Re-visiting the Stations via Archbishop Sheen's Little Book
I felt I needed something to keep me spiritually motivated this winter and decided to dig out an old copy of one of my favorite Catholic teachers (via old books and media), Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
The booklet is entitled The Way of the Cross and contains his brief reflections on the devotion.
Why the Stations? Honestly because I have always kind of feared this devotion that we see reflected on the walls of most Roman Catholic churches that I know and a lot of my "mental health" treatment over the years has focused on confronting and overcoming fears.
Anyway, I would really be a "chicken of a Christian" if I couldn't look at and learn from Our Lord's Passion and Death.
I honestly don't like the idea of having to "take up my own cross and follow Him." I don't think anyone in their right mind would want to imitate what this devotion portrays if they did not understand beforehand that it is actually the Way to a Life of Freedom and Charity.
The Way of the Cross is also The Way to God's Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven like we pray in the Our Father.
Anyway I need to remind myself quite often that all these Catholic (which actually means Universal) teachings and things that I do my best to learn from and practice are all about learning to live.
Life.
Life giving teachings and preaching and practices and devotions etc.
He came that we might have Life and Life in Abundance.
So many people need God's Life in them. Actually all of us.
We need It in us and we need to recognize It in others.
God bless you with the Peace and Grace you need to carry whatever cross you're burdened with right now.
May He lift the weight from your precious shoulders.
Amen