Reflections on the significance of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, embracing personal crosses, and overcoming sin. Insights on humility and being loved, the power of love and the cross, and how the devil uses our crosses against us. A discussion on dating practices and perspectives, the downfalls of texting in deepening relationships, and the importance of prayers and support.
01:15:06
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Quick takeaways
Embrace our personal crosses as instruments of resurrection.
Don't miss God's presence due to preconceived expectations.
Open and honest communication is crucial in dating.
Deep dives
The Beauty of the Cross
Father Michael reflects on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and emphasizes the importance of embracing the cross in our lives. He discusses how the cross, which was once an instrument of torture, is now adorned with flowers and seen as a symbol of Christ's victory over death. Father Michael encourages us to see our own crosses as instruments that lead to resurrection and not to shy away from them.
Recognizing God's Work
Father Michael highlights the importance of recognizing how God works in our lives and not missing His presence due to our preconceived expectations. He references how the Jews missed Jesus as the Messiah because they were expecting a different kind of savior. Similarly, we can sometimes miss God's work in our lives when we are afraid of the cross or focus on our own perceptions instead of surrendering to His plan.
Navigating Dating and Expectations
Father Michael briefly touches on the topic of dating and the difficulties faced by both men and women. He suggests open and honest communication when it comes to dating expectations and desires. He also mentions the idea of multiple dating tiers, where individuals can be more open to different dating experiences and breakups, allowing for more discernment and personal growth in the process.
Recognizing the difference between conviction from the Lord and conviction from the devil
The speaker discusses an experience of being convicted of a flaw and the importance of discerning whether it comes from the Lord or the devil. They emphasize that while the devil may point out genuine flaws, he does it to instill shame, while the Lord's conviction aims to bring forth growth and bear fruit.
Understanding the meaning of suffering and the beauty of the cross
The podcast explores the meaning of suffering and the repulsion towards death and the cross. It highlights that these sentiments are natural due to our nature and the call to eternal life. However, the speaker emphasizes that knowing ourselves loved is key to accepting and finding purpose in our crosses. They emphasize the need to see the cross with the perspective of resurrection and not despair, as the devil uses half-truths to discourage. The speaker also touches on how age and communication affect the stages of dating and discernment.
This week Fr. Michael reflects on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. In this feast, we shower the cross in the church with flowers to show the significance and importance of the feast. Fr. Michael talks about the need for us to look at our personal crosses with this same sort of significance and reverence.