There are things in life we must do. For example, if we want to go fishing, we must get some bait or lures, or if we’re running in a marathon, we must practice every day. If we’re going to pay our bills, we must get a steady job. And, if we want to follow Jesus, we must pick up our cross with Him every day.
The cross isn’t something we choose. There is a story of someone who thought his cross was too heavy, so he cut some off it. It was still too heavy, so he cut some more off. Then a third time, he did the same thing. Finally, he came to a deep drop-off, but he could see the other side. He couldn’t jump that far, so he thought, “I will lay my cross over the drop-off and walk across.” But, wouldn’t you know it, his cross was too short. He was stuck where he was in life and couldn’t advance. After that, things didn’t seem to work out.
The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Jesus knew if He cut His cross to suit himself, we would be in our sins forever and never live eternally. There would be no salvation. It was a huge decision. So, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish. (Matthew 18:14). Jesus couldn’t let that happen. He stayed the course.
We have to do the same, says Jesus. Sometimes we want to cut our crosses to a size we can manage. However, picking up your cross daily is something we can’t avoid to be saved by Jesus. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it” (Matt. 16:25). The cross we are dealt with in life is custom-made to get to heaven. So let’s not short-change ourselves. No more running away. Is there a cross or two that we have avoided in the past? Ask Jesus to help you pick it up again. What will you do, this time with Him?
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 1st Week of Advent December 5, 2023, Luke 10:21-24 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120523.cfm INTIMACY LEADS TO TRUST! All through His life, Jesus
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday, 1st Week of Advent December 4, 2023, Matthew 8:5-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120423.cfm Amaze Jesus? Really. Oscar Rodriguez is a fan of
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for the 1st Sunday in Advent 2024 December 3, 2023, Mark 13:33-37 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120323.cfm Here He Comes. Do you remember people camping
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time, December 2, 2023, Luke 21:34-36 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120223.cfm The End Times – A New Beginning. Jesus
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Thursday after Ash Wednesday – 03-03-2022
Thursday after Ash Wednesday 2022
Luke 9:22-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030322.cfm
“MUST” IS A STRONG WORD.
There are things in life we must do. For example, if we want to go fishing, we must get some bait or lures, or if we’re running in a marathon, we must practice every day. If we’re going to pay our bills, we must get a steady job. And, if we want to follow Jesus, we must pick up our cross with Him every day.
The cross isn’t something we choose. There is a story of someone who thought his cross was too heavy, so he cut some off it. It was still too heavy, so he cut some more off. Then a third time, he did the same thing. Finally, he came to a deep drop-off, but he could see the other side. He couldn’t jump that far, so he thought, “I will lay my cross over the drop-off and walk across.” But, wouldn’t you know it, his cross was too short. He was stuck where he was in life and couldn’t advance. After that, things didn’t seem to work out.
The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Jesus knew if He cut His cross to suit himself, we would be in our sins forever and never live eternally. There would be no salvation. It was a huge decision. So, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish. (Matthew 18:14). Jesus couldn’t let that happen. He stayed the course.
We have to do the same, says Jesus. Sometimes we want to cut our crosses to a size we can manage. However, picking up your cross daily is something we can’t avoid to be saved by Jesus. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it” (Matt. 16:25). The cross we are dealt with in life is custom-made to get to heaven. So let’s not short-change ourselves. No more running away. Is there a cross or two that we have avoided in the past? Ask Jesus to help you pick it up again. What will you do, this time with Him?
IGNITE THE FIRE
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
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