(this reflection is from a few years ago)
Today my family read a lot about self-denial and the Cross; both in the Mystical City of God and in Rev. Gahan’s sermon for today.
There is no doubt that the Cross is the Way to Life; the Royal Road of the Holy Cross. Our Lady admonishes us in the “Words of the Queen” that to expect to be a Christian – a follower of Christ – and at the same time avoid the pains and inconveniences of life is to deceive ourselves and is to waste the graces God so generously proffers to us for our good. Our Faith has to be more than about good resolutions and fine words of “dedication” and “consecration” of our lives; we have to live our dedication and embrace the Cross.
The Cross, as Rev. Gahan instructs us, in our daily lives, consists firstly in denying our inordinate and predominant passion. It is the battle against our flesh which is the most important and deadly as our passions and wills are always with us. But it is important to attack our predominant passion first, with heroic persistence and perseverance because once subdued, though we will always have to keep it in check, every battle after becomes easier. It is for this reason that it is so important through humble prayer and self-reflection to gain a thorough knowledge of ourselves that we may find out what our predominant passion is. Our daily examination of conscience is a good tool for this; “what sins do I consistently fall in?” It is against these vices we must labor and try to discover the root that we may “lay the ax to the root” of our sins. And if in fighting ourselves, the battle seems particularly challenging, it is here where we should turn in humble confidence to Mary in the Rosary. She will remind us what we have been forgetting; call on her in temptations and she will effect the victory for us! Call on her, and do not lose hope; for “If we call on Mary… she will work out our salvation with ease.”
Jesus, Mary, I love Thee! Save souls!
