The Mark of the Cross is a Sign of Hope

The mark of the cross is a sign of hope. Today’s spiritual reading describes how in our Legionary work when there is difficulty or lack of aid and support or even opposition we must not be discouraged knowing that God sees our sacrifice and will bring success through it, though we don’t always see it. We have to only remember that we are like Jesus in these occasions and we are carrying the cross. We should be glad when we see the cross in our path. This means we are on the right path. We don’t purposely seek it out. The cross finds us. As Thomas A. Kempis says and I paraphrase, “The cross follows us and we find it whether we are believers or atheists.” All people have the cross. But how blessed we are as Christians that Jesus gives the cross and suffering meaning in our life. He comforts us because He is with us in it. The cross now is transformed from a torture device (which is what it is for anyone without faith and generosity) to an instrument of love and which gives us hope, our only hope. Through the cross and dying to self we have resurrection, we become holy and live forever. Mary knew well the darkness of the cross. We know that darkness now with the Pandemic. 
 
She is with us as we feel helpless and powerless like she was unable to help her son. She trusted. We trust that through this darkness and through this cross comes the Easter dawn, glory and new life. The devil thinks he is winning by us not having Masses but He can’t know God’s higher wisdom and how God will bring a greater good out of this. We have to stay strong and humble and obedient, praying for the bishops for prudence and the priests who hate to not do public Masses. I feel this is a time that God is helping us priests to be more generous toward and grateful for the flock we have, our bride the Church and long for her more. Also the Bride will become more grateful for the gift of the Eucharist that sadly only 30% believe in of all Catholics (including non-practicing).  When the Groom Jesus is reunited with you in Holy Communion and we get to gather for Mass there will be such joy and a deeper faith. Hopefully people who missed Mass a lot will become more grateful for it and return to Mass. Maybe some won’t return but I pray that the majority will. We have to pray for them. We have to keep up our hunger for the Eucharist making Spiritual communions, visiting the tabernacle if possible and with less than ten people in the Church (again obedience). We tell Jesus yes we believe in your real presence, we long for you. Unite your longing for Him with His longing for you.

But today on Palm Sunday we begin the passion. Jesus goes to Jerusalem to suffer for us. He takes upon himself our sins. He is clothed in suffering. Let us forget our own sufferings in this time and immerse ourselves in his suffering, to venerate the cross spend time with Him in prayer in union with our sorrowful Mother whose heart a sword will pierce on Good Friday. From this piercing she has acquired merits and she dispenses graces coming from her Son on all of us. May we place ourselves securely under her mantle being one of the little ones, being patient, humble, and obedient, praying for our bishops and supporting our priests. Jesus did this for us. He was pierced for our offenses. Let us not cause him pain by sinning, but console him by carrying our crosses with Him like Simon of Cyrene. Amen.  Be sure of my prayer for you for your health and safety. We pray that God bring a swift end to the Coronavirus pandemic and for those who are sick and vulnerable, isolated, and those who have died. God bless you.

Fr. Victor