Dear Friends,
The sign of Cross on the forehead is the seal of the true Christian. It
sets him apart from beast that has the sign, 666 (Rev. 20.4). On judgement
day the seal will be laid bare and each one will be asked, "Where is your
Sign?" Everyone found with the sign of Cross will be saved and those with
the mark of the beast will be damned.
The ordinary Cross of a Christian is integrated with Penance.
"Unless you repent you will all perish"(Luke 13.3). There exist 5 common
means of penance. They are.
1. Fasting
2. Abstinence
3. Almsgiving
4. Joyful obedience to the Will of God
5. Perfection of duties attached to one’s state of life
FASTING
----------
In the Fatima message, we are asked to fast every Friday in reparation
for the sins committed against God. The devil is powerless against fasting.
ABSTINENCE
------------
It refers to the non-eating of meat on certain days like Wednesday and
Friday and other days prescribed by the Church. The physical weakness we
experience during abstinence is the sacrifice we make to repair for the sins
committed against God. “ For it is when I am weak that I am strong (2 Cor
12.10).
ALMSGIVING
------------
Almsgiving is giving up to the poor or the needy an essential portion
of what we have and not of what is in excess or surplus in our budget. In
spite of their poverty, the Holy Family of Nazareth gave 30% of everything
they had. It must have hurt their budget considerably, knowing that it was
only St. Joseph, through his humble work as a carpenter, who provide for the
family needs.
If even in our want we continue to share with those who are in
greater need, and if it leaves us hurting, then we experience the true
meaning of the Cross of almsgiving.
JOYFUL OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD
------------------------------------
It is our resignation to accept with joy and openness the crosses God
deems to send us. Jesus told us "No one who does not carry his cross and
come after me can be my disciple" (Luke 14.:27)
PERFECTION OF THE DUTY OF ONE’ S STATE OF LIFE
-----------------------------------------------
It consisting of performing according to what our roles in life
dictate. If we are married, then we should be a good mother or father to our
children and a devoted spouse to our wife or husband. If we are in the
religious life, whether priest or sister, then we must faithful to our vows
or promises. Lastly if we are single then we must live in purity and work
with diligence in our profession. According to Father Tanquerey to fulfill
one’s duty as perfectly as one can is to offer God the most perfect
sacrifice within our giving, a perpetual holocaust, since this duty rests
upon us from morning until night.
Bensilal Chacko
DE, USA
_________________________________________________________________
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