Power of the Cross Reflections

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We Forgive Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Do I still harbor past sins for which I have not accepted God’s forgiveness? Seek—Go to confession regularly. As part of your examination of conscience, review how you have accepted God’s forgiveness for past sins in your life, and review how well you have forgiven others in God’s name. Knock—Meditate on Ephes...

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We See Jesus Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Am I overly familiar with Christ? Seek—Read the Gospels every day. Encounter Christ as he is presented and try to imagine him in the world today, doing the same acts, confronting unbelief in the modern world. Knock—Meditate on 1 Peter 2:4–5. Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God’s sig...

The Cross of Christ Transforms. . .How We Worship Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—What do I do with God’s spirit? Seek—From a prayer posture, concentrate on your breathing. As you inhale, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. As you exhale, breathe the name from the core of your being: Jesus. Knock—Meditate on Galatians 6:7–9. Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man so...

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .God’s Mercy and Love Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—When have I judged someone wrongly? Seek—Do you need to be reconciled to someone in your life? It might be someone in your family, a former friend, an enemy, or even God. Go to confession; through the grace of absolution, seek to trust in God more and more. Knock—Meditate on 2 Corinthians 5:16–18. From now o...

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Us in the Work We Have to Do Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—How can dying to myself help me to know God’s purpose? Seek—Ask others to describe what your gifts are, and where they see you as being most authentic in your life. Knock—Meditate on Revelation 22:1–2. Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God...

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Those Who Suffer for Justice Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—What does God ask me to do for those who suffer? Seek—Look for opportunities to help someone who needs it (and who cannot help you back). Stand up for someone who is being brought low. Knock—Meditate on Romans 8:18. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the...

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .In Liberty Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—What continues to enslave me? Seek—Ask God to point out areas of slavery that still exist in your life. As you go through your day, catch yourself not being true to who you really are, and ask yourself: Who are you serving now? Knock—Meditate on Romans 7:22–25. For I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, but I...

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .In Humility Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask——In what areas of my life do I have the most trouble with pride? Seek—Pray the Litany of Humility. What parts of the litany do you find it most difficult to say? Take concrete steps to defer to others throughout the day, to die to yourself in little things. Knock—Meditate on Philippians 2:5–9. Have this mind among yo...

The Cross of Christ Unites. . .Those Divided by Sin The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila - Audio Mp3 Audio 3Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Whom do I treat as an outsider in God’s kingdom? Seek—As you go about your daily activities, think about how often you see someone else as “one of them” rather than “one of us.” Of course, people are all unique and different. However, the gospel...

 The Cross of Christ Unites. . .the Temporal and Eternal Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—How does the “light” of Christ shine into the darkness of my world? Seek—At every moment of the day say with St. Peter, “Lord, it is good that we are here!” Realize that when we follow Jesus we see ... Read more The post PoC-12 2nd Sunday of Lent: The Power of the Cross Lenten Meditation appeared firs...

The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . .How to Love Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask——Do I allow God to love through me? Seek—Keep before you the image of Jesus forgiving those who nailed him on the cross and see everyone with whom you come into contact through Christ. Think about how Christ died for those people and how precious they are as children of God, the same God who loves you. Knock—Medi...

The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . .Reconciliation Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Is there anyone I do not love? In what way can I allow the love of Christ to control me? Seek—Allow the image of the cross of Christ, the price Jesus paid to redeem all creation, to dominate your thoughts when you find yourself growing angry at someone. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to be reconciled to th...

The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . .How to Trust and Give Thanks Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—What do I need from God to follow Jesus more closely? Seek—As the day progresses, when you find yourself impatient, unloving, judgmental, lustful, or anything that strikes you as against the gospel of Jesus, ask God for the gift that will help you to be more like Christ. Knock—Meditate on James 1...

The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . About Repentance Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Where do I need to repent most in my life? Seek—Monitor your thoughts and hold them up against the standard of the gospel. Do your love and forgiveness have limi- tations or conditions? Ask the Lord to teach you true repentance of mind and heart. Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 1:22–24. For Jews demand sign...

The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . How to Pray Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—How can my prayer better reflect what is going on in my life at the present moment? Seek—Try praying for an extended period of time in the orans position. Ask Our Lord to teach you this lesson from the cross, so that your prayer might always be heartfelt. Knock—Meditate on Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, J...

The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . to Live the Gospel Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Where have I encountered Christ “in the least of my brethren”? Seek—Make an effort to see Christ in the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned. Try to reach out to those no one else notices. Knock—Meditate on Romans 2:13 For it is not hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the...

The Cross of Christ Teaches Us. . . Our Mission Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—What temptations do I find it hardest to resist? How might this reveal God’s intended purpose for me? Seek—Reject sin. Learn to see in your temptations a perversion of God’s plan for you. Try to discern what it is that God might be calling you to do by looking at the areas of your life where you are most tempted...

Saturday after Ash Wednesday A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—How does viewing Jesus as my savior from death help me to face head-on the deaths of loved ones and even my own death? Seek—Fast from passing judgment on anyone today. Realize in this little dying to yourself you are opening yourself to see others as God sees them. Knock—Meditate on Revelation 1:17-18 Bu...

Friday after Ash Wednesday HOW MUCH WE NEED JESUS Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—How greatly do I feel the need for Christ in my life? Seek—Place a crucifix in a prominent place in your home. Look upon this sign of our salvation upon rising and before you retire for the night, asking Christ to help you to “take up your cross” and follow him. Knock—Meditate on Revelation 22:17, 20 The Spiri...

THE INVITATION OF JESUS Steps to Take as You Follow Christ Ask—Do I fear the cross of Christ or do I embrace it? Seek—Place a crucifix in a prominent place in your home. Look upon this sign of our salvation upon rising and before you retire for the night, asking Christ to help you to “take up your cross” and follow him. Knock—Meditate on Philippians 3:18-21 I have told you often, and I repeat it t...