“The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it…like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father’s house.”

               ~Catechism of the Catholic Church #1523

For Reflection:

How is our entire life as a Christian, and all of the sacraments of the Church, a preparation for our ultimate union with Christ?

In Conversation With God Vol 2
Daily Meditations Lent and Easter 
Francis Fernandez-Carvajal
Pb 609 pgs
Click Here For More Information.
THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
19. THE MEANING OF MORTIFICATION
19. 1 Truly following Christ implies practising a life of mortification and being close to the Cross.
It is not possible to follow Our Lord without the Cross.  Jesus’ words are relevant in all ages, since they are directed to each and every man, for he who does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot by my disciple.  To take up the cross-the acceptance of sorrow and of the contradictions God permits for our purification, the costly fulfilment of our duties, Christian mortification voluntarily accepted – is the indispensable condition for following the Master.