Category: cross

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Boasting In The Cross

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C): Galatians 6:14-18

May I never boast except in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  – Galatians 6:14

It is usually very difficult for us to see ourselves clearly.  At times, we can be too lenient on ourselves and excuse ourselves of things we should look at.  At other times, we can be too critical of ourselves, and make a problem or fault far worse than it truly is. In either case, we find it difficult to acknowledge a fault (either because it would damage our self-image or hurt us too much). In either case, we become all the more ready to notice the fault in someone else. Continue reading “Boasting In The Cross”

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The Cross of Autism

Palm Sunday (C)

The Lord said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”. I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.  – 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

For this post, I am doing something different. I offer you a post by Aimée O’Connell, the founder of The Mission of Saint Thorlak, called “The Cross of Autism”.  Although her post focuses on the experience of people on the autism spectrum, it can also apply to anyone seeking to follow the Lord more faithfully in their lives. I include this not only because I find it quite well-done, but mainly because it is an example of how autism ministry is not only about what the Church as a whole can offer to those with autism, but also about what those with autism can offer the Church as a whole.

And so, without further ado, here it is! Continue reading “The Cross of Autism”

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A Thorn In The Flesh?

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

“A thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7

In this Sunday’s second reading, Paul presents us with this well-known image of the “thorn in the flesh”. Anyone who has handled roses or similar plants can get a feel for the image. A thorn in one’s skin is painful and not always easy to dislodge. It is an unwelcome nuisance. At times, people use the image of a “thorn in the flesh” to refer to someone they find difficult to deal with or tolerate; someone who offers them a severe test of their patience. Is this what Paul means when he writes this to the Corinthians, though?  Continue reading “A Thorn In The Flesh?”

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Life, Revealed

Third Sunday of Easter (B)  Acts 3:13-19

If you live – or spend any significant time – away from the lights of a city, you have the opportunity to observe the night sky when the weather is favorable. If you watch the heavens on a nightly basis, it will appear, from your perspective, that the moon and stars are orbiting Earth along circular paths. Based on such observations, some ancient cultures came to certain conclusions. If heavenly bodies, which are above us both physically and existentially, all move in circular paths, then the circle must be the perfect or ideal shape.  Continue reading “Life, Revealed”