A Meditation on the Cross

Jesus said to all: “Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny himself his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps.  Luke 9:23

As we begin Holy Week, let us reflect on how closely we follow Jesus each day.

During the Advent season, the readings and hymns tell us to make straight the path of the Lord for he is coming. During the Lenten season, the road is not so straight, it has become very rocky and difficult to travel, for we know it leads to Calvary. Just as in Advent, we proclaim, “He is coming," now in Lent, we know He is going… goingto Calvary for us. Do we have the courage to die to self and follow him to the Cross? 

As Carmelites, we are called to follow the Crucified and Risen Lord, we can ask ourselves:

Do I follow Jesus for a little while in prayer and then go in another direction when

the road of daily challenges and frustrations becomes too difficult?

Do I follow Jesus when I am receiving spiritual consolations and great lights

and inspiration in prayer, then, at the first experience of spiritual dryness give up prayer?

Do I stray from the road to Calvary by being unforgiving to that person who has hurtme very deeply?

Here is the image of the cross that St. John of the Cross drew himself. The original is very small. The impact of this tiny image is very spiritually moving, because St. John draws the image with a view of the Cross from above, as if the Father is looking down on His Son and his sacrifice. Perhaps we can meditate on St. John’s Cross this week. 

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Here is a link to an article about St. John’s Cross:

https://aleteia.org/2017/09/22/discover-the-crucifix-drawn-by-saint-john-of-the-cross-after-a-mystical-vision/

From the writings of St. John of the Cross:

…He was thereby compelled to cry out: My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?[Mt. 8:20]. This was the most extreme abandonment, sensitively, that he had suffered in His life. And by it he accomplished the most marvelous work of his whole life, surpassing all the works and deeds and miracles that he had ever performed on earth or in heaven.That is, he brought about the reconciliation and union of the human race with God through grace.                                             The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Book Two, Chapter 7, No. 11

We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

Because, by your holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

Spiritual Direction with St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)

Here is an excerpt from the book Conversation with Christ by Peter Thomas Rohrbach in which St. Teresa of Jesus gives us practical advice about prayer:

St. Teresa advises us to choose a comfortable position at prayer; but, she wisely adds, a position that is not too comfortable--else drowsiness might set in. Meditation is a period in which we unite ourselves with God; it should not be devoted to the practice of physical mortifications entailed in rigid posture, or the like. It might be better to begin our meditation on our knees. This will aid us in drawing our attention to Christ; but when bodily weariness begins to assert itself, it is entirely proper to change one's position. Hence, prayer may be made while sitting, or standing, or even while walking. Here again the individual must select for himself the posture most conducive to his own meditation...

As regards the position of the eyes, common sense would furnish the answer. We definitely will not be able to sustain a conversation with Christ while we are gazing at passersby, or studying the interior of some church. If we make our meditation in a place free from noise or commotion, it might be possible to keep our eyes open and continue our conversation with Christ. But if one is in the midst of  a variety of distractions, the eyes must, of necessity, remain closed...

At the beginning of prayer, St. Teresa advises the soul to humble itself before God. This can be done by a brief consideration of one's own faults.

Peace be with you!

Rosemarie, OCDS

 A Meditation on the First Station of the Cross: 

Jesus is Condemned to Death

Photo: R. Massaro (C) 2018 Spirit Singing Cathedral of the Incarnation Nashville, TN

In the cross is the height of virtue and the perfection of all sanctity. Without the cross there is no salvation for our souls, nor hope of life eternal. Take your cross, then, and follow Jesus, and you will go into everlasting life.

Remember that Jesus has gone before you bearing His cross and has given His life for you upon that cross, so that you may bear your own cross and long to die on it for love of Him. For if you die with Him, you will also live with Him; and if you have shared His suffering, you will also share His glory. 
The Imitation of Christ, Book 2, Chap. 12, No. 2

Have you ever been falsely accused of something? Perhaps it was something very minor, but the accusation still hurt you. Maybe you still recall this event, saying to someone, "Do you remember the time so-and-so said I never returned his book?"  Perhaps, it was an accusation for something more serious that got your family members involved, your employer involved, or members of an organization involved. If we have been falsely accused we can identify with Jesus who was falsely accused and sentenced to death.

As we meditate on this First Station, we can recall the events of the false accusations against us and see that they are minor compared to what Our Lord suffered for us, however, our Merciful Savior invites us to offer to him the troubles of our heart. He is ever-ready to heal the hurtful memories we hold closely to our heart. He is ready to help us to forgive all those who have hurt us. 

As Carmelites, let us remember the teaching of our Sister and Saint, Therese, the Little Flower. She teaches us in her Little Way, to offer up these things and keep them hidden, so that only the Father sees what we are suffering and offering up for Him.  We must get over our ego that instructs us to tell anyone who will listen how we have been wronged and falsely accused. 

Scripture tells us that God is slow to anger and quick to forgive. Let us strive to grow in virtue, virtue that helps us to become Christlike, so that,we become quick to forgive all those who hurt us in life.

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.
Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.






Peace be with you!
Rosemarie, OCDS