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 Friday, 16th Week in Ordinary Time July 26, 2024, Matthew 13: 18-23 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072624.cfm Listen and Understand. How much the
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Feast of St. James, Apostle July 25, 2024, Matthew 20:20-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072524.cfm The Scallop. The beach is a great attraction for
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Wednesday 16th Week in Ordinary Time July 24, 2024, Matthew 13:1-9 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072424.cfm Jesus and the Draft. Drafts play a
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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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