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Friends of the Rosary,
The fruits and the virtues to cultivate of the fifth mystery of Jesus dying in the cross—that we pray today—are self-denial, perseverance, and salvation. Moreover, as we learn in today’s reading (MT 16:24-28), Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
You might wonder if this message is insensitive and too extreme because, after all, we are already suffering countless difficulties and disappointments in our daily lives.
The factual reality is that Jesus’ words mean hope and joy. How is that?
In our fear, lack of charity, and faith—and in many cases, with our pride and rebellion—we have lost sight of who Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary, the saints, and our Heavenly family are. They are love and they are rooting for us.
When we understand that our path to the fullness of life here on Earth is to serve the Lord, because we were created with that purpose, then we comprehend that losing our life for Christ is in truth to save it.
We serve Jesus and Mary in this life and we enjoy their presence in the next one.
Saints, with all their suffering, were the happiest people on Earth.
[Written by Mikel A | TheRosaryNetwork.org]
