Taking Up the Cross

Take a walk with me as we journey through this last Friday before Holy Week begins. The last day before the mundane days of Lent take on the true celebration of who we are as Catholic Christians. The reason we are who we are, the reason we endeavor to walk and live this life of holiness, though it be fraught with pot holes, road blocks, greed, and selfishness. Please reflect on the words of John Shea.

Taking Up the Cross

Taking up the cross comes with the territory of discipleship. Once we begin to be as compassionate and inclusive as Jesus, we rankle other people. They make moves against us and we begin to suffer.

At this moment, we are invited to adopt an attitude toward our suffering. Here is a teenager's rendition of how Jesus suggests we should act:

Jesus was no dummy. He sees the cross coming. Look at what he was doing! He's touching qll the unclean people, eating with outcasts, breaking up the temple money game, criticizing corruption. He wants a better world, but a lot of people are doing real well in the world as it is. They are not going to give up and fade away. This is notnew.

Now Peter--there's a dummy. Jesus lays it out for yim--the cross, the resurrection, the whoe thing--and he says, "No way."

Jesus is not happy.

So Jesus says to him, "Not only for me but you too, Peter."

So now Peter is not happy.

So Jesus tells him--and here's the thing I like--Jesus tells him, "Don't let them lay the cross on you, Peter. Take it up. Don't let them lay it on you. Take it up."

Wow! You gotta love Jesus for that.

When we know the price of following Jesus and are willing to pay it, the inevitable sufferings do not make us victims. We become provocative, taking into ourselves the cost of discipleship.

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Engage the struggle for a better world;
embrace the suffering that comes with it.

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Enough said!! Have a blessed and holy Friday!

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Thanks be to GOD!!!

Saint Teresa of the Andes and Carmelites of Chile

Juanita Fernandez Solar was born to a wealthy family on July 10 1900, in Santiago, Chile. Devoted to her faith and inspired by the autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux, she entered the cloistered community of the Discalced Carmelites ... She was given the name of Sister Therea of Jesus. Her deep spiritual life was revealed in the many letters she wrote while in the convent.

But Teresa's life as a religious was to be short. She died...less than a year later during Holy Week, on April 12, 1920, a few months before her 20th birthday.

She was canonized in 1993.

The Little Black Book
Lent, 2009

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Thanks be to God!

April Fools Day Humor

Art by Mary Engelbreit

With all the jokes and pranks yet to be pulled today, I thought I would offer this one. Sent me by a friend, I hope you will enjoy it and chuckle a bit.

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!"

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.'

Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

So it is that we are grateful for a sense of humor. Laughter is healing and beneficial, so today do not loose that sense of humor and be sure and laugh at yourself. Don't take yourself too seriously. Frown lines will develop if you do!

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THANKS BE TO GOD!!

It's My Anniversary!

Today I have been blogging for two years. Come celebrate with me, friends! Have a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of banana nut bread. We can chat and share old memories! It's been a grand journey and I want to thank you all for sharing it with me!

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Thanks be to God!

Peace

"Peace be with you."
Luke 23:36

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Thanks be to God!

Sam and Duchess, 3/29/2009