A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 2:1-5
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
REFLECTION: For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
The crozier of the Pope is an image of the Crucified Jesus. The very originality of the depiction away from the common crucifix reminds us that what Jesus did for us is still a Mystery. We see it differently as we get closer to Him. Many of the saints concentrated on the Passion of Christ all their lives. They kept the image of Christ crucified everywhere they went--in their hearts, their minds and their lips. They always had the crucifix on the walls.
The world keeps reminding us of the most beautiful, best dressed, most charismatic and we tend to think that is what life is about. To get closer to Jesus, we need to concentrate on Him--look upon Christ, gaze on His mercies, and try to understand our salvation.
Jesus had to actually suffer, experience physical pain and undergo emotional abandonment through His obedience. In keeping the Crucified Jesus always in front of us, we take up our cross and participate with Jesus in our salvation. We are called to imitate Him out of love for Him.
" I want to become a saint: It will not be easy at all. I have a lot of wood to chop, and it is as hard as stone. I should have started sooner, while it was not so difficult; but, in any case; "Better late than never." (St Zelie Martin--mother of St Therese).
God Bless You
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