EMBRACING YOUR COMFORTS AND CROSSES THIS LENT IS CHOOSING LIFE.

CHOOSE LIFE TODAY.  

"Jesus said to his disciples: “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.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 

"What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Luke 9: 22 - 25). 

Thursday March 6, 2025 is Thursday after Ash Wednesday. 

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must take up his cross daily and follow Me.

“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.”  (Luke 9: 22)

At the beginning of Lent 2025, we hear Jesus speaking of the absolute necessity, the inevitability of His suffering.   Why is the Spirit giving us this Scripture now?  Consider these reasons:

#1.  Are you fully aware of the power of the cross and the necessity of your own suffering?

#2.  No following of Christ without suffering.  Rejection of the cross is rejection of Jesus Christ.  (Pope Benedict XVI).

#3.  The Son of Man must suffer before His glorification.  (Luke 24: 26).  What is a divine necessity for Jesus is true for us.

There are 37 Doctors of the Church,  great men and women who clarified our doctrine of faith and showed us by example how to live the Christian life.  They all suffered either physical, emotional and spiritual pains. Everyone of them know something about the comforts and crosses of Gospel. But each one of them accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings. 

SUMMARY:

The 40 Days of Lent is 40 Days to get us ready for Easter. For life! 

Our suffering is blessing in disguise.  No cross, no crown. 

So at the beginning of Lent 2025,  the mystery and contradiction of the cross is set before us to grapple with.

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession were left unassisted. Full of confidence in your power I fly unto you and beg your protection. Despise not O Guardian of the Redeemer my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.

For Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/devotion-to-st-joseph.html?m=1