News from Good News Ministries:
- The Cross Stands Firm
- From Our Video Archives: Stations of the Cross by GNM Artists
- Plus great links to great content!
The Cross Stands Firm
It seems that the world is moving at a frenetic pace today. We are over-connected on social media, yet more socially distant from one another, and as technology continues to advance, society seems to be spiraling out of control. We anonymously attack others with words online, then we are surprised when we see an increase in violence in our neighborhoods.
Some days, it feels like we are watching society disintegrate before our eyes, and we wonder if there is any reason for us to hope. Yet in the midst of all the chaos, the Church declared a Jubilee of Hope. You might be thinking, how can our Church make this decree during these dark and difficult days? The answer is the Holy Cross.
This past Sunday (September 14th), we celebrated the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Do you find it strange that we dedicate a feast to venerate a brutal instrument of torture and execution? I do. Many of us, myself included, wear a Crucifix or a Cross. Why? Because Jesus transformed the cross into a symbol of hope. Through His passion, death, and resurrection, He conquered death and used the cross as the instrument to bridge the chasm between heaven and earth.
We exalt the cross in our lives because Jesus was victorious over its intended purpose to humiliate and extinguish life. It is no longer a symbol of death, but our greatest reason to hold on to hope. St. Bruno, the founder of the Carthusian religious order, perhaps summed it up best: “while the world changes, the cross stands firm.”
As the news cycles swirl like a cyclone, and discord and violence escalate, the cross remains our anchor of hope. If we cling to and exalt the Holy Cross in our lives, we, like Jesus, will conquer death. Knowing there is victory over death gives us peace in recognizing that no matter how great our present sufferings might be, if we take up our crosses and follow Jesus, we will share eternity with Him in heaven.
I encourage you this week to reflect on the power of Christ’s sacrifice by praying the Stations of the Cross. If you need a devotional to help aid your meditation, check out this beautiful video version of the Way of the Cross by GNM artists.
We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, for by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
Reflect on the power of Christ’s Sacrifice with this beautiful meditation on the 14 Stations of the Cross:
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Media Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
Find this and past issues at gnm.org/newsletter. Please share what will minister to others.
Please share this with others by inviting them to visit this page. You may also print this for your personal use and you may share the print-out with others.
A free PDF document of this is available for your own personal use.
How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints