Feburary 23rd

February 23, 2023
Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Mr. Ryan Griffin: English Teacher/Journalism/Yearbook
Readings: Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25 (220)
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow
me” (Luke 9:23). 
“Take up his cross daily” often becomes interpreted in our minds as the daily grind, but does the
idea of a daily grind really help us to pick up and carry our cross well? This daily grind often
means that we persevere through the struggle with just enough effort, dragging our cross and
ourselves across the finish line while the boredom and apathy in our souls never disappear – our
joy is dulled. How often do we ask ourselves, how many more days until summer vacation? How
many more days until spring break? Oh, I am so tired! How many more minutes till lunch? When
does this class end? 
Preserving through any struggle is commendable. Yet is it possible to not only persevere but also
to thrive in the midst of struggle? Rather than say to ourselves, “It wasn’t our best work, but oh
well, at least we finished and turned it in” continue to grow in gratitude after our work by saying,
“Thank you Lord for guiding the work of our hands today. We learned so much through your
wisdom.” 
Today’s first reading and the Gospel encourage the faithful to strive for an antifragile faith. I
borrowed the term “antifragile” from Fr. Mike Schmitz who borrowed it from Nassim Taleb.
Taleb understood the idea that fragility means something that becomes easily broken by an
obstacle. In contrast to this fragility, the daily grind philosophy prevents one from breaking
down, but it stops there – one is still the same after the struggle as before the struggle. Yet, Christ
calls us to a higher calling. Taleb believed that obstacles can benefit us. They perfect our
humanity. Even the book of James states, “Consider it a joy, my brothers, when you encounter
various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
Why are obstacles good for us? Why is the cross a blessing? They both strengthen us! The
crucible of the cross helps root out our desires for any disordered attachments. An antifragile
faith, as argued by Fr. Schmitz, is practiced by souls who trust that the Lord God will not only
help us cross the finish line, but will help us to come out of the struggle stronger and more full of
life than where we began. This is the good news of today’s Gospel! May we allow the power of
Christ’s cross to strengthen our souls, much like how athletes use weights to strengthen the
body.  
As we reflect on today’s Gospel, also reflect on the words of wisdom from Thomas a Kempis’s
work The Imitation of Christ during this season of Lent:
"Why then are you afraid to take up the cross, the way that leads to the kingdom of God? In the
cross is salvation; in the cross is life; in the cross is protection; in the cross is heavenly
sweetness; in the cross is the strength of mind; in the cross is spiritual joy; in the cross is
supreme virtue; in the cross is perfect holiness. There is no salvation for the soul nor hope for

eternal life, except on the cross. So take up your cross and follow Jesus, and you will go on to
eternal life. He went before you carrying his cross, and on the cross, he died for you, that you too
may carry your cross, and that you too may die on the cross. If you die with him, you will live
with him. If you join him in suffering, you will join him in glory."