Comments on: Take Up Your Cross

By: Maureen

Maureen — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 15:12:27 +0000

Joe, I am so grateful for your message. It touched me in so many ways. I also struggle with the same questions Jack asked. But I have never read or heard anything that was exactly what I needed at the moment of need like your words today and they will bother me forever! Bother in a good way. I’m in the middle of an awful divorce and your words hit me and stopped me like a brick wall. Quite honestly I hope I will be black and blue until I embrace your message. Thank you, Jesus, for gifting Joe! Thank you, Joe, for gifting me! Spirit, move me to gift others!

By: MaryTansi

MaryTansi — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 05:24:25 +0000

Hi Joe, thanks so much for this wonderful reflection, you have really opened my eyes on how to respond when I’m in temptation.how not to ask questions why so so and is happening to me.but instead I should ask myself what is God asking wanting me learn from this experience, what does he want me to do right now, what does he want me to share with others, its so personal to me because often times I despair when I encounter difficulties. May God help me to always place my hope and trust in Him. Amen.

By: El

El — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 22:12:27 +0000

Thank you, Joe, for the reminder to take up our crosses on a daily basis no matter the struggles and difficulties in our lives. One may also presume, “How can God allow good things to happen to evil people?” We are all inherently evil and undeserving. Yet, our God has such a deep and abiding love for each and everyone of us. He desires that we all live in accordance to His will so that we all make it to Heaven. This entails trying everyday to stay close to Him via prayer, Bible study and serving those around us. He loves us enough to give us the free will to follow him wholeheartedly or not. Dear Lord, help us to take up our crosses daily and be able to look to the greater good of what you want us to see in the midst of trouble, hardship and heartache!

By: Dominicana

Dominicana — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 15:10:17 +0000

You are right, Joe. Sometimes ones failure paves the way for the success of another. Thus, such failure is a blessed failure because it was used by the Almighty God to make us see not only our own selves but also the plights and joy of our friends and neighbors. But do not let our faith diminish when something we wish does not come our way. Trust in God always. He listens and strengthens us.

By: Mark Misencik

Mark Misencik — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 14:41:41 +0000

Hey Joe,

I enjoyed your take on today’s readings.

A couple of things.

First, I don’t quite agree with your statement, “But Peter didn’t listen to the rest of Jesus’ words…”. Although we weren’t there, I’m guessing that Peter heard what Jesus said perfectly, he probably didn’t understand it. Death is something we all can understand, the being raised on the third day is hard to comprehend, even today.

Second, when it comes to trying to understand what we consider a natural disaster and the relation to an all loving God, I recommend reading “The Doors of the Sea” by David Bentley Hart. You won’t be disappointed.

Keep up the good work,

Mark

By: Wayne

Wayne — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 14:32:51 +0000

Great reflection Joe… Seems the readings were spot on forvtoday as was your reflection. Have a blessed day…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 13:57:51 +0000

The why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people question was raised recently, on August 13. On August 14, Joe provided a link to a video by Fr. Mike Schmitz in (partial) response. For persons interested, you can go to the Archives or follow this link:

https://www.facebook.com/AscensionPress/videos/10155696085340832/

By: Stella

Stella — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 13:30:18 +0000

Jack, I think that God gave us free will, and He gave us a life that will end; but that does not mean he orchestrates our every move and how we die. He doesn’t cause the natural disasters or the man made ones. We live our lives and things happen, good and bad. It’s how we deal with the adversities and trials as well as the joys, in which God wants us to follow Him. He wants us to come away from these trials a better person, in love and hope and faith – so that when our lives end, we shall live joyfully in His care.