Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
John 3:13-17
24rd SUNDAY Ordinary Time Cycle C
We find the cross everywhere – not only in churches but in every home, car that belongs to a Christian. Some even put them on necklaces and earrings. To an extent sadly it has become a fad.
But before its present popularity the cross was something shameful. Crucifixion in the old Roman empire was punishment for heinous crimes.
Remember that Jesus was crucified on the cross between two thieves. Yet since that day the cross has slowly been revered as the means of salvation.
Christians started to sing “In the cross is salvation, in the cross is strength, in the cross is victory.”
Yet as mentioned it is unfortunate that those who follow Christ at present have wandered off away from the path of suffering. They forgot what coaches had always told every athlete “no pain, no gain” and “no guts, no glory”. There is no other way to glorious resurrection except through painful passion.
Those in the helping profession say “it is okay not to be okay” because suffering will always be a part of living.
St. Paul said it clearly “Christ learned obedience through what He suffered”. Phil 2:6-11. Jesus assured us through Nicodemus that “just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up (on the cross), so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:13-17.
May we embrace suffering as Jesus did – but not for suffering itself for what comes at the end of it which is transformation into the stature of Jesus. However, suffering remains only as a means to being fully alive.
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