A Sunday Morning Thought to Start the Week Off Right

Last week's election should prove to be a special cross for all of us Catholics to bear. Unless the Obama administration backs off forcing Catholic institutions to offer contraceptive and abortions services, according to the dictates of "Obamacare," we're all facing hard choices. The time has come to start thinking this through. 

For example, if you're a business owner, what happens if you're forced to offer health insurance that offers these evil services? If you're an employee, is it OK to be part of a health plan that your company offers? Difficult decisions lie ahead - and not that far ahead. I don't have answers, but I'm feeling the squeeze.

Since I don't have answers yet, I'm going to offer something else for consideration as we start this new week. It's got to do with why God sends us crosses like this. The good news is that this cross, like all other crosses, will serve as a stepping stone to lift us higher. It changes our focus from the mundane to the spiritual. This cross will be a scalpel to ween us off off sin, the inordinate love of self, of pleasure, of all the passing things of this world.

Accept this cross and all crosses God sends us. Just as Jesus' Cross gives us all a new lease on life, so our individual crosses toughen us so that we can step away from any discouragement, despondency or even despair that may undermine our fortitude in standing up to this open attack on our liberty as Catholics. 

Lick your wounds and get on with this new week renewed in the love of Christ, brothers. Thank God for this cross. Remember you're not alone; we're all in this together.