The Cross of Christ

“THE CROSS OF CHRIST”  is the “MYSTERY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR MAN”. This is the insight that came to me as I was reflecting on the Lord’s Passion as narrated in the Gospel of Luke 23:1-49. 

In a way, my mind  was  wrestling with a big question: “WHY SHOULD CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE TORTURED, CRUCIFIED AND PUT TO DEATH?”   As God He has all the power to defend himself and even wipe out all those who wanted to harm him.  He, however, simply refrained from using the power of his divinity.  This somehow puzzled me. 

In reading the Gospel of St. John, however, I came across a statement of Christ which reads: “There is no greater love than this, ‘to give one’s life’ for his friends.” (Jn. 15:13)  Somehow these words gave me a clue in trying to understand the significance of the Cross of Christ.  Indeed,  it is a Mystery of God’s Love for man. And in the Gospel of St. John (3:16) we read: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have life everlasting.”

Reflecting on the above mentioned scriptural verses,  I somehow see an essential dimension of love which is called ‘SACRIFICE’.  The act of loving entails an act of sacrifice, and the greatest sacrifice that one can give is ‘laying down one’s life’ for the beloved.  This then must be the reason why Christ willingly allowed Himself to be humiliated, tortured, crucified and put to death and thus, lay down His life, because of His love for men.

Following this example of Christ, many Christians have actually laid down their life for love of Christ and died as martyrs.  Recently, we have our own countryman, Pedro Calungsod, who has been canonized a Saint for giving up his life for the sake of his faith in Christ.   

While there are some who are given the opportunity to make the sacrifice of dying for love of Christ, I believe that all of us Christians are challenged to live our faith for love of Christ. Christ said: “If anyone wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23).

For me to “take up one’s cross daily” is one of the many challenges  in one’s everyday life which call for some kind of sacrifice in one way or another. These to me are what I consider as ‘daily crosses’ which could  gladly be borne  to manifest  love.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 24, 2013