September 2015 E-pistle

Thoughts
Yesterday (9/14) was the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The cross is the supreme contradiction. The cross was to be shunned and avoided, yet Jesus embraced it and admonishes us to do likewise. It was symbol of cursedness and infamy and Jesus transformed it into symbol of love and salvation. The cross which was an implement of death has now conquered death and is the way to everlasting life.
Challenge
First, take time to reflect on Jesus’ Cross. God became man to suffer and die for us so that we might one day suffer no more and live forever with God. Imagine God’s love that he would empty himself of glory and suffer the most brutal death for us. Accept God’s love and salvation which he offers personally to you, his precious and beloved child.
Second, take up your cross and follow him. (1) Embrace “little crosses” each day – be pleasant to someone who is mean, forgive a transgression, don’t defend yourself when wrongfully accused, do the extra task without complaint, smile when you don’t feel like smiling, stay up a little later to pray even though you are tired. (2) Work toward embracing the big crosses – seek to accept, without complaint or resentment, suffering when it comes and unite your suffering to the suffering of Jesus on the Cross (yes, this is hard).
Go Deeper
+ Consider hanging a crucifix on the wall in various rooms in your house
+ The Catechism’s discussion of the cross – CCC 525-693.
+ Summary of the Church’s Jesus’ Passion and Death on the Cross
+ Videos by Bishop elect Robert Barron: Why was the Cross necessary? + on the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus
+ The Veneration of the Cross
+ Article on Redemptive Suffering: A Pope’s Answer to the Problem of Pain
+ Great CDs from Lighthouse Catholic Media: Glimpses Along The Way of the Cross + Three Days That Changed the World