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February 6, 2005
Dealing With Trials: The Practice Of Taking Up Our Crosses Daily
If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Matthew 16:24How many times have we heard these words, this mandate for genuine Christian discipleship? Many of us, in fact probably most of us, prefer not to think about them for they entail two aspects of being a follower of Christ that we would rather avoid: self-denial and suffering. Being that Lent is almost upon us, I thought it would be appropriate for us to meditate on dealing with trials in our daily lives.
Many Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, would have us believe that self-denial and embraced suffering are things from those long, past "dark ages" of the Church when holy men and women would submit themselves to all kinds of fasts, penances and other forms of mortification and self-denial. Much like Job, these holy men and women offered everything, good or bad, to God. Contrary to what some would have us believe in these "modern" times, the Church's understanding of the need for the cross in order to achieve holiness remains much the same today as it did then:
2015 The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes:"He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end. He never stops desiring what he already knows." - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed., pg. 488
The trials we experience each day are wonderful opportunities for growth in holiness and greater union with our Lord Jesus Christ. St. Paul wrote:
When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. - Romans 8:17
Our daily trials, our daily crosses are those difficult moments when we have the opportunity to join Christ on the cross, to share in His Sacrifice. It doesn't have to be overly dramatic either, but rather a presence of mind and heart that enables us to see everything as coming from the hand of our loving Father. Trials and sufferings remind us of two things; 1) our need for God's grace and assistance and 2) our Lord's Sacrifice for us. If we can strive to keep these two thoughts present at all times we will experience growth in holiness and love. The trials of our daily lives help us to become detached from this world and create in our hearts a longing for our eternal home. St. Therese of Lisieux once wrote:
The drops of gall must be mingled in every cup, but I find that trials greatly help to detach us from earth; they make us look higher than this world. Nothing here below can satisfy us; we enjoy a little repose only by being ready to do God's will.For one pain endured with joy, we shall love the good God more forever.
- I Letter to Mother Agnes of Jesus
It should be with joy and readiness that we embrace the trials that come our way each day, realizing that when we do this we become united with Christ. It will not be easy but if we start small we will grow in patience, perseverence, and, most importantly, love. These will enable us to face those greater trials and sufferings that are inevitable in this "vale of tears," this "way of the Cross."
During this Lenten season, let us seek those opportunities, each day, to grow in holiness, to offer up our lives as living sacrifices to our loving God and Father.
May the Holy Family continue to bless and guide you and your family. Amen.
Posted by HolyFamily at February 6, 2005 6:35 AM
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» Some good and useful Lenten Blogging from The Anchoress
Rebecca from Doxology was kind enough to give me a heads up about this week's Catholic Carnival, the focus of which is LENT. Good and timely reading for Catholic and Lent-curious or Lent-inclined Protestants. A few that stood out immediately for me. [Read More]
Tracked on February 8, 2005 9:59 PM
