Annie12 Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 Hello all, How should a Catholic go about taking up their crosses in life? If there is a big cross that is optional to have to go through, is it prudent to choose a lesser cross? What if the bigger cross is dangerous for your emotional well being? Is it prudent to then choose the lesser cross or is all the suffering worth it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 Hi Annie...........I would not choose a cross that was dangerous to emotional well being. That would be to fly in the face of common sense and prudence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepiaheart Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 One of the most beautiful conversations I've ever had with a priest, my chaplain -- bless his Dominican heart -- was about this very question, about the Cross. He told me: Christ didn't melt before His Cross. He embraced it and He carried it. He "dealt with" His Cross by submitting His will to His Father, yes, but it manifested in a submission to the end that was put upon Him. My own Cross has been dealing with a number of deeply rooted emotional wounds inflicted by my father: wounds that have manifested their effects in pretty intense, violent ways, and to pick up my Cross has been to fight for my well-being while not complaining, while pushing through, living through, the pain when it comes, keeping my eyes on Jesus and carrying what is given to me, rather than melting before it. To carry the Cross is to kneel before the crucifix, to be strengthened by Him who carried it first, and then to live. We live. The mystery of the Lord is to be found in the smallest details of our lives, because each detail is individual and specific to us; it means always walking forward, side-by-side with Jesus, and not stopping, not sinking, but suffering -- living -- with and for Him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 The mystery of the Lord is to be found in the smallest details of our lives, because each detail is individual and specific to us; it means always walking forward, side-by-side with Jesus, and not stopping, not sinking, but suffering -- living -- with and for Him. Good post - I particularly liked the above. A part of carrying our cross too is when we are feeble, weak and fail - learning then to repent, confess - and walk on, leaning on the Infinite (no beginning, no end) Love and Mercy of Jesus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 I think it really depends on whatever situation you find yourself in, and what you mean by emotional well being. We shouldn't necessarily embrace a bigger cross just because it's bigger, and we shouldn't dismiss a bigger cross because it's more inconvenient. One shouldn't deliberately put oneself in harm's way without a seriously good reason. Prudence is about making good choices - which situation will bring about the most good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amppax Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Is there a distinction between mortification and a "cross"? Are these terms interchangeable, or am I thinking of two very different things? When I hear "optional cross" I think of taking up something as a mortification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Matutina Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Is there a distinction between mortification and a "cross"? Are these terms interchangeable, or am I thinking of two very different things? When I hear "optional cross" I think of taking up something as a mortification. Yes. Mortification is something that you purposefully undertake in order to grow in the spiritual life. A "Cross" as it is used metaphorically in Catholic circles is a difficulty sent to us by God that we must overcome with His help. Crosses are those daily inconveniences, disappointments, hurts, and so on that we all endure in this vale of tears. An "optional cross" would be interchangable with a mortification. However, in the sense that the OP is using it, it seems that she is choosing between two crosses that have been offered to her by Our Lord. Annie, pray deeply for the grace to choose that which will bring you closer to Our Lord. All else is passing. But do keep in mind that if one of these crosses will cripple you emotionally, then it is likely not what Our Lord would want you to take up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarysLittleFlower Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Hello all, How should a Catholic go about taking up their crosses in life? If there is a big cross that is optional to have to go through, is it prudent to choose a lesser cross? What if the bigger cross is dangerous for your emotional well being? Is it prudent to then choose the lesser cross or is all the suffering worth it? I think mostly, we're given our crosses, - like how God allows certain things to happen. Regarding your second question, it's hard to answer that not knowing the issue or the person well enough, - that's probably something to ask a spiritual director... I tend to think that the more we love, the easier it gets to embrace our crosses and accept the more difficult ones. I see that in myself, when I love less, it's so much harder to make any sacrifice. I think suffering can do a lot if we unite it to Christ, but we need to stay close to Him and pray for the grace and love to bear it, because otherwise we wouldn't have enough strength, but I don't think this should make us too fearful, but we should rely on God :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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