Tag Archives: Cross

Lessons from the Cross

Jesus crucified

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, crucified.

Jesus’ passion and death teach us many lessons.  In this meditation we use texts from Scripture and St Thomas Aquinas to consider some of the many virtues Christ teaches us from the Cross:

  • Charity
  • Humility
  • Patience
  • Obedience
  • Fortitude
  • Perseverance
  • Joy

Lesssons of the Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary Rubens

A depiction of our Lady’s Assumption painted by Rubens

Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven teaches us many lessons. In this meditation we use a text from the book of Revelation to consider some of these lessons:

  • Mary sanctified herself in her ordinary life in the home, as we do
  • She is the new Ark of the Covenant, bringing the very Word of God into the world
  • Mary is rewarded for her humility and docility to God
  • Mary’s Assumption fills us with hope for our own resurrection to eternal life
  • Mary had many crosses on the way, as we will
  • The woman in the book of Revelation overcomes the attacks of the devil, as we must
  • Mary’s intercession for us is all-powerful

Take up your cross

Christ carrying the Cross - Titian

Christ carrying the Cross – Titian

With the occasion of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross we consider how Christ invites us to take up our own cross and follow him. We cannot be soft and comfort seeking if we want to be Christ’s followers. Rather we must be strong willed  in order to be effective in bringing Christ to others. In this meditation we consider:

  • Christ’s exaltation on taking up his cross
  • His invitation to us follow him
  • The difficulties we face in the world, the flesh and the devil
  • The need to be strong willed and how we can grow in fortitude
  • The example of the Paralympians
  • Thoughts of St Josemaria in his books The Way and Furrow