Our Cross

Today's Readings:
Gn 11:1-9
Ps 33:10-15
Mk 8:34-9:1

Jesus states in our Gospel today that we must deny ourselves and take up our cross in order to follow after him. Each of our crosses are different, but each of us do carry some sort of cross. These crosses range from illnesses, addictions, grudges, to simply trying to just find where God is calling us to; but we all have some kind of cross we bear. Alone we would not be able bear its weight, but we are not alone; we have our Lord who promised to be with his Church until the end of time, and we have each other. Each day we are given the chance to help out with each others burdens, but sometimes we get caught up in our own to see. It is only in working together and with the grace of God that we can carry these crosses. Today let truly ask our Lord to be with us as we journey together and help one another through our journey of this passing life to life everlasting. Have a great day and God Bless.


Saint of the Day - St. Eucherius
St. Eucherius was born in Orleans, France, in the eighth century. He received a Christian upbringing and education. A sentence from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians made a big impression on him: "This world as we see it is passing away" (1 Corinthians 7:31). It made Eucherius realize that our lives on this earth are very short. He realized that heaven and hell last forever. He decided to seek the joys of heaven by living for God alone. In 714, St. Eucherius left his rich home and entered a Benedictine abbey. There he spent seven years in close union with God. After the death of his uncle, the bishop of Orleans, in 721, Eucherius was chosen to take his place. Eucherius was then only twenty-five and he was very humble. He did not want to leave his beloved abbey. With tears, he begged to be allowed to remain alone with God in the monastery. But finally, he gave in for love of obedience. Eucherius became a holy, wise bishop. He did much good to his priests and people. A powerful political figure, Charles Martel, used to take some of the Church's money to support his wars. Because Bishop Eucherius told him that was wrong, Charles had him taken prisoner. He was exiled first to Cologne, then to a fort near Liege. But the governor in whose charge Martel had placed the bishop was moved by Eucherius' meekness toward his enemies. Some time later, the governor quietly released the bishop from prison and sent him to a monastery. Here the saint spent all his time peacefully in prayer until his death in 743.
Reflection: Today, we might consider reflecting on the words of St. Paul, which made a big impression on St. Echerius: "This world as we see it is passing away" (1 Cor 7:31).

Saint information comes from: http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/dailysaint/february/0220.asp