Bernadette of Lourdes: Crosses

Fasting Day 39 of 40 | Good Friday –

Imagine Moses prostrate before the Lord? His appears in the posture of a cross, pleading for God to forgive His people for worshiping the golden calf. That was his cross to bear for his people. And on Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross, making a way of forgiveness for all humanity.

Bernadette of Lourdes writes, “I can only kiss the crosses which the Divine Master has seen fit to lay upon us. Let us pray Him to grant that we may bear them with submission and generosity.”

Each of us has a different cross to bear. Jesus teaches us that the reason we deny ourselves is so we can take up our cross and follow Him. Bernadette says two things that stand out.

First, she says to kiss the crosses. This means we serve Him gratefully, not grudgingly. We don’t question His ways, His timing, or anything on the way.

Second, she beckons us to pray that we can bear our crosses with submission and generosity. This explains the significance of surrender during Lent. We agree to serve as conduits of blessing in life after Lent. And we do that rooted in His generosity to richly supply.

Do some more journaling. Make a list of forty sins that come to mind. Now take seven minutes to thank Jesus for dying on the cross for you. Ask Him to help you deny yourself, leave those sins behind, and follow Him.