The Cross, the Holy Cross, is heavy. First there are my sins. Then the sad truth of our Mother the Church's suffering. For so many Catholics are apathetic: they want, without really wanting. And those we love are separated from us, for all kinds of reasons. And other people or we ourselves are suffering illness and trials. The Cross, the Holy Cross, is heavy. Fiat, adimpleatur...! "May the most just, the most lovable Will of God be done, be fulfilled, be praised and exalted above all things for ever! Amen. Amen.'' St. Josemaria Escriva (The Forge, 769)I love this quote from St. Josemaria. In the weight of the cross, it places second to our own sins the weight of the Church's suffering. I know so many Catholics who are discouraged and weighed down by the weight of the Church. Perhaps they are in good company.
St. Josemaria also referred to the "seal" of the cross as the mark of any true apostolic undertaking. It reminds me of one of my favorite pieces of spiritual direction: if you don't want to do something, it's a good sign that you are supposed to be doing it. I'm sure that in a strange way it's a comfort to those who are laboring for the Lord to feel the weight of His cross. For those like Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, that weight was often her only reassurance of the Lord's presence.
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