How To Pick Up Your Cross

Fr. Mike’s words on taking up our crosses may come as a relief to many of us. He rejects the “harder is holier” approach, and reminds us that taking up our crosses is ultimately about having more freedom.

Christ says “My yoke is easy, and my is burden light” (Matthew 11:30). God has a particular task for each of us, and taking up our crosses means denying what we want for our lives so that we can do God’s will. After all, that is what we were made to do and the only way to truly be free.

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

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[alyce-kayruckelshaus]

This talk changed my life when it first came out. However, in the past four weeks, it's been the thing that has kept me going. My husband and soul mate was killed in a crash 4 weeks ago. I wish so badly that I had been with him and had died with him. But God chose to keep me from going with him at the last minute. God chose for me to continue living. Without my husband. I have to say YES to this. I have to say YES to living ... and not just survive, but EMBRACE it. Saying YES to living means that I'm doing something positive with my life, not just existing. I need to say YES to hope. I need to say YES to God's future plans for me. Some days this means saying YES to getting out of bed, rather than pulling the covers over my head. Understanding this as passive purification has helped so much and has allowed me to see the holiness and beauty in it. It's also helped me to know that God is going to give me the strength to do all this. My hope is that God will be glorified.(update 3 and 1/2 years later: I wasn't Catholic when I wrote this. I wasn't even considering it. A year and a half later I was welcomed into the Church. That's helped me so much.)

[eristonmansambu]

*"...ultimately holier is not harder, holier is saying YES to the Father..."* - Father Mike Schmitz.

[dominick]

For His sake
By His side
With His strength

My new motto

[daviddabrowski]

I look forward to your videos every week. Almost a year ago I watched your video on mortal sin and it hit me so hard. Finally made me understand how choosing sin is literally me not choosing God. I fought a 15 year pornography addiction. With that one video I said no more. It’s going to be a year this May. Thank you Father Mike. Praise be to God.

[mimi_j]

The enemy thinks that I will be angry with God or deny Him with my loss but I will take up my cross and glorify Him evermore! Glory to God in the highest!

[solidhalon]

Mighty Father, please grant me strength to carry my cross.
Lord Jesus, please grant me patience to not give up.
Holy Spirit, please grant me wisdom to make the right decisions.
Guardian Angel, please keep me in the right path.
Amen.

[natemichalak]

Thank you father. This came at the perfect time for me.

[Sarah-fmll]

"I have these attractions in my life, I don't want them, but here they are." THAT IS SO ME! I wish I didn't have feelings, but they are there. I thought it was just another reason to mope. Now I realize it's a cross I have to bear. That actually makes it amazing to me!

[blakepreston]

This priest is the real deal, strong enough to be speak the truth, a real disciple.

[samanthaeliza]

Father, please please please do a video on Scrupulosity. I struggle daily. I never feel worthy of the Eucharist. I constantly am worried that I have sinned. I know it would help others as well

[nikkif.]

That last part hit me like a ton of bricks. Exactly what I need to hear right now. I have such an unrelatable situation that occurred that I never asked for and the healing process is now causing depression and anxiety. I have been picking up my cross and doing everything possible to get better including taking medication and speaking to a therapist. This also caused me to run to Jesus and completely repent and turn away from a life that was built upon lies. This video gave me so much clarity. I see Jesus has plans for me. I am ready to follow him any way I can. I now belong to a catholic church and I am taking the RCIA class and I am already taking steps to grow in the church community. I pray everyday several times and I get the messages. One thing I witnessed yesterday is that when I am feeling fear, depression, and anxiety, if I think about helping others, all of those symptoms immediately disappear. I know that is definitely Jesus training me to be selfless right now and to follow God's will.

[kevinchahine]

I've lived my whole life thinking harder is holier. Its so good to hear what that's not true. Saying yes to God is holier

[Wanderlusteance]

I have a few exams and an essay that's giving me crazy anxiety and depression. I really needed this. Thank you.

[Amwhoiam]

7:58 😮🥰🙏🏼💒💜 my anxiety isn't a curse it's a blessing from God to use this extra energy for good like helping at church or with my neighbors law. All I want to do is make him happy and than I'm happy because I know he's happy and he's my father I want to make him proud. I feel your love God it bursts in my heart like the sun wow I'm having so many realizations lately thanks be to God. 🥰

[piyushpriyadarshan]

This came at the perfect time... When I wanted answers from Jesus for my present condition. And He answered through you ♥️😇

[heathsavage]

"His cross became His crown..." I love that. Thank you, Father Mike.

[cocochick]

At times my cross gets heavy. I know Jesus is with me. I pray the rosary daily especially for the mentally ill who are addicted to illegal drugs. Thank you for teaching us about our Blessed Lord, Amen and Happy Easter to all.

[IDontKnow-pfen]

im an addict (heroin/fentanyl/carfentanil was my main drug of choice, but id use anything you put in front of me) currently in recovery (1 year 2 months off the sauce!), and this REALLY hits home to me, Father Mike. i really can relate to saying yes and doing something about it, cause i used to kinda think it was just my lot in life to be a dope fiend, and that it was all id ever be, especially cause ive been using since i was 13, doing other drugs even earlier. i just picked up fresh Naloxone (Narcan) today just to be safe, but God Willing, i havent had an OD in a year, and it's all thanks be to God for allowing me to pick up my Cross, and do something about it.

[pamelaking]

Oh Father Mike...you have no idea how much I needed to here that.
My husband is seriously ill with chronic heart failure and I have become that person you mentioned who can't get out of bed.
We are on the verge of losing our house and I start a new job on Monday, but I so do not want to.
This was just what I needed.
Thank you and God Bless You.

[dianeformella]

You are the easiest priest to understand! Thank you.