Carrying the Cross opens hearts, minds

On a recent morning, after Mass, I changed the sign on the parish lawn. With encouragement from the Bride and the good Pastor’s blessing, I chose a verse from the day’s gospel reading, “For God, all things are possible.”  As I placed the letters I reflected, I sure hope this is true.

It can be hard to trust when faith runs into real life.  This is why it is important for those of us who believe to stay close to God.  We must continue cooperating with God’s saving work even during the difficult times that seem to come around all to regularly.  

We must also remember, while all things are possible, a cure or an answer to our prayers may not be God’s will.  I know this well, as I have called upon God to rescue me from memory loss, rheumatoid and now osteo arthritis, more times than I can imagine.  The latest bit of bad news was being told I have osteo in my left ankle which makes walking painful.  As I limp, I remember the memory doctor saying, you have to keep moving.  Life isn’t fair. 

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Maybe a period of suffering or even death serves a greater purpose that we won’t understand on this side of the grave.  All things are possible may mean that God will let us carry our Cross to open our mind and heart.  Maybe in doing so we help others with whom we interact, even those we don’t know, but who may know of our circumstances.

We need to trust God is at work.  We are called to cooperate and if possible, maintain a spirit of goodwill.  In doing this we remain approachable, which allows others who are also suffering to share a few words, or maybe many, because they know as a fellow sufferer we might understand, and together we might find a glimmer of hope.

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I recall a recent conversation with a much younger man who asked how I was doing.  I gave him a quick  update on my failing memory, and finished with a favorite saying, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.”  He said you are doing well, considering it has been so many years.  I responded, I trust in the Lord and I work at my faith.  I added, I also have a Bride of 42 years who likes to keep me busy.

He told me his sister-in-law is pregnant and at thirty-two weeks they have discovered the unborn baby has a serious heart defect.  As he spoke, I recognized the heart condition was the same as one of my daughters suffered years ago.  He asked if I would pray for his unborn niece and her parents.  I said I would add her and her family to my prayer list, which I admitted is far too long.  I sensed gratitude, maybe more hope, and possible comfort in knowing the old man down the street is a believer.

I thought of him this morning as I placed the letters on the church sign.  We who believe, “for God, all things are possible”, must be willing to let this truth play in our words and in how we live our day to day.  It is too easy to say “God is good” when the sun is shining, but what about when the clouds appear and we can no longer remember yesterday, or when physical pain inhibits even our normal activities. Do we still believe all things are possible for God, when life becomes hard; and if so, how do we both sustain and witness to this faith?  If we continue to live our faith even when life is difficult, it is my experience, God does indeed give us both the grace to sustain us and the opportunities to share the fruit of our lived experience, if we are willing.  

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One morning a young man had a chance to share his burden and worry.  His concern was met with words of belief, which allowed him to ask for prayers and then to go forward a little more hopeful, maybe wondering could it be true: “For God, all things are possible.”

McAvoy is co-author with his wife, Jennifer, of the book Faith, Love and Loss; Sustaining Hope amid Memory Loss and the Storms of Life. 

A version of this article appeared in the September 20, 2026 issue of The Catholic Register with the headline "Carrying the Cross opens hearts, minds"