Fr. Joel's Reflection

The great saint, Thomas Aquinas, said that the Cross was a school of all virtues and the catechism in miniature.

          Who is that on the Cross? 

          Why is He on that Cross? 

And the most important question: 

          What will be our response to the Cross? 

For many people their response is indifference. They live as if it never happened.

Look to the Cross if you wish to know the value of each and every soul,

            Made in the image and likeness of God,

             Made immortal: each soul will dwell for all eternity either with God or separated from God depending on the choices we make.

Look to the Cross, if you wish to know the horror of sin, our rebellion against our Creator and our highest good.

          Sin lit the fires of hell.

          Sin marred the beauty of God’s creation.

          Sin caused men to be subject to death.

          Sin traps men and women in misery.

          Sin causes the innocent to suffer.

          Sin closed the gates of heaven.

Look to the Cross, if you wish to know the depth of God’s love, for greater love has no one than to lay down their life for a friend.

          While we were still enemies with God, God gave His Son so that we might have eternal life.

          The “Yes” of Jesus undid the “No” of Adam, and all the “No’s” of the countless sons and daughters of Adam.

Look to the Cross, 

         If you wish to see the greatest example of humility,

         If you wish to see the greatest example of charity,

         If you wish to see the greatest example of obedience to God.

So Christian, look to the Cross, then pick up your cross, each day, and follow your Savior on the way that leads to eternal life.

Amen.