Suffering

Show Jesus to Others

DVRodriguez2025-12-18T12:07:18-05:00

Despite being in prison, St. John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus. It is the duty of every Catholic to point out Christ, even subtly. A spouse does so when showing love even when not treated rightly. A child does so by honoring its parents when it doesn't receive all it wants or deserves. A worker does so by giving a good day's work when he could slack off. Consider the example of Captain Guy Gruters, a US Air Force pilot and Vietnam POW who suffered terribly in the hot box at the ‘Hanoi Hilton’. The world rejects the cross, [...]

Show Jesus to OthersDVRodriguez2025-12-18T12:07:18-05:00

Give Testimony of Christ Crucified

DVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:51-04:00

The Church calls us to mourn the sufferings and death of Our Savior, especially because our sins caused His passion and because we show Him such ingratitude. Do not flee from the Cross but welcome it. Make the effort to die to yourself. Everyone must experience suffering; how we face it determines our eternity, As St. Paul teaches, to be Christ’s disciple –to be Catholic– means to walk faithfully and constantly on the path of the Cross. Look to the example of Simon of Cyrene.

Give Testimony of Christ CrucifiedDVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:51-04:00

The Golden Rose

DVRodriguez2025-04-05T20:32:39-04:00

The origins of Rose Sunday lie in antiquity. The Pope would bless golden roses and give them as gifts. The symbolism is deep: gold for Christ the king, flower for beauty, fragrance for the Gospel, and thorns for the passion. This tradition reminds us that Christian joy and suffering are inseparably bound. Those who desire a life of joy only (or pleasure) are always angry, for this can’t be attained. Suffering is inevitable. The soul that accepts suffering, unites it with Christ, and offers it to God, receives many graces and lives at peace.

The Golden RoseDVRodriguez2025-04-05T20:32:39-04:00