trust more and our Lord will see us through each and every trial. His Will is what we must desire above and beyond our own selfishness. I know we don’t always know His Will, so we must trust in the outcome that God has a purpose in all things.

Now take a look at this verse: “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.”


Not to Bring Peace, But a Sword


Take Up Your Cross Daily
 (BONUS) John Michael Talbot


Pondering these thoughts today: Jesus doesn’t want you or me to have no life, He only wants our lives to be all about Him. Do we put Him first? That is the key. If our own selfish ways and needs and desires MUST be top priority, then we did not “lose our life”. But if we put Jesus and prayer and others first, we can go fishing, play football and enjoy the family BBQ’s, without losing out on the joys of our life, that Jesus has given us. But He must come first always. It is a hard teaching. Prayer and adoration and real love for our Lord; through the power of the Holy Spirit will lead you.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

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

Today is Monday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind & Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Monday mornings, because every morning begins with the Rosary.


MY FIRST BOOK.
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)

MY SECOND BOOK.
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/