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Manila Bulletin devider Reflections devider Take up his cross

Take up his cross

Published Mar 3, 2022 12:05 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

In predicting his passion, Jesus did not exactly say that he would be killed by crucifixion, but he referred to his would-be follower as carrying a cross. Was this invitation an afterthought on the part of Christians after Jesus had died on the cross? The mention of taking the cross “daily” alludes to the cross as a symbol of suffering taken in solidarity with the suffering Lord.

In a world where the cross was the most degrading form of punishment, the “good news” about a crucified Messiah was nothing but “absurdity.” For the Jews, a crucified Messiah was a contradiction in terms. The Messiah was one who was favored with the divine blessings, whereas, in the light of Deuterenomy 21:23, the divine curse rests on him who is crucified. As St. Paul would say, the message of the cross is a scandal to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Still, in God’s plan the cross became the very instrument of humanity’s salvation. Christ crucified is “the power of God and the wisdom of God,” and “the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Cor 1:24-25).

Pope Francis says, “There is no true love without the cross, that is, without a personal price to pay And when borne with Jesus, the cross is not scary because He is always at our side to support us...”

Gospel • LUKE 9:22-25 

Jesus said to his disciples: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” 

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?”

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

 

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