We are again in the "ember" months. Some people in these months are dominated by fear and anxiety about road crashes, and similar disasters due to a superstitious belief that the end of every year carries with it an in-built curse.
True Christians must remember that notwithstanding all the violence, tragedies, bloodshed and other negative happenings around us, September is the month of the Exaltation of the Cross, that 'tree of death' which, through its most illustrious 'guest' Jesus of Nazareth, became our tree of life and our standard of victory.
Jesus having undergone the bitter experience of that cross, told us; "In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33). He already anticipated that fact when he said, "... if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed" (Jn. 8:37).
The power of God to give us joy in place of our fears and anxiety is real. The Year of Faith is meant to help us to remember that Jesus is the evidence of that power. Christianity is not a religion that endorses mere suffering and pain in this world in exchange for eventual joy in heaven.
It is a religion which guarantees a never-say¬ die hope of salvation even if, in spite of our good effort, the sun sometimes fails to shine in our lives. The cross was not the final word in the economy of salvation, the resurrection is. The cross helps Christians not to fear suffering but to conquer it, for anyone who fears suffering is already suffering whatever it is he fears.
Those to be empowered by the exalted cross of Christ however must tread the path he trod and participate in his life. When Jesus stood before Pilate he declared why he came into the world. "... I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth.
Everyone who is on the side of truth hears my voice" (Jn. 18:37). He also said: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me" (Jn. 14 6). It is therefore clear that disciples must speak the truth and stand up for it like Jesus Christ did.
Unfortunately, in the world of today, truth is in short supply in homes, schools, government, business and in society. Relativism and subjectivism rule the moral judgment of millions of people. Christians must courageously turn this around to merit the crown and friendship with Jesus.
He encourages us all: "... my friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that can do no more... Fear the one who after killing you is able to throw you into hell" (Lk. 12:4-5) . So Christian, stand with the truth and the exalted cross will give you freedom and power.
I have been thinking a great deal about my experience at Reconciliation this past Saturday. I felt an intense and unexplainable urge to go and confess my sins when I woke up that morning. I try to go every six weeks or so, but this was no routine visit to the priest for me. I needed to unburden myself of the numerous venial sins I had committed since I last participated in this Sacrament.
Purest Gold: God's Refining Fire in our Lives »
After salvation, many young Christians wonder if there's anything more to their newfound faith than just the security blanket of "being a Christian." Time and time again, God shows himself as a "refiner," and our lives are as gold. God started leading me in this study to understand what He was doing in my life, as well as in the lives of others.
Picking up my pen to write this column, I couldn’t imagine how time flies. Since the last publication of this column I have gone through a lot, especially the loss of my dear mother to whom I dedicate this article. Not only her, but seems I lost a whole generation of my close family.
How to Achieve Business Excellence »
“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before Kings; He will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29
Spiritual Development for our Youth »
Most of us youth in today's fast moving world are easily thrown off by difficulties and worries.
The theme of conversion is a thread that runs all through Lent, but conversion takes on different aspects throughout the phases of Lent. The first two and a half weeks focused on the interior turning of hearts; the liturgy urges the faithful to reflect and examine consciences thoroughly.
Saint Josephine Bakhita »
Feast Day: February 8
Patron Saint Of: Sudan
Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering.
Catholics Must Fast More Intensely This Lent»
The Norbertine Canons of St. Michael's Abbey have created this digital Lenten retreat so that you can journey through this holy season alongside them. If you want to have one of your best Lenten seasons yet, join us in our Lenten Program "The Great Fast" - https://theabbotscircle.com/the-great-fast-join
When Your Faith Is Put to the Test - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon»
Friends, we come now to the Second Sunday of Lent, and we’re on both dangerous and very holy ground with the first reading from the twenty-second chapter of Genesis. The ancient Israelites referred to it as the “Akedah,” which means the “binding”: Abraham binds and is ready to sacrifice Isaac at God’s command.
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