my Catholic.com

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for September 14, 2007

NO LOSS AT THIS CROSS

"He humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! Because of this, God highly exalted Him." –Philippians 2:8-9

John's Gospel particularly highlights the exaltation of the cross of Jesus. John proclaims that the cross is:

• the throne from which King Jesus inaugurates His victorious Kingdom. On the cross, Jesus is publicly, officially, and universally proclaimed as King, in no less than three languages (Jn 19:19-22),
• a place of healing (Jn 3:14),
• the catalyst for faith leading to eternal life (Jn 3:15),
• where we finally recognize that Jesus is God (Jn 8:28),
• the place where Jesus draws all to Himself (Jn 12:32),
• where King Jesus commissions Mary as the Queen Mother, who in the Old Testament has royal authority, to disciple and serve as a mother to His subjects (Jn 19:26),
• the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Jn 19:24), and
• the victor's stand from which Jesus speaks of accomplishment, completion, and final triumph (Jn 19:30).

As a subject of King Jesus, you are called to bear a daily cross (Lk 9:23). Do you carry your cross in such a way that it proclaims to everyone that "Jesus Christ is Lord"? (Phil 2:11) You are blessed with the unspeakable privilege of sharing in the victorious cross of King Jesus (Phil 1:29). Therefore, glory in the cross and carry your cross so as to triumph (1 Cor 9:24).

< Prev | Next >

Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College