This year I learned, once again how the blessings of the Lord in our lives also include the crosses. For this lesson I remain thankful to the Lord, and humbly give praise to him for things the world sees as signs of success and as obstacles to pure enjoyment. Frankly it is this lesson, in which God the Father builds our character, which modern society rejects which forms the roots of our greatest sins against God.

Hebrews 12 6-10:

For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his sons; for what son is there, whom the father doth not correct? But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Moreover we have had fathers of our flesh, for instructors, and we reverenced them: shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits, and live? And they indeed for a few days, according to their own pleasure, instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his sanctification. Now all chastisement for the present indeed seemeth not to bring with it joy, but sorrow: but afterwards it will yield, to them that are exercised by it, the most peaceable fruit of justice.

Cite: Vulgate - Douay-Rheims - Knox Bible side by side (catholicbible.online)

The Church Fathers cite the following passages from the Old to New Testaments to support this teaching:

· Deuteronomy 8:5-6: So you must realize that the LORD, your God, disciplines you even as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, keep the commandments of the LORD, your God, by walking in his ways and fearing him.

· Proverbs 3:12: For whom the LORD loves he reproves, and he chastises the son he favors.

· 1 Corinthians 11:31-32: If we discerned ourselves, we would not be under judgment; but since we are judged by [the] Lord, we are being disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

· Revelation 3:19: Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.

Cite: God's Fatherly Discipline, the Promise of the Heavenly Jerusalem and the Unshakable Kingdom (agapebiblestudy.com)

Today I know with absolute certainty why we face our trials in daily life. It is to ensure our conscience must face either the known conflict before us with God’s written laws, or if we are ignorant of them Natural Law. In these ethical confrontations we must resolve to be with God or against him. These decisions determine if we end our lives as a friend of Christ, and participant in his Passion, or unknown to his eternal family.

In a society which wants all to claim victory with no proof of winning, demonizes strong husbands, endorses fathers shirking their duties to wives and children, demeans the essential cultural core of women in a family’s life, desires to steal the morality authority of parents over their children, and casts God’s Law below the level of trash in the dump opportunities abound to respond favorably to God’s chastisements and training. It brings pain to live this way, and I am no stranger to it. I can see the benefits of embracing the cross in the lives of myself, my wife, my family and those who are my role models everyday.

Without the blessings of crosses I would not be deeper into my Bible than ever before. I would not read the Church Fathers direct apostolic commentary on what Christ meant though its connection to tradition and even more ancient text. I would not be working nights, helping with Trail Life in a leadership role, have moved to a more farm like location, or embraced the culture of life central to Christian living. Without such deep reflection I would not understand these crosses result from God’s Permissive Will, the effects of my own and other’s choices, and so I would blame God as my enemy. Rather now know I must work towards the virtue of Job who was resolute in his faith despite adversity and temptation.

My challenge in the coming years is to embrace these challenges with joy, by example to point others to Christ, and connect people to the lost meaning of God’s Patriarchy by opening a door for them to receive the Holy Spirit. All this must be done through the sacramental cornerstones of the eucharist and confession, and with my family by my side. Only in this way will I find the peace the world cannot give, and express my thankfulness to God properly on a joyous day like today.