Face the Cross (Jn 13:38) by Shane Kapler

15 Apr Face the Cross (Jn 13:38) by Shane Kapler

“Will you lay down your life for me?” ~ Jn 13:38 (full readings)

Shane’s Reflections:  Jesus posed that question to Peter, after the great apostle rashly declared his ability to follow the Master anywhere, even if meant forfeiting his own life. Looking into Peter’s soul, Jesus enlightened him regarding the true state of his soul when challenged by the Cross, “Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” Each of us presumes far too much on our ability to face the Cross.  We forget that we are continually in need of a fresh infusion of God’s grace to accept our share of Christ’s Cross.  Unless we are in living contact with the Master, continually offering ourselves to Him and asking  Him to give us His strength, we will fall when threatened by the world.
* Shane Kapler is the author of “The God Who is Love: Explaining Christianity From Its Center” and co-author of “Tending the Temple.” He works as a speech therapist in St. Louis, but his favorite “job” is being a Dad. Visit www.explainingchristianity.com.

Faith Challenge:  In the last several devotions I have penned, I have issued the same challenge: pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Call out to God – today – for His mercy on this wayward world.  Petition Him, through the Passion of His only begotten Son, to convert this nation that values neither the unborn nor the sanctity of marriage.  Beg him for the grace to stand firm when persecution comes – that Christ will fill you with His strength so that you can continue to confess and live His truth while sharing His Cross.  “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world … For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. Eutychius

Faith Quote:  “Both Judas and Peter denied Our Lord, but Judas repented unto himself, which was regret and remorse, and took his own life; Peter repented unto the Lord, which produced a new man .…” ~Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Through Christ our Lord,
Shane