The Wisdom of the Cross Lenten Mission: Day 2: The Cross Is Key to Knowing Jesus

The Wisdom of the Cross Lenten Mission: Day 2: The Cross Is Key to Knowing Jesus The first night of this Mission began with a reflection on the sign one makes at the beginning of the proclamation of the Gospel. On the second night of the Mission, the reflection begins at the end of the proclamation of the Gospel. Hear more within the reflection. The Gospel we hear tonight is The Passion of Christ, according to St. Luke. Sometimes Christians and non-Christians ask a simple question. Why did Jesus die? Some answer it was because of the hatred against Him. Others say it was the political environment of the Romans. But the simple fact is these are not the reasons. Jesus came into the world to suffer, sacrifice and die for our sins. He chose The Cross, even before His birth. Therefore, there is no engaging Jesus without also engaging The Cross. The Cross is The Key This is why it is so important, especially during the Lenten Season, to engage this great mystery . . . The Cross which is the key that unlocks the fullness and truth of Jesus Christ. The Passion begins on Holy Thursday night, while He is in the Garden. The soldiers come at night, and He is ready . . . and He sees them coming. While He is ready, His close disciples crumble and abandon Him . . . and flee. Jesus is alone and He is taken. He is willing to stand before the unjust ruling of the world. The world, through Pilate, initially finds no guilt. Pilate states He committed no wrong. But ultimately, Jesus is found guilty . . . He is guilty of not being worth saving. Hear more of the opening of the Passion within this reflection. After Pilate sentences Jesus to death, they bring out The Cross to Him. A large and heavy piece of wood is brought to the carpenter. The Cross is large, so much so that it takes multiple men to bring it to Jesus. Brought to Jesus to carry it . . . by Himself. He carries not only The Cross . . . but the guilt of every person whoever lived (past, present and future). The latter is much heavier. That’s The Cross. That’s the burden He bears. Jesus Takes The Cross and Looks Toward Heaven The reflection briefly talks about artwork for The Cross. Good artwork shows Jesus taking The Cross . . . Lifting up The Cross, with His eyes toward Heaven. Visualize Jesus Carrying The Cross. Listen to the sound of hammer and nail / spike as Jesus is crucified. Hear more within this reflection. The Most Remarkable Statement Ever Uttered in the History of the Universe After being sentenced, carrying The Cross, and after being nailed to The Cross, Jesus remarkably says nothing. After He is on The Cross, Jesus says What Jesus utters is remarkable. It may be the most remarkable statement ever uttered in the history of the universe. Nothing before this moment can compare. The Lord speaks after all the events and all the blows. He asks for a blessing for the guy who is swinging the hammer. Father, forgive them. Forgive him, because he does not know what he is doing. Listen to this greatest of all statements. This statement shows Who Jesus is . . . it is why The Cross is key to understanding and knowing Jesus. The Two Thieves Have a Lesson For Our Own Spiritual Journey Even the guys (the thieves) who died with Jesus. Two other guys lifted up their cross, and they follow Jesus. But lifting up your cross is not enough. Two men, but only one gets it right. It is not enough to just lift your cross. One must deny himself first, then carry your cross to follow Jesus. Two men, but only one gets it right. These two men are important. In the entire history of the world, only these two men received this grace. Dying the same way, at the same time as Jesus. Only these two men received this grace. Going through it, they see the misery of their condemnation. Yet, Jesus is also condemned with them. Hear the lessons of the two thieves and its impact on our Spiritual Journey.