"Jesus turned around and said to Peter, “Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don't come from God, but from human nature.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:23-24)
Since in antiquity criminals were put to death on the cross, and until today tombs are marked with the cross, the sight or mention of the cross is a thing that always terrifies and discomforts people. The reason is that the cross has, always, been associated with pain and death - and nobody wants to suffer or to die. However, the Crucifixion of Christ, and the events that followed it, completely changed the image and the meaning of the Cross. But the Christian meaning and merits of the cross are yet to be fully understood and appreciated, even, by Christians themselves. Follow me - you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
1. THE CROSS
The cross may stand, but not only, for one of the following:
(1) An upright post with a transverse bar, that was used in antiquity - especially in ancient Rome - to execute criminals.
(2) Spelt with a capital "C", it stands for the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.
(3) A miniature of the Cross, used in the Church as a sacramental, or worn on the neck as a symbol of faith.
(4) A condition or something that is unavoidable, and has to be endured; a predicament that tries one's virtue, steadfastness, or patience. In this sense, the cross is synonymous to a burden, challenge, trouble, worry, trial, tribulation, affliction, hardship, curse, vicissitudes, misfortune, woe, adversity, misery, sorrow, torment, suffering, pain, or torn in the flesh. It is in this meaning of the cross that we are going to focus our reflection.
2. COURAGE
In the face of the cross the natural feeling is fear. Even Jesus submitted to fear in the garden of Gethsemane. But that was only a reflection and manifestation of the human nature which he had assumed, by virtue of his Incarnation, to save humanity. So it is written: "'Father,” he prayed, “my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want.”' (Mark 14:36)
This teaches us to always surrender and pray to God, when we are faced with an embarrassing situation or an avoidable obstacle. We should not panic - but take courage - in times of trials, temptations and tribulations, to seek the face and the will of God. When we do this one of two things may happen : if the cross is not for us - that is, it is not the will of God for us to carry, it will be taken away, to liberate us. On the other hand, if the cross is destined to us, then God will give the grace for us to carry it. And in this case the end will always be victory, fulfilment and celebration.
 |
YOUR CROSS MAY CRUSH YOU IF YOU REFUSE TO CARRY IT |
3. SACRIFICE
Many times we look with contempt on the faithful Christians, patiently suffering under the burden of their crosses, and consider them to be the worst of sinners (Isaiah 53:3-4). But they are well-loved by Christ for accepting to take up their crosses and follow in his passion. Thus, the rewards of his salvation awaits them - both in this life and in the next. We should know that by the virtue of our baptism we share also in the death of Christ (Colossians 2:12). For that reason, if you reject the Word of God by denying your cross you, so, also deny the glory of God. As it is written: "If you are ashamed of me and of my teaching in this godless and wicked day, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
Therefore, it is high time we discard some false Christian assumptions, to become true disciples of Christ, and to gain the eternal reward of his passion and death for us on the Cross. As it is written, "Get behind me Satan, you are an obstacle in my way" (Matthew 16:23) - so whoever teaches you and makes you to believe that since you are a Christian, "the cross is not for you", is both a liar and an obstacle in your way to the success of your plans, the fulfillment of your life, and the salvation of your soul.
4. VICTORY
When you deny or reject your cross it becomes a source of trouble for you, but when you accept and take up your cross it becomes the means for your victory, and an instrument for your miraculous breakthrough. This is the mystical meaning of the stick of Moses. For as the scripture says: "So the Lord asked him, “What are you holding?” “A walking stick,” he answered. The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.” When Moses threw it down, it turned into a snake, and he ran away from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach down and pick it up by the tail.” So Moses reached down and caught it, and it became a walking stick again." (Exodus 4:2-4).
If you reflect deeply you will realize that every challenge you have is, at the same time, your support as it is your burden - it is your walking stick. When Moses threw down his stick it turned into a snake - symbolizing evil or trouble. But when he picked it up, it became a stick again - that is, his walking stick or support. And so the LORD said to Moses: "Take this walking stick with you; for with it you will perform miracles.” (Exodus 4:17)
Thus, with courage, faith, prayer and submission to God, we may be able to turn the crosses we face from walking sticks to breaking sticks, from stumbling blocks to building blocks, from barriers to broad doors, and from stumbling stones to the stepping stones - to a better future.
 |
WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND OUR MISSION |
5. FULFILLMENT
Fulfillment is the product of courage and sacrifice on the cross that we face. Hear the testimonies of those who have achieved in life - inventors, statesmen, industrialists, scientists, professionals, artists, and the Saints. You will Know what great challenges and trials they faced and overcame.
Except those who have chosen to reap without sowing, by giving up their lives and souls to the devil, all the champions of life have suffered and died on the cross, in order to rise. They went through tough times, hunger and thirst, humiliations, and torments. They have tried and failed, and fallen and risen many times, to get to where you find them now. They never gave up because of their crosses, instead they resisted and persisted because they knew that their destination was success and fulfillment.
If, even, the unbelievers did this, how much more would believers achieve, through the merits of Christ's death on the cross? How do we explain that unbelievers are practicing the faith which they do not know, meanwhile the believers renounce the faith which they know? Many have rejected the Cross, in the false claim that Christ has already died for them, so the Cross is no longer their portion. But hear what he says, "take up your cross and follow me" - if you say that Christ died for you, then follow what he says - that is faith!
6. CRUCIFIX
For believers, therfore, the Cross is no longer a sign of death and fear but a sign of faith and salvation. The Crucifix is a cross with the figure of Christ on it. The cross, the symbol of the Catholic Church, recalls the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and Death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians. In its ceremonial usage, making a sign of the cross may be, according to the context, an act of profession of faith, a prayer, a dedication, or a benediction.
Through the merits of the Crucifixion Christ transformed the Cross from a symbol of defeat to a symbol of victory, from a symbol of damnation to a symbol of salvation, from a symbol of bondage to a symbol of freedom, from a symbol of limitation to a symbol of breakthrough, from a symbol of weakness to a symbol of power, from a symbol of submission to a symbol of dominion, and from a symbol of execution to death to a symbol of transition to life. And this transition, for believers, is a spiritual transcendence in the nature of God. (Matthew 27:50-53; Colossians 2:12-15, 1 Corinthians 1:23-24)
7. PRAYER
The prayer before a crucifix is a Roman Catholic prayer to Jesus which is said while kneeling before a Crucifix. It is often said by Roman Catholics after Communion or after Mass. The faithful receive a partial indulgence if they recite the prayer after Communion before a crucifix.
The Prayer Before the Crucifix is a veritable weapon against Satan and all his trials. It is a weapon which Satan cannot stand or fake because It is the very means by which God destroyed him. (Colossians 2:15). The concordance of the 5 Wounds of Jesus with the 5 stones of David, (1 Samuel 17:48 - 50), as a deadly weapon against the enemy, is very significant. Satan can fake the Spirit, in the forms of foul and demonic spirits, to fight or deceive people, but he does not stand the presence and power of the Crucifix. This point is also a good mark for us to identify the fake men of God and their followers - they do not only reject the Cross, they also hate it very strongly.
The Crucifix Prayer would profit you for divine mercy, deliverance, sanctification, protection, and favors. In case of necessity you may say this prayer without, necessarily, having a Crucifix in front of you - as follows:
Exercise
(i) Contemplation: Imagine, with your eyes closed, the scene and events of the Crucifixion.
(ii) Concentration: Focus on the image for a while and interiorise.
(iii) Meditation: Think about "Why", "How" and "For what" the Crucifixion happened, and relate to your life.
(iv) Confession: Confess your faith in the Passion and Death of Christ. Then acknowledge your sins and ask for mercy.
(v) The Crucifix Prayer
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel and, with burning soul, pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity; true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment.
While I contemplate, with great love and tender pity, Thy five most precious Wounds, pondering over them within me and calling to mind the words which David, Thy prophet, said of Thee, my Jesus: "They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones." Amen.
After reciting this prayer, observe a short moment of silence - then make your prayer request (s).
Before closing say: 1 Our Father, 5 Hail Marys*, and 1 Glory Be.
* The 5 Hail Marys implore the 5 Wounds of Jesus on the Cross.
May the reading and application of this teaching bring you the eternal rewards of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ on the Cross, Amen !
Author: Aying Godman, is a Catechist, Evangelist & Blogger of the Roman Church; Founder of CATHOLIC FRONT MEDIA Email: frontcatholic@gmail.com
Copyright (c) Aying Godman - Catholic Front Media (2021-2022) All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment