Cross

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends You

DVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Today, the Church calls those who have been in sorrow to rejoice. This joy is not one connected to pleasures of the senses, but is a fruit of the Holy Ghost which brings great peace and tranquility of soul. It is a spiritual joy that comes from following Christ. It is a lenten joy that does not come without the Cross. It is a joy that comes through much pain and sorrow, yet it endures (unlike the passings joys of the senses). The Cross alone nourishes our love of God. So rejoice and be glad when God favors you with one [...]

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends YouDVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Never Jesus Without His Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

We must always adore Christ - that is at the center of our holy religion. We just die to our self love and offer Him our body, mind and heart. Yet no one can truly adore Christ without adoring His holy Cross. Our love of God is weak because our love of the Cross is weak and our rejection of the Cross all too frequent. Attachment to the world and love of self are so strong in us, that we must unceasingly strive to purify ourselves by fasting, prayer and almsgiving. This is the only way to grow in our love [...]

Never Jesus Without His CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-19T08:10:46-04:00

Pray to Accept and Love the Cross

DVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00

Without the Cross, there is no growth in holiness. If we eliminate the Cross, we eliminate Christ. The sign of the Cross is a most terrible weapon against the devil. And yet the Cross remains a scandal and stumbling block - even for very devout Catholics. In theory, we praise it; but in practice, we lose courage, complain, and run away as soon as the possibility of suffering arises (just think how Mass and the public practice of our faith have recently been cancelled). The Cross is precious because: [1] It make us resemble Christ. [2] When well carried, it is [...]

Pray to Accept and Love the CrossDVRodriguez2021-03-16T13:03:11-04:00

A Spirit of Entitlement

DVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:48:24-05:00

There is a an entitlement complex among many youth: as if the world owes them something. Bitter complaints follow unrealistic and unmet expectations. This problem is not new. Man wishes to divorce Christ from His Cross and take the glory of Tabor without the passion of Calvary. The post-Christian West has created a cheap effeminate Christ by expecting resurrection without a cross. Today’s feast reminds us that these two mysteries of Christ (His transfiguration and death) are intimately related. This connection between glory and humiliation both moderates our joys and comforts us in our trials. A price must be paid for [...]

A Spirit of EntitlementDVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:48:24-05:00

Crux Fidelis

DVRodriguez2021-03-16T10:13:47-04:00

The Cross has has the power to convert and sanctify, even the most hardened sinners. Lent brings the Cross before us in a more spiritually intense way. Consider the Good Friday Liturgy as a powerful example. Jesus prays and fasts in the desert for forty days and endures temptation, especially to prepare Himself for His passion and death on the Cross. Should not we catholics do the same? Do your best this Lent to grow in devotion for the Cross. Prayer, fasting, and alms giving are the means to detach us from sin, the world, selfishness and attach us profoundly to [...]

Crux FidelisDVRodriguez2021-03-16T10:13:47-04:00

Love Your Cross

DVRodriguez2021-02-15T06:36:45-05:00

What if this was your last Lent? It may be, so make it count! Love Lent and deepen your appreciation for it. Lent is a time to practice loving God more than self; a time to place neighbor before self; a time to love soul more than body. Man has the ability to merit by his sufferings because he has a body. Thus, Lent is a time to voluntarily embrace all our crosses, that we not be caught off guard by anything the world, flesh and the devil might throw in our path. If we flee from the cross, then we [...]

Love Your CrossDVRodriguez2021-02-15T06:36:45-05:00

Hail O Cross

DVR Fatima2023-09-01T19:10:23-04:00

Hail O CrossDVR Fatima2023-09-01T19:10:23-04:00

Shedding of Christ’s Blood

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Devotion to the Precious Blood is devotion to Jesus Christ who has redeemed us; to His sacred passion, death and five holy wounds. This is a central aspect of the mystery of Christ, essential to our knowing and loving Him. The shedding of our Savior’s Precious Blood [1] washes away our sins, [2] reconciles us to God, and [3] makes us holy. It provides abundant grace to help us hate sin and fight against sin with all our strength. Thou hast redeemed us O Lord in Thy Blood. The mercies of the Lord I will sing forever.

Shedding of Christ’s BloodDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Prophecy is Difficult to Discern

DVRodriguez2020-04-15T10:15:49-04:00

We have yet to suffer as the saints, despite what we are enduring. Considering the grave tribulations others have survived, helps us appreciate our tiresome duties and present difficulties. Men have a natural tendency to want to survive life's trials on their own terms and be in the know. Many look to prophecy, but easily misinterpret it thinking now is the time of fulfillment. Proceed with caution for prophecy is mysterious and very hard to understand. It helps when approved prophecies harmonize as that provides a clearer picture. For example, consider what we know of the Three Days of Darkness. Those [...]

Prophecy is Difficult to DiscernDVRodriguez2020-04-15T10:15:49-04:00

Divine Fervor

DVRodriguez2020-04-10T05:02:52-04:00

Two brief holy week sermons. Christ's sacrifice unto death is His greatest act of love for us. A responding act of fervent love by the faithful, in Mary Magdalene, is seen in today's gospel. May the sweet odor of our Christian charity fill the world. Every single grace that ever comes to us was merited by Christ in His Passion and Death. Pray for these five graces: (1) to hate sin, (2) to patiently endure wrong, (3) for meekness and humility in trails, (4) to love enemies, (5) and to pray for persecutors.

Divine FervorDVRodriguez2020-04-10T05:02:52-04:00