How To Pick Up Your Cross

[@eristonmansambu8225]

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

[@IONov990]

I always thought the harder penances would bring me closer to God

[@eristonmansambu8225]

@@IONov990, now just see why our God is the FATHER🙏🏼!

[@tyler9863]

Amen!

[@galadethlaernis6266]

...and take up your cross and follow Me!☦🛐

[@josephjackson1956]

EMM CM holiness is not just hard, it's IMPOSSIBLE... (without God) ;)

[@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224]

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.)

[@heartolearn9413]

Alyce-Kay Ruckelshaus you are a warrior for having that attitude. God bless you, and all the strength to you and those YES’s when it may seem hard.

[@ellen823ful]

Alyce-Kay Ruckelshaus I’m so sorry for your loss. Take time to grieve. You can just be with it for awhile, as long as you need. Little by little you can regroup. Just be patient with the process. God is gentle and will comfort you. He cries with you, too.

[@mchipudhla]

May The Lord bless you always dear sister. Amen

[@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224]

It's now been a little over a year since my husband's death. I just want to say that this has been a huge part of getting me through. Intentionally saying yes to God, because living right now is just my cross. Picking it up and engaging with life is so hard but this is what I have to say yes to. The other thing that has helped me immensely is the chaplet of Divine Mercy. Especially the prayer at the end where we ask for God's mercy and as a result are able to submit ourselves with confidence to his holy will. That is definitely a reality for me now as God has been filling me with grace and mercy in answer to my prayers. Thank you so much to those of you who have shared as well. Your responses have also really uplifted me. Seeing how other people apply this is very helpful and encouraging.

[@user00578___]

@@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224 Good luck and stay strong. May the Lord help you, as he said "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Mt 11:28. You'll find rest with him. :-) Love and blessings 😀

[@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.

[@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!

[@blakepreston9108]

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

[@Sarah-fm6ll]

"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!

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Ahh yes! I wanted to be an opera singer once. Instead I ended up a therapist working with death and dying. I woulda paid big money to dodge that bullet. Oh well. I’m older now, probably would still pick singing, but alas! Lol. My cross was a blessing, sigh. I’m not sorry.

[@Sarah-fm6ll]

@@Donna-cc1kt Glad it worked out for you :)

[@dwlumpkin7726]

Have the same cross to bear dear. This helped me so much. God bless you and keep you.

[@nikkif.409]

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.

[@lavenderlatte96]

I will pray for you, friend! Such a beautiful and good testimony, I see God is working through you :) be strong and of good courage! I am in the same boat you are so I will pray for a friend in Christ ❤ God bless you 🕊

[@cocochick3612]

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.

[@piyushpriyadarshan7555]

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

[@tyler9863]

Piyush Priyadarshan May God bless you, brother!

[@razberrymist9475]

God is listening. I asked him about suffering today, and he sent me this...

[@kirsinaldini2004]

This VIdeo is 4 years old and you're still an inspiration. Thank you Father Mike

[@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

[@Rich.-]

sam & fam If you are going to confession regularly, attending weekly mass, and saying your prayers on a daily basis, then you are worthy of receiving the Eucharist. If you don’t think you’re worthy of receiving the Eucharist after doing these things, you might have some issues with your “pride”...Pride is of the devil. Be aware of the voice which says to you, you will never be good enough. The cross is bigger than your sins. The mercy of Jesus is overflowing for you.

[@vima602]

Look up Jordan Peterson on evil too.

[@sttommore]

FWIW, I always remind myself, along with the whole Church, that "I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof", but he a) calls me to receive him, having seen to it that nothing stands as an impediment through sacramental Confession; and b) he wills to come to me in order to sanctify, remedy, heal, and remake the broken parts. Once I have done what I know I must, it is his will that makes me worthy to approach the altar.

[@nellamc5833]

you, like everyone else, are not worthy, you are a sinner BUT you are made worthy through Jesus. He is enough.

[@nav6840]

@Jake Sat capital G (:

[@dianeformella6450]

You are the easiest priest to understand! Thank you.

[@steve.t8138]

Hello Diane

[@claremangin2684]

Glory to God, you just answered a prayer. God is truly using you as a pen to deliver a message here on earth. I will pray for you. Thank you!

[@josephjackson1956]

Clare Mangin the Holy Spirit, the divinity of God that is His breath, is flowing through Fr. Mike when he says things so plainly and truthfully.

[@Crocco1998]

This makes me think of a short story entitled “Is Your Cross Too Heavy To Bear?" Where a man prays that his cross is too heavy and Jesus says put your cross in this room and go into the other room and pick the cross you want. The man looks at all the crosses and sees a small one in the corner and pick that one. Jesus then says "My son that is the cross you just brought in.” Jesus never gives us a cross we can not carry. Thank you Fr. Mike for an other great video.

[@sherryslr]

So helpful. I wish I had heard this explanation 40 years ago. I would have made such different decisions about how I lived my life.

[@steve.t8138]

Hello Sherry

[@danielar8490]

Amen, amen, amen, amen!! If I could like this 1,000,000 times I would! Thank you Father Mike 😊

[@CAT-ig4fj]

I feel that I’ve been throwing tantrums over my chronic illness, can’t work , sometimes can’t get out of bed, depressed & overwhelmed I will pick myself up for his sake I have my grandkids watching & want them to know we can’t quit, I will tell them about my cross & why I’m still here to carry it. Lord I have been through NOTHING my cross is nothing compared to what you do for me , Thank you for holding me when I am weak .

[@greypilgrim9967]

Thank you. So many times over, thank you Father Mike for sharing the truth and the love of our God. I'm at a trying time in my life with the passive purification the Lord has seen fit to give me, not to mention it has caused me to doubt my vocation and this talk has helped greatly. And I'm understating it! God bless you Father Mike

[@israelcarranza7732]

I’m praying for you all 🙏

[@Ellepiarr]

That last part made my eyes well up a little, Fr. Mike. I realized, that we are part of the glory we give to God, and for just a moment, I felt special, important. They say God loves each of us as if we were the only one, and I felt that just for a sec. Too cool.

[@stephaniedorothy6525]

So, good! Fr. Mike this was the clearest description of taking up your cross daily, I’ve ever heard. I so want to be Catholic, but I have one huge roadblock. 😢

[@Alexa-kb7fl]

Thank you for your priesthood - truly you are a gift from God to us all. Bless you Fr. Mike and keep up your wonderful work of showing us the way to Him.

[@carousel87]

I saw this minutes before I received some bad news. I am thankful because I found strength to respond during the situation. I know it was Christ's strength that sustained me while I listened to every word I didn't want to hear. The pain is still present in my heart, but I know the Lord is at work and I continue to trust Him and praise Him. Thanks Fr Mike.

[@ponytales707]

I have been seeking a deeper understanding to the meaning of "taking up my cross". I know we each have our own cross to bear and that cross, in a sense, becomes our mission in life. What was missing in my understanding was the connection between carrying my cross to fulfill my mission and giving up or losing my life for the sake of Jesus. Thank you Father for bringing clarity to what, I thought, were two different acts but in fact are one in the same! Today was my first experience watching your YT channel.... I might just have rediscovered the catholic in me! 😊

[@bibles1234]

Hi Fr. Mike, 1st thank you for all the work and time that you put into each of these videos, I watch and rewatch them! I work for the Catholic Church as the coordinator of family life at my Parish in the Dallas diocese. I find my work very rewarding and I love what I do on a daily basis. As you know, work in the church can be extremely rewarding but also very difficult, heartbreaking and sometimes exhausting. I have a gentleman that has been emailing me off and on for several years requesting prayers, one of the things I do at the parish is an email prayer chain. That's how we came to know each other. He lives in Maryland. This video spoke directly to my heart and I believe it will to Gary's heart as well. I've sent him the link. It never fails that God sends the exact person to us with the message we need to hear when we need to hear it and when we're READY to hear it. I sent him this video because I think it will speak to him in the way that he needs to hear...From Christ...through you... to him. In my own life I've been struggling with a relationship with a man that I love with all my heart for over a year and we keep having the same misstep which are all about communication issues or kack thereof. I have asked God so many times "please, please God let this man be for me. Please let this relationship work, please... (dot, dot, dot) I've been fighting so hard and refusing to think this relationship might not be what God wants. I know and believe that He only wants what is for our greater good. So many times we fight for what we want and forget to ask God what does He want for me? "Tell me God what you want and I'll do it, I'll pick up my cross and deny myself just tell me!!" Thing is, if I'd stop shouting, begging, bargining with God I might actually hear what He wants!I truly enjoy your videos, I think they are great and I share them with couples that I work with and prepare for marriage and with people that I that come to me in grief, loss, dovorce or addiction. I always am able to find a video that you have done that speaks to me and I know speaks to them. May God bless you Father Mike, may He bless you abundantly in all areas of your life and I thank you for your priesthood... I thank you for your service and I thank you for the face of Christ that you show.

[@ChristineCorey]

For. His. Sake.... wow, thank you 🙏

[@lauramahoney930]

Father Mike you are changing the world one word at a time!! God bless you.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

They say that the hardest thing in this world is just to live in it. That's what I think of when I think of taking up my cross.

[@ehhhhhwhocares]

Fr. Mike, your comments about the misunderstanding of 'deny yourself' at 1:30 is precisely what God has begun to reveal to me lately. The way my clinging to this mistaken notion has hindered God's plan and my peace in it is tremendous. Thank you for mentioning this to all your listeners and affirming for me what I've been receiving in prayer.

[@sarafernengle3676]

Thank you so much for clarifying, Fr. Mike! This is very helpful to me. “Holiness is not ‘harder’-holiness is saying yes to the will of God.”

[@loribothwell5493]

This is so helpful when we go through suffering isn't it

[@thatcatholicgirlhelena]

Hello Fr Mike schmitz, God bless you because you've been and are still a blessing to me. Your teachings are so profound.

[@herminiasantos9981]

TIMELY VIDEO. I need to remember - " for my sake, by my side, with my strength." I will remember these like a mantra.. such is Jesus love that when I think I'm carrying my cross alone, the wonder is Jesus carries it for me! Thanks Fr Mike.God bless you!

[@Joy-d1p]

Really needed to hear this as I’m struggling during lent.Thanks Father Mike!

[@SMSP21]

Many thanks for this Fr Mike! "Holier Is Saying Yes To The Father."

[@LOG2007]

Thank you, Father Schmitz! I need to listen to this video every day.

[@victorlouieestoconing5666]

I gave a massive stroke that left me paralyzed on the left side, this video made me realize and help me feel better and proudbof tge daily cross I carry

[@ckeast5588]

Father, you are so on "FIRE!"

[@ElectronicGigabyte]

I am not Catholic, but I really like this. Too many times our own mind or the devil convinces us that the LORD's way is the really hard way. It's a matter of attitude following Jesus Christ. Let the Holy Ghost give you inspiration on what you need to do in your life.

[@maherdridi6226]

Thank you Fr.Mike your videos are helping me a lot. For my sake by my side with my strength i'd try to get that by heart.

[@gregorythorne6101]

I'm wanting to write something special to thank you for these wonderful discourses, but the others here tell it all...Thank you Father !

[@jordanebert]

"For his sake, by his side, with his strength" Thank you for this ❤️❤️❤️

[@tagabulodchastityobedience7292]

Perfect timing!! Soo hard to carry hardship everyday..But Thank you Father 😰( I’m trying soo hard)

[@Donna-cc1kt]

Jesus fell 3 times when carrying his cross. Failing moments is what defines carrying a cross and sometimes falling. . We just get up. Easy huh? No. I pray you pass though the eye of a needle to see your God. You are purifying for the eternal life and you are called. God bless you.

[@maryjanemccarthy2907]

I am the new RCIA director of my parish Christ the King in Pleasant Hill. I am designing our new program (Easter 2020) with adding your videos that pertain to each meeting. THANK YOU! Praise God for your gifts, direction, humor, and teaching. Hallelujah! I love you! WE love you!

[@steve.t8138]

Hello MJ

[@IONov990]

This video makes me think of St. Therese of Lisieux's little way

[@alejandro.s.m.]

Glory to God! Thank you Father. Very well explained. We have to carry our cross in Grace, in a path to Sanctity with a constant conversion and praying. We have the whole channel in our prayers, keep up with the good preaching. Your spiritual sons. Viva Cristo Rey!

[@rosemarymaher6726]

I particularly enjoyed this video. The comment about your cross becoming a crown ,and doing it all for Jesus really stopped me in my tracks. We can be really struggling with a cross but this is a great thought to return to in the times of struggle. I also liked the explanation of passive and active crosses. keep up the good work.

[@4evaavfc]

Thanks, Father. Yes, the Lord helps those who (choose) to help themselves.

[@misstropicanna14]

That was a GOOD one!! Exactly what I needed to hear. As usual. God is always on time which means Fr. Mike is always on time. Thank you Father!

[@fram1111]

What does an average week for you look like? You pray the Liturgy of the Hours five times a day, spend time in adoration, pray the rosary, create podcasts, and fulfill your priestly duties. This doesn’t include the unknown research and confession time which can take up to 10-20 hours a week. Oh, I forgot about speaking and teaching duties. Am i close? Thank you for all the quality work you do with a smile, Prayers for you and all the clergy.

[@RiriCoco]

Harder is not holier. Thank you so much for this revelation, Father

[@pazbingham4450]

Amazing explanation!! Thank you Father Mike!! I struggle with this one for ever.. You made me understand so much better and it comes at a time in my life when I am facing a few crosses I didn't choose and I do not want.. You helped me so much... God Bless you

[@paulrubio3918]

Thank you, Father Mike, for this incredibly insightful message. I sometimes take that "hard is holier" approach, and what you share here helps me see that it's not about burdens, but following more closely to Christ Who leads us to Heaven. This is a good message for me to hear as Lent 2019 concludes, and I think about take-aways from this Lent.

[@rosalindacuevas2117]

Thank you. Father Mike, this is what I needed to hear. God bless you always.

[@steve.t8138]

Hello Rosalinda

[@CAMM55]

Thank you Father Mike! Your programs had help a lot! God Blees you! I used to lived in Minnesota! I studied in Sta Agnes Catholic School

[@birgitcangonja5175]

God give me strength to carry my cross 🙏🙏🙏

[@wreloise1]

“Stepping out of one’s comfort zone” towards conversion to Catholicism …choices have been active with passive consequences… Mental struggle (ups and downs continue) 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@eugeneseville8842]

'God,I need your help' is all I've been saying all my life and today He told me to help myself first cause he's been helping me since I was born.

[@lindah225]

Amen! It is not what we do, but what Christ has done for us. Everything, in His name! It is a blessing to be a blessing.

[@agatonfamily5471]

Active purification. Passive purification. Thank you, Fr. Mike. Very helpful.

[@josetteabdilla-cunningham1542]

Brilliant. thank you for the guidance. May God bless you and all priests and religious, always.

[@steve.t8138]

Hello Josette

[@leonardodasilvagarcia673]

It's been a while since I have been looking for this answer to understand what I have to do with my condition. Thank you, father Mike.

[@amon1773]

Thank you, this gave me a clearer understanding about taking up our daily crosses and following Christ daily.

[@sapphirestoker5555]

Sorry for being later Father M, I had to take on lifes struggles. I understand this message, I understand your words, the meanings. Thank You. Hope you're happy and content with life. UK.

[@littlegirl3263]

For his sake, by his side, with his strength, thy will be done🙏✝️

[@SteleCat]

I think I am finally beginning to understand something my earthly father taught me growing up. Thank you.

[@sharongeiger687]

Another "just WOW." Thank you, Fr. Mike

[@xtic3302]

Thank you so much, Fr. I am so moved by what you said and as if Jesus was speaking to me directly. I needed to hear that. Please pray for me.

[@carmenf.desousa-aritst3044]

I so much needed this talk today....God bless you Father

[@steve.t8138]

Hello Carmen

[@angelaosborn6722]

Thank you Fr. Mike. So true. But sometimes you do need to get tough.. Our parish priest told me what you're saying too. God bless you. 🙏🙏

[@Tom-fx9mk]

Please pray for me.

[@dubspot420]

I always thought of taking up the cross meaning i was preparing for my physical death so that I can spiritually live forever. But i love this video and explanation also. Thanks father!! Love you

[@guadalupelaudanno4229]

Thank you Fr. Mike.

[@PabloMartinez-zv4gp]

Absolutely awesome & personalized for me. Thank you Lord! Thank you Fr. Mike... MGBYA!!

[@hynjus001]

I recently took up an enormous cross I've been putting off for 10 years and I say this emphatically: the Father held me through it. I could feel Jesus holding the cross with me. This isn't metaphor or middle eastern zen. This is real

[@louisesaucedo7033]

I am so thankfull I was guided to watch this video. I needed to hear this. This is what I am going through currently with a job loss. Thank you for the motivation and encouragement.

[@jamesmorrissey2297]

Father, with all do respect. Doing something I don't want to do is harded than doing something I want to do.

[@cathybranly1839]

Thanks Fr. Mike. I watch my little grand baby everyday which of course keeps me from doing all kinds of things I want to do. Crosses can be adorable too!

[@imommtube]

I should have seen this 50 years ago, thanks a lot, really. as always, each video is pure gold to my life

[@attheseen]

I am so glad I found Father Mike's channel. Thank you for putting in the time to deliver these amazingly insightful messages. 👏

[@_eemjee_]

I cannot stop nodding. I agree with everything he said. Thanks for this! For teaching and reminding us!!

[@blo1314]

Powerful, just what i needed to help me through life right now. Such a great reminder that we should do everything for the glory of God no matter how hard it is for us.

[@pattynieters8107]

Thanks again Fr. Mike! I needed thus today!

[@HarryYonemuraIII]

Best one I have seen Fr. Mike! Thank you for the hard work you do in producing these videos.

[@mayg9197]

A daily food for the soul, thank you Father.

[@web71819]

Thank you very much for these words Father Mike God Bless You ✝️❤️

[@nonjabuloshezi2728]

This is going to change my life forever. wow this is incredibly powerful. i have found my favorite scripture and the meaning behind it that is amazing.

[@Jordana1917]

Excellent as always! Greetings from Brazil!

[@clarafierro6921]

Amen , Thanks Father Mike God bless you too

[@AW_7_7_7]

Thank you Father Mike, for this. Perfect timing.

[@shannonabeywardena7323]

Thank you, Father Mike!!

[@kimlinford3484]

I am so glad I listened to this. Thank you.

[@jessisamess7429]

this dude needs a podcast

[@olFreddylo]

God bless you heart father!

[@rosatavares3633]

Listening and taking it all in then, at the end, For my sake By my side With my strength I hear.... Father Son Holy Spirit just had to share. anyone else?

[@giovannipagliari1537]

Great video as always Father Mike! Active and passive purification is an amazing explanation and such a blessing to me! Thanks for your message and God bless you in your ministry in the name of Jesus Christ!

[@catemahoney281]

Thank you, Fr. Mike. My crosses have exponentially increased in recent weeks...or so it seems. Your message couldn't have been better timed. A Godwink? Good bet. God bless!

[@golfkell]

Uplifting, thank you Father! Yeshua Hamashiack

[@R_Thomp]

Thank you Father!

[@antonioborriello5287]

Hello again Fr. Mike! Was just wondering, suggestion....., could you please make a video speaking about the responsibility married spouses have to each others needs, keeping vows, breaking vows, sacrificing our own wants, being happy together in Christ. I thank you for all of your love and effort which you put into the videos and hope you can take some time to speak on my requested subject. May the Holy Spirit. Be with you alays. God bless you Fr. Mike