THE CROSS OF CHRIST ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Thursday, 14^th September 2017.

Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Num 21: 4-9;

Ps 77: 1-2, 34-38;

Phil 2: 6-11;

Jn 3: 13-17

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

The Cross is the sign of the Christian. Every Christian, the little child as well as the great saint, makes the sign of the Cross, bearing witness to its permanent significance. Jesus sacrificed his life on the Cross and thus redeemed the human race. It is therefore no more a symbol of suffering and disgrace, but of salvation. The cross is the way to glory, and therefore a challenge to every Christian. As St Paul says, “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called , both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1: 23-24).

In the history of Christianity the Cross on which Christ the Lord died and through which he came to the Resurrection, became the eminent sign of God’s saving action. The Fathers of the Church compare the Cross of Christ with the tree of life in the earthly paradise, with the Ark of Noah, with the wood that Isaac carried to mount Moriah, with Jacob’s ladder, with the staff of Moses, and with the bronze serpent. All these are intimately linked with the mystery of salvation.

Does the Cross truly make sense to us? From a purely secular point of view, the Cross is an awful thing. But Christians do not see the Cross from a secular point of view. We see it from the divine perspective. We see Jesus lifted up on the Cross for all to see. We see Him using atrocious suffering to eliminate suffering forever. We see Him using death to destroy death itself. Ultimately, we see Jesus become victorious on that Cross and, therefore, forever we see the Cross as an exalted and glorious throne!

In Baptism every Christian is crucified with Christ, dies and rises with Christ. St Leo the Great says, “The Cross of Christ is the source of every blessing, the fountain of all merit: to the faithful it gives strength from His weakness, glory from His shame, and life from His death.”

Reflect, today, upon the Cross of Christ. Spend some time gazing upon the crucifix. See in that crucifix the answer to your own daily struggles. Jesus is close to those who suffer, and His strength is available to all those who believe in Him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to gaze upon the Cross. Help me to experience in Your own sufferings a taste of Your final victory. May I be strengthened and healed as I look upon You. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.