"Quite
 honestly, this generation needs to re-learn what it means to take up their
 cross and follow Christ. We moderns comprehend the loving Father we know
 God to be, but we ever seem to forget that love requires sacrifice, that
 love without sacrifice is nothing, that in proving our love we too will
 discover a cross, a cross we too must embrace for love of God and our
 fellow man. Quite frankly, there is no love without the cross; not without
 our Lord's cross, not without ours.

from The Paladin's Message in a bottle # 5

This is the same image as my "Carrying the Cross" with a different background. I intended to hint at the spiritual aspect of our journey to God, of our carrying our own cross.

The Paladins

The Secret to a Happy Marriage

Last week two women in the office were discussing "how one knows he's the 'right one.'" As I listened, it became painfully clear that they believed in the modern myth that "finding the right one" insures a happy marriage, a "happy ending," and an easy happiness to boot—that nothing else is required.

I was compelled to say something.

"The secret to a happy marriage is not simply finding the 'right person.'  The secret to a happy marriage is laying down your life, even unto death, for the 'right person!'"

The two women looked at me a long moment, as if the ring of truth registered. But then they realized I spoke of sacrifice and trials rather than romance and magic. And just that quickly, they dismissed it. Or at least, this was my impression. It amazes me what people are willing to believe to avoid sacrifice. It amazes me how much heartache they bring on themselves in a vain attempt to avoid sacrifice.

As usual, we want the Resurrection without the Passion, even though Christ tells us that we must take up our cross to follow Him. Is it any wonder our society is in such a mess? The family, the very bedrock of civilization, is based on a foolish myth rather than the Christian marriage God intended it to be based on.

Another time, while taking a college class, a woman ridiculed the notion that a celibate priest could in any way prepare a couple for marriage. She utterly flabbergasted me though when she went on to suggest that it would be more profitable to have a prostitute prepare them for marriage!

"You may want a *bleep* teaching your children about love, but I sure as *bleep* would rather have a priest teach them about love!"

Yes, not one of my more diplomatic moments. However, to me her comment was outrageous and my response cut to the heart of her error. Marriage is about love, selfless love; it is far, FAR more about sacrificial love than about sex! It is in this light that Christ is the bridegroom who lays down His life for His bride, the Church. It is in this light that a good priest is preeminently qualified to teach about marriage and the true nature of marriage as God intended it, about love and sacrifice for ones beloved!

Scott Hahn in various books and tapes (including the "Our Father's Plan" video series) argues that the first husband's unwillingness to lay down his life for his wife brought about the fall of humanity! He quite convincingly argues that the snake was more accurately a "dragon" and that Adam feared him. While the dragon tempted Eve, Adam stood right there and did nothing. His cue to be a true man, to stand up to the dragon to protect his wife and to address the disrespect shown the Heavenly Father, came and went! He refused to risk his life, to lay down his life, for his wife and Heavenly Father. This was his fall; eating the fruit was almost an anti-sacrament sealing the fact (my interpretation).

Hahn, like the Church fathers, bases such arguments concerning the Old Testament on the revelation found in the New Testament. Adam reveals what went wrong, Jesus reveals what went right. Jesus, the Second Adam, laid down His life for His bride, the Church, and for love of the Heavenly Father. It is quite obvious that Adam and most of the sons of Adam get it wrong because they do not lay down their lives for their wives or their Heavenly Father!

This unwillingness to sacrifice, to love as God loves, is the root of all the problems in our society. The more abundant life of Christ within the Church and society as a whole will be realized only when the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve follow Jesus' example and willingly lay down their lives for their spouses, for their families, and for their God.

-VW Malzahn

paladins.us

The Paladin's Message in a Bottle - Issue # 2

"Love Sacrifices Self, Selfishness Sacrifices Others" by VW Malzahn of paladins.us

This is a poignant expression for the prolife movement; however, the words themselves capture the Christian challenge overall as well.

More Art Here

For the first time ever, two beloved audio records have been combined onto one 2-CD set - Seven Last Words: Lenten Reflections for Today's believers and The Stations of the Cross. The first disc, The Stations of the Cross, provides thought-provoking meditations while leading listeners through each of the fourteen stations. The second disc, Seven Last Words, reflects on themes from Jesus' final sayings from the Cross.
Song List: Disc 1

• The Stations Of The Cross
  

Total Play Time: 25 Minutes

The WYD cross has been carried and prayed with by millions of young people of all the continents of the world since Pope John Paul II entrusted the Cross to the youth of the world in 1984 saying "carry it as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity."

The symbol has been a focal point of World Youth Day events since 1985.

In 2003 the Pope entrusted an Icon of Our Lady to accompany the cross in its journey across the globe to key events and locations.

The Cross and Our Lady Icon carry a message of peace, hope and reconciliation.