cross-word
“For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe.” —1 Corinthians 1:21, Douay-Rheims
Jesus has saved us through the foolishness of the message of the cross. This salvation applies to every aspect of our lives. Through the supposed foolishness of the cross, we can be saved from marital breakdown, financial insecurity, manipulation by fears, loss of purpose in life, anxieties, despair, self-hatred, enslaving addictions, bitterness, unforgiveness, and all other evils. We are saved always by the “foolishness” of the cross.
Thus, we can pray with St. Francis of Assisi: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.” When we are redeemed from addictions, it is by the cross. When a marriage is a glorious sign of Christ’s love for the Church (see Eph 5:32), we should boast of nothing but the cross (Gal 6:14). When we forgive and love our enemies and ourselves, we should “speak of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor 2:2).
The cross is the only tree of life. It is a scandal to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, but to those called by God, the cross is “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24). Take up the cross daily (Lk 9:23).
Prayer: Father, when I make the Sign of the Cross, may it express the meaning of my life.
Promise: “The ones who were ready went in to the wedding with him.” —Mt 25:10
Praise: Not having received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for twenty years, Jose made a decision to do so monthly.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Redemptive Suffering, listen to, download or order our CD 75-1 or DVD 75 on our website.)
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