How To Pick Up Your Cross
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2024
- Fr. Mike’s words on taking up our crosses may come as a relief to many of us. He rejects the “harder is holier” approach, and reminds us that taking up our crosses is ultimately about having more freedom.
Christ says “My yoke is easy, and my is burden light” (Matthew 11:30). God has a particular task for each of us, and taking up our crosses means denying what we want for our lives so that we can do God’s will. After all, that is what we were made to do and the only way to truly be free.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).
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This talk changed my life when it first came out. However, in the past four weeks, it's been the thing that has kept me going. My husband and soul mate was killed in a crash 4 weeks ago. I wish so badly that I had been with him and had died with him. But God chose to keep me from going with him at the last minute. God chose for me to continue living. Without my husband. I have to say YES to this. I have to say YES to living ... and not just survive, but EMBRACE it. Saying YES to living means that I'm doing something positive with my life, not just existing. I need to say YES to hope. I need to say YES to God's future plans for me. Some days this means saying YES to getting out of bed, rather than pulling the covers over my head. Understanding this as passive purification has helped so much and has allowed me to see the holiness and beauty in it. It's also helped me to know that God is going to give me the strength to do all this. My hope is that God will be glorified.(update 3 and 1/2 years later: I wasn't Catholic when I wrote this. I wasn't even considering it. A year and a half later I was welcomed into the Church. That's helped me so much.)
Alyce-Kay Ruckelshaus you are a warrior for having that attitude. God bless you, and all the strength to you and those YES’s when it may seem hard.
Alyce-Kay Ruckelshaus I’m so sorry for your loss. Take time to grieve. You can just be with it for awhile, as long as you need. Little by little you can regroup. Just be patient with the process. God is gentle and will comfort you. He cries with you, too.
May The Lord bless you always dear sister. Amen
It's now been a little over a year since my husband's death. I just want to say that this has been a huge part of getting me through. Intentionally saying yes to God, because living right now is just my cross. Picking it up and engaging with life is so hard but this is what I have to say yes to. The other thing that has helped me immensely is the chaplet of Divine Mercy. Especially the prayer at the end where we ask for God's mercy and as a result are able to submit ourselves with confidence to his holy will. That is definitely a reality for me now as God has been filling me with grace and mercy in answer to my prayers. Thank you so much to those of you who have shared as well. Your responses have also really uplifted me. Seeing how other people apply this is very helpful and encouraging.
@@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224 Good luck and stay strong. May the Lord help you, as he said "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mt 11:28. You'll find rest with him. :-)
Love and blessings 😀
*"...ultimately holier is not harder, holier is saying YES to the Father..."* - Father Mike Schmitz.
I always thought the harder penances would bring me closer to God
@@IONov990, now just see why our God is the FATHER🙏🏼!
Amen!
...and take up your cross and follow Me!☦🛐
EMM CM holiness is not just hard, it's IMPOSSIBLE... (without God) ;)
For His sake
By His side
With His strength
My new motto
I look forward to your videos every week. Almost a year ago I watched your video on mortal sin and it hit me so hard. Finally made me understand how choosing sin is literally me not choosing God. I fought a 15 year pornography addiction. With that one video I said no more. It’s going to be a year this May. Thank you Father Mike. Praise be to God.
Well done, David! I also struggled with pornography but, choosing freely to say NO MORE is a process of mastery. Continue the fight, my friend. Happy Easter!
Glory be to God my brother! I learned it's possible to be chaste in relationships & mastery of my "passions "
Diana Hayden thank you. Channels like ascension presents help so much. I never realized how rich the online Catholic community is. God is good!
I thought tonight was going to be my last, and I've been watching video after video and i think i can hang on longer.
@@CelticConservative Praying for you. Remember that you are loved by God and by your brothers and sisters in Christ. Please continue to hold on.
This priest is the real deal, strong enough to be speak the truth, a real disciple.
The enemy thinks that I will be angry with God or deny Him with my loss but I will take up my cross and glorify Him evermore! Glory to God in the highest!
Thank you father. This came at the perfect time for me.
Nice to see another Catholic Gamer in the chat
@@KurffyOriginal im a gamer too yeet
I'm also impressed with the way these videos seem to correlate perfectly with whatever struggle I'm facing.
Nate Michalak sameee
Another "Catholic Gamer" here, I hope all of you are doing well on the path to righteousness. It's a tough world out here
"I have these attractions in my life, I don't want them, but here they are." THAT IS SO ME! I wish I didn't have feelings, but they are there. I thought it was just another reason to mope. Now I realize it's a cross I have to bear. That actually makes it amazing to me!
Ahh yes! I wanted to be an opera singer once. Instead I ended up a therapist working with death and dying. I woulda paid big money to dodge that bullet. Oh well. I’m older now, probably would still pick singing, but alas! Lol. My cross was a blessing, sigh. I’m not sorry.
@@Donna-cc1kt Glad it worked out for you :)
Have the same cross to bear dear. This helped me so much. God bless you and keep you.
That last part hit me like a ton of bricks. Exactly what I need to hear right now. I have such an unrelatable situation that occurred that I never asked for and the healing process is now causing depression and anxiety. I have been picking up my cross and doing everything possible to get better including taking medication and speaking to a therapist. This also caused me to run to Jesus and completely repent and turn away from a life that was built upon lies. This video gave me so much clarity. I see Jesus has plans for me. I am ready to follow him any way I can. I now belong to a catholic church and I am taking the RCIA class and I am already taking steps to grow in the church community. I pray everyday several times and I get the messages. One thing I witnessed yesterday is that when I am feeling fear, depression, and anxiety, if I think about helping others, all of those symptoms immediately disappear. I know that is definitely Jesus training me to be selfless right now and to follow God's will.
I will pray for you, friend! Such a beautiful and good testimony, I see God is working through you :) be strong and of good courage! I am in the same boat you are so I will pray for a friend in Christ ❤ God bless you 🕊
This VIdeo is 4 years old and you're still an inspiration. Thank you Father Mike
I've lived my whole life thinking harder is holier. Its so good to hear what that's not true. Saying yes to God is holier
This came at the perfect time... When I wanted answers from Jesus for my present condition. And He answered through you ♥️😇
Piyush Priyadarshan May God bless you, brother!
Father, please please please do a video on Scrupulosity. I struggle daily. I never feel worthy of the Eucharist. I constantly am worried that I have sinned. I know it would help others as well
sam & fam If you are going to confession regularly, attending weekly mass, and saying your prayers on a daily basis, then you are worthy of receiving the Eucharist. If you don’t think you’re worthy of receiving the Eucharist after doing these things, you might have some issues with your “pride”...Pride is of the devil. Be aware of the voice which says to you, you will never be good enough. The cross is bigger than your sins. The mercy of Jesus is overflowing for you.
Look up Jordan Peterson on evil too.
FWIW, I always remind myself, along with the whole Church, that "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof", but he a) calls me to receive him, having seen to it that nothing stands as an impediment through sacramental Confession; and b) he wills to come to me in order to sanctify, remedy, heal, and remake the broken parts. Once I have done what I know I must, it is his will that makes me worthy to approach the altar.
you, like everyone else, are not worthy, you are a sinner BUT you are made worthy through Jesus. He is enough.
@Jake Sat capital G (:
I have a few exams and an essay that's giving me crazy anxiety and depression. I really needed this. Thank you.
Similar here, doing my phd thesis, I completely burned out. I am not anymore! Good luck to you!
@@skodovkar thank you so much for the support!
@Ellen C thank you for the support 💘
Pray to Saint Joseph of Cupertino
I’m going through the crazy anxiety working full time and being in grad school part-time. The only thing keeping me going is knowing I’m almost done and that the anxiety will pass. I’ll say three Hail Marys for us both Lisa. #fixitjesus
At times my cross gets heavy. I know Jesus is with me. I pray the rosary daily especially for the mentally ill who are addicted to illegal drugs. Thank you for teaching us about our Blessed Lord, Amen and Happy Easter to all.
God is listening. I asked him about suffering today, and he sent me this...
I feel that I’ve been throwing tantrums over my chronic illness, can’t work , sometimes can’t get out of bed, depressed & overwhelmed I will pick myself up for his sake I have my grandkids watching & want them to know we can’t quit, I will tell them about my cross & why I’m still here to carry it. Lord I have been through NOTHING my cross is nothing compared to what you do for me , Thank you for holding me when I am weak .
"His cross became His crown..." I love that. Thank you, Father Mike.
They say that the hardest thing in this world is just to live in it. That's what I think of when I think of taking up my cross.
Oh Father Mike...you have no idea how much I needed to here that.
My husband is seriously ill with chronic heart failure and I have become that person you mentioned who can't get out of bed.
We are on the verge of losing our house and I start a new job on Monday, but I so do not want to.
This was just what I needed.
Thank you and God Bless You.
Pamela King God bless you, you will get through this purification. May God give you the strength you may need. Your brothers and sisters in Christ may help you.
Dear Pamela, I've just prayed a Chaplet of Mercy for your and your dear husband. How are you doing these days? May God bless you. 🙏🏻
You are the easiest priest to understand! Thank you.
Hello Diane
Glory to God, you just answered a prayer. God is truly using you as a pen to deliver a message here on earth. I will pray for you. Thank you!
Clare Mangin the Holy Spirit, the divinity of God that is His breath, is flowing through Fr. Mike when he says things so plainly and truthfully.
Thank you Father Mike. I just made a cross out of a palm from today's Palm Sunday Mass. This holy week marks the end of my RCIA journey. I am getting confirmed and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist this Easter Vigil! Pray for me.
We indeed each have a cross to carry! Mine is a mental illness. I don't want it, but I have it, so I carry it. Jesus has made wonderful provisions so that I can carry this: the right meds in the right dosage, excellent medical care, and long-term and emergency care plans. Like I said, I don't want this, but with His Grace, I CAN and DO care this cross! Brothers and sisters in Christ, I will continue to pray that Jesus will stand beside you in all your trials.
This makes me think of a short story entitled “Is Your Cross Too Heavy To Bear?" Where a man prays that his cross is too heavy and Jesus says put your cross in this room and go into the other room and pick the cross you want. The man looks at all the crosses and sees a small one in the corner and pick that one. Jesus then says "My son that is the cross you just brought in.” Jesus never gives us a cross we can not carry. Thank you Fr. Mike for an other great video.
Father Mike, you are really 😎. Your light shines brightly! Thank you Brother for teaching God's REAL word. ASE'
So helpful. I wish I had heard this explanation 40 years ago. I would have made such different decisions about how I lived my life.
Hello Sherry
As a sufferer of scrupulosity, this message really helps me.
im an addict (heroin/fentanyl/carfentanil was my main drug of choice, but id use anything you put in front of me) currently in recovery (1 year 2 months off the sauce!), and this REALLY hits home to me, Father Mike. i really can relate to saying yes and doing something about it, cause i used to kinda think it was just my lot in life to be a dope fiend, and that it was all id ever be, especially cause ive been using since i was 13, doing other drugs even earlier. i just picked up fresh Naloxone (Narcan) today just to be safe, but God Willing, i havent had an OD in a year, and it's all thanks be to God for allowing me to pick up my Cross, and do something about it.
Fr. Mike, you will never know how much this explanation helped me. I've experienced many disheartening things in my life, and this last one (mental illness in my teenage daughter) almost has broken me. Additionally, I feel constantly tempted by sins of the flesh. I wonder if I'll make it to salvation. Please pray for me to accept my crosses and avoid temptation. God bless!
perfect timing. I was just praying that I ask Jesus to teach me to learn to face the difficulties in my life which I can choose to avoid them but because of Jesus, I am offering them to Jesus because there is no cross that Jesus never carried.
Yeah this misperception almost cost me my life and soul. Thanks Fr Mike for the clarification! ... Still learning
Important distinction, though: we aren't set apart "from the world" so much as "for the Lord". We aren't set apart to be anti-world, but to be pro-God, if you will.
I’m praying for you all 🙏
God bless Father Mike , and everyone here to listen to FR Mike’s message.. ❤🙏🏻
🙏
Thank u father. Felt as if the Lord is talking to me through u & as if each and every word was for me. Going trough the hardest part of my life. Completely lost & alone. Pls pray for me and for everyone who might need it the most.
This video makes me think of St. Therese of Lisieux's little way
God give me strength to carry my cross 🙏🙏🙏
this dude needs a podcast
Amen, amen, amen, amen!! If I could like this 1,000,000 times I would! Thank you Father Mike 😊
Very often we ask God to change the situation we find ourselves in, when in reality God puts us into those situations to change us.
is so hard my Son died yesterday 4/18/2019 o my God I MY GOD
Luna Sol - oh Luna my firstborn son died Jan 31,2017. I will pray for you and your family. Please give your fears and hurts to The Divine Mercy..He will look after him and you. God Bless you!💐🇨🇦
What a beautiful name! You have a heavy cross. I’ve lost too. The grace will be provided. Trust God. Even when your blinded, Trust! Never lose sight that Heaven is eternal and it is promised, God will wipe away every tear. We will never weep again. Jesus, I Trust in you. It has been promised to you.
"...that cross became His crown." #preach
I needed this so much! Thank you!
Thank you father mike. Two years ago I was diagnosed with epilepsy and I always asked God why me? and didn’t want to get better. Thank you for letting me realize that I need to get better and take up my cross. ✝️
I gave a massive stroke that left me paralyzed on the left side, this video made me realize and help me feel better and proudbof tge daily cross I carry
Thank you Father.
🙏🏽
God bless you Father Mike!
You're always on time Fr Mike ❤🙏🏼
Thank you Fr Mike!!! Needed to hear this
You’re the best! Thank the Lord for you!
Thank you, Father Mike!!
Wow, so impacting!
By His side and with His strength. I needed this a lot today.
Loved this!!
Spot on :)
Thanks, Fr. Mike.
Thank you for this! It’s so clarifying.
Divine timing for this video to come out.
Great timing for this video
For. His. Sake.... wow, thank you 🙏
That last part made my eyes well up a little, Fr. Mike. I realized, that we are part of the glory we give to God, and for just a moment, I felt special, important. They say God loves each of us as if we were the only one, and I felt that just for a sec. Too cool.
Came at the right time! Thank you so much!
Thank you father, I really need this!
Another "just WOW." Thank you, Fr. Mike
Amen Father Thank you !
I needed this, Father Mike! Thank you!❤️🙏🏼
Whoa! I needed to hear this!
Thanks, Father! God bless!
Thank you for this. God bless you.
Thank you Father!❤️🙏❤️
One of the best videos!!!!
Absolutely beautiful, Fathet Mike. Thank you!!
Thank you Fr Mike. I really needed this!
So glad I saw this. 😇 Thank you Father Mike.
Thank you Father ! 🌻😃🌻
Beautiful!
Amen. ♥️
Thank you!
Amen 🙏🏻 God Bless you always 🙏🏻🙏🏻
THANK YOU SO MUCH!💕
Amen , Thanks Father Mike God bless you too
I needed to hear this at this time. thank you,Fr. Mike
Thank you Father Mike for these amazing reflection.
Absolutely awesome & personalized for me. Thank you Lord! Thank you Fr. Mike... MGBYA!!
Beautiful video, Father, thank you.
Beautiful message! God bless 🙏🏼
Thank you, father. I really needed this today. God bless you
I never wanted to be a teacher, but for the past 5 years I've been thinking that that is what God wanted for me. The hardest the holier, right? NOO. THANK GOD FOR THIS VIDEO! I was going insane with this struggle. Thank you father Mike. God bless!!
I needed this. Thank you Father. God Bless you 🙏🏻
God bless you heart father!
Really needed to hear this as I’m struggling during lent.Thanks Father Mike!
Thank you for sharing your wisdom and the Word, Father Mike.
Great, inspired talk!
Thank You Fr. Mike.
You are an angel! Thank you for this video!
Thank you Father 🙏🙏🙏
It's Christmas time, and i needed this
Thank you Father Mike, for this. Perfect timing.
Your point on passive purification was everything!! Thank you Father Mike 💛
Excellent! Sharing with many others! God Bless you!
Just awesome. No words to describe!!!
For His sake, by His side, with His strength...
Thank you very much for these words Father Mike God Bless You ✝️❤️