From the Deacon's Desk

by Deacon Rick Wagner

Deacon Rick Wagner was ordained on June 23, 2012 and currently serves his home parish of St. Pius X in Indianapolis, IN. He has been married to his wife, Carol, for 43 years and they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren.

Deacon Rick has been involved in Catholic education for 40+ years and currently serves as President of St. Theodore Guerin High School, a workshop instructor for Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, and a retreat leader.

He has also authored three books: Remember What’s Important (2011), Fifty Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2016), and Fifty MORE Homilies from the Deacon’s Desk (2024).

Have a question or comment for Deacon Rick? Feel free to contact him at rwagner@spxparish.org

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Take Up Our Cross

Each day, I reflect upon a word or a phrase inspired by the readings of the day. I encourage you to do the same and perhaps incorporate that word or phrase into your daily prayer.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”  (Matthew 16:24-28)

TAKE UP OUR CROSS: When Jesus was performing miracles and feeding large crowds, followers flocked to Him. However, when He spoke as He did in today’s gospel, many turned away.

Jesus never spoke of immediate gratification or short term fixes. He wasn’t promoting what followers needed to do to get by that day. He was offering eternal life. He was calling them to short-term sacrifice and hardship in exchange for a place with Him in Paradise.

It wasn’t for everyone. Some who heard about Jesus came to listen to His message. The self-denial and cross-carrying argument simply did not appeal to them.

Jesus knew then and knows now that not everyone will buy what He is selling, but He will keep trying. He will never give up on us.

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