What Makes a Terrible Friday, Good?

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE.

STATION XI: JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS

The time has come. Shouts of pain echo as hammers strike nails. Roman soldiers were experts in torture and efficient in execution. Nails tear through sacred flesh and the blood that won our salvation flows out. As the Cross is lifted high for all to see, His body buckles under the weight and the stress. As He speaks words of love, compassion and forgiveness, we see that He is not just a criminal, teacher or prophet. He is God, and He is dying on a Cross for you.


STATION XII: JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS:

The skies have grown dark Rain falls. The earth quakes. Creation reacts to the loss of its Creator. Evil laughs as the transfigured One now hangs lifeless and disfigured. The angels remain silent. The Lord let Himself be destroyed. No more words. No more miracles. Christ does nothing to save Himself yet offers everything to save us. It is finished.

REFLECTION:

Christ could have saved himself, but he chose to save us. He didn't choose the easy path. When Jesus allowed himself to endure the pain of the cross, he was telling us something.He was showing us that there is no pain we can feel, that he hasn't already felt. He is showing us how far he is willing to go to save us. He would rather die, than risk not spending eternity without  us. As the hammer hits the nails, we hear the sound of true love. 

As Jesus breathed his last breath, everyone against him thought it was over. They were wrong. Sin, not God, was being destroyed. His sacrifice makes you worthy of heaven. God wants us to be with him eternally-- He gives us this invitation but it is up to us to respond. Christ laid down his life for us- even though we cannot do that, there is much we can do. Live your life in a way that you lay down your life for others, so that others may see Christ in you. 

~If you would like to love God,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you hope for eternal happiness,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you wonder how much

 God loves you,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you wonder how much

 God wants you in heaven,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you wonder how God

 tries to prevent you

 from the yawning jaws of hell,

 look at the Crucifix!

~If you wonder how much

 God will help you to save your immortal soul,

look at the Crucifix!

 ~If you wonder how much

 you should forgive others,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you wonder how much

 your faith demands of you,

in humility, poverty, charity, meekness

 and every virtue,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you want to know

 what unselfishness and generosity are,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you wonder how far

 your own unselfishness

should go to bring others to Christ,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you want to understand

 the need 

for self-denial and mortification,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you wish to live well,

look at the Crucifix!

~If you wish to die well,

look at the Crucifix!

The Crucifix - the Book of Life!

~Saint Thomas Aquinas

Stripped

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE.

STATION X: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

The walk has ended but the mockery  has not. Jesus is now stripped of his last earthly possession – his Clothing. Exposed for all to see, His wounds are clearly visible now - as are the fruits of our sins: the cruelty of man and the presence of evil. The shame of Adam's nakedness bore witness to his sin but the
shame of Christ's nakedness bears witness to our sin. Onlookers stare and soldiers gamble as Jesus awaits the final insult.

REFLECTION:

I can't imagine how humiliating it would have felt to feel Jesus' pain during this mockery.  The evil of the soldiers looked powerful to others, but He knew who held the true power. I think it is necessary for us to encounter "soldiers" as well. Sometimes people spread rumors, or talk behind our backs because we are different. I think that being a young Catholic Christian in this time is like being a target for others to watch and shame with every human mistake we make. When we profess our faith, go to Mass, wear a mantilla, pray at the abortion clinic, or like my husband, give out miraculous medals at the fair, we set ourselves apart from "the world." We notice our friends list beginning to fade-- less invites from those who used to call us friends, more space between us and those we used to hang around. People don't like holiness because from the outside it seems so powerless. People like to be in charge and aren't ready to give up this world, for Him. It might mean avoiding things that others don't seem as "a big deal" or it might mean standing up for your beliefs, even if the rest of the world thinks "you're crazy." Even though we have the ability to fight back in the assault-- we don't. Our silence is much more powerful-- our prayer and forgiveness of them is much more powerful. Power isn't with the soldiers that ridiculed Him, but in the grace that he knows will come of being crucified. Power is within those that set themselves apart.

St. Josemaria Escriva tell us that,"A heart which loves the things of the earth beyond measure is like one fastened by a chain — or by a “ fine thread” — which stops it flying to God." Jesus had to expose everything, while being mocked, insulted, and ridiculed. If Jesus, the Son of God had to endure such belittlement, why wouldn't we? Living as a Christian, setting yourself apart to be holy, will  break the chain we have between our worldly desires and God. Changing doesn't just change our lives, but the lives of the people we encounter. 

A Cross Without a Cross

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE.

STATION IX: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME:

The Spirit of Christ is willing but the flesh is showing weakness. It's as if the Lord's soul is now dragging His body along the Way of the Cross. Exhaustion builds. His lungs are failing. The temple that He would raise in three days - the temple of His body – has now fallen a third time, His knees are bloodied from the previous falls. His legs are almost lifeless. The weight of the Cross grows heavier and another step seems impossible. He rises from the ground one last time reminding us that perfect love endures all things.

REFLECTION:

Sometimes I think my best attribute can be quitting things! Whatever our challenges are, we have moments of quitting-- moments where we say- "I will never be perfect, so why try?" The devil whispers in our ears how easy it would be to stop challenging ourselves and give in to the lust, gluttony, or greed we struggle with. It is natural to want to stop, but supernatural to get up again.

St. Josemaria Escriva says, " —See how lovingly He embraces the Cross. —Learn from Him. —Jesus carries the Cross for you: you... carry it for Jesus. But don't drag the Cross... Carry it squarely on your shoulder, because your Cross, if you carry it so, will not be just any Cross: it will be... the Holy Cross. Don't bear your Cross with resignation: resignation is not a generous word. Love the Cross. When you really love it, your Cross will be... a Cross, without a Cross. And surely you, like Him, will find Mary on the way."

Sometimes life hits us out of no where. We can barely muster up the strength to wake up, let alone pray. When you are down, look at the cross. Jesus will help carry you. It is in the midst of our pain where we reach a point that we don't have another ounce of energy to fight off our struggle. When we look at the cross, Jesus fills our breath, our heart, and wipes our tears.. When we come out of our struggle, we realize that He was there. He was there all along-- carrying us, and our cross.

Reason to Sing

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE.

STATION VIII: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

The sound of crying could be heard over the taunts and the jeers. It was a wailing so passionate that it caught our Lord's attention even in the midst of His own agony. Jesus' eyes scanned the onlookers, spotting a group of women weeping for Him. And now Christ, the Suffering Servant, would reach out to ease others' suffering yet again. "Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves ... "(Luke 23:27-28).  He consoles them yet challenges them to see beyond just this moment. He offers a vital perspective to the children of God. Jesus Christ was on a mission. Love is always on a mission.

REFLECTION:

Suffering must be part of our growing. I think God allows us to make our choices, so that when we choose him, it is because we freely want to. Infertility is one of my ongoing battles in the suffering department. It isn't the only suffering I endure, but it has been a common thread for nearly four years now. A good friend once told me "Anna, throw yourself at God-- he can handle you beating on his chest-- he can handle your scream of frustration. He understands." So I did. I let him have it-- one day when I just couldn't swallow my suffering anymore. Because of that moment, and the trials I have faced, I found myself closer to him. Our love for Him is tested in our trials-- and those around us may wonder "how on Earth did you get through that trial in your life?" Our answer is merely a motion-- we signal to God.  He is our reason to sing. Suffering helps us to grow in compassion, gratitude and dependence on God, your loving Father. Sometimes we are in sickness or standing by watching as a loved one suffers. There is nothing we can do. Sometimes we don't even have the words or strength to open our mouths to pray. If we trust in Him-- we will be led to Him. Just as when we exercise, our muscles tear. It hurts, but it is necessary for us if we want to grow! So too, in suffering, our hearts tear, so they can  be mended by Him. As St. Augustine said, "God had one Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering. He knows our pain, and can feel us suffering in our darkest night-- we must remember that after every night, comes day.

Get Back Up

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE.

STATION VII: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

The Passover crowds press against him as Jesus makes His way through the narrow city streets. Every bump or collision with the crowd sends shock waves of pain throughout his body. His open wounds clot to the wood of the Cross. His Sacred Heart races, His blood pressure drops, and Jesus falls once again. How easy it would be to give up, but He did not. Overwhelmed not by pain but by love - the Father's love for us - Jesus presses on. He slowly rises, for He knows His walk is not yet done.

REFLECTION:

Most of the time we fall, it is because we choose to fall. It is because of sin. Sin is glamorous (that excessive meal we stuffed ourselves with, that affair we thought about having to escape our reality, the shame we avoided when we purposefully skipped confession and yet received The Holy Eucharist). Sin tricks us into thinking we have control, when we really only have some-- our free will. Even when we run away from Jesus, he is waiting and following us. As we run away, we fall into the arms of sin, and our choices lead to a storm-- a storm of suffering that we can't see through. Jesus tells us to trust in him because he can mold us into perfection. We are either clay or stone-- we are either malleable or not---if we are stone he will chisel away at us-- until we reach our potential; he will always be working on us--- we will be  molded one way or another-- the choice is up to us. He turns our tears into laughter and lifts us when we fall. Sin wants us to fall-- and stay there. God wants us to come to him. So get up. Brush yourself off. You aren't perfect and THAT'S OKAY!  Head to the confessional, the adoration chapel, or just kneel where you are. Make that call to your spiritual companion. Start that group. Free yourself. Deny the urge that all of us will encounter. Pray without ceasing! It is in the lowest point of sin that we decide to become our greatest. Don't settle for the fall. Remember: every Saint has a past--- every sinner has a future!

Love Defines True Charity

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE.

STATION VI: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

Sacred blood runs down the Savior's face. Sweat drips into His swollen eyes as He sees a figure moving slowly towards Him. A woman named Veronica extends more than a cloth to her Lord, she offers a compassionate heart to a passionate soul. The Holy Spirit animates this daughter of God to offer her hands and her towel in service of the wounded Son. Evil may have spit in the face of Love, but love would now wash it clean again, if only for a moment. No gesture of love, no act of charity, however small, is forgotten in the Kingdom of God.

 REFLECTION:  

Sometimes I sit and feel that no one even remembers me, notices me, or would be phased if I was gone-- that's the devil talking-- that's depression-- that's real life for some of us. I think we all go through rough patches were we feel lonely, wondering how many people really care about us and how many only think of themselves. It's easy to feel like it's "you against the world." In those moments, I get a text from my beloved husband, my best friend and it reads: "Wipe away the tears, my love" and in that moment, the devil gets shot down-- I rise up and realize that I am something special. Even small acts of charity and kindness can be huge graces from God as we carry our cross each day. Acts of charity bring us into community, they offer us hope and keep us going. A smile, a kind word, or a text that is filled with emojicons can bring us relief! One by one, those acts of charity "wipe the face" of Jesus, hidden within all of those faces around you.

Gifts

***For the next two weeks, I will be steering my Lenten Blog Challenge into the direction of The Way of the Cross, also known as The Stations of the Cross, Via Crucis, and Via Dolorosa. These names are used to signify either a series of pictures or tableaux representing certain scenes in the Passion of Christ, each corresponding to a particular incident, or the special form of devotion connected with such representations. I will be posting a Station each day, then reflecting on that Station. To read more about the Way of the Cross, click HERE.


STATION V: SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS

As Jesus grows increasingly tired, a man named Simon is pulled from the crowd and pressed into service. Does he understand that the cross he is now carrying plays a part in his own salvation? Could he begin to know the blessings that would flow from this act of service? Simon the Cyrenian looks into the eyes of Mercy, and shows compassion in return. The two continue down the road together. Simon's strength eases some of our Lord's burden but only to a degree. Only one man can carry the full weight, the full burden of sin and His name is Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION:

God wants us to be successful and hears us when we cry out in failure. Regardless of what WE want, HE tries and tries again to get US to choose him. Just as God sent His Son to do what we could not, God still sends people into your life - people you don't even know - to help you along your way. Sometimes we say, "You are in my life for a REASON, a SEASON, or a LIFETIME-- we don't know when our friends and family enter our lives what role God had them playing, so we should respect HIM if our "friends" are only with us for a REASON or a SEASON-- He took someone out of your life, so find joy in that hardship. Look around your life for those who God has sent to help you on your walk, so people help us to lighten our load and to offer strength to you when you need it most-like my friend Gina. She was a theatre teacher for many years, then took time off to homeschool her children. When returning to work, she starting subbing at my high school. At the end of that semester, she got the job and we taught next door to eachother for many years! Without her 10 year battle with infertility, and now a mom of 2 teenage boys, she wouldn't be able to help me in my hardship-- she wouldn't be able to help me bear the load. She is a special friend and I hope she is here for more than just a reason or season! Be sure to thank those souls and to thank God for them.