“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9: 22 NABRE)
At the beginning of Lent 2017, we hear Jesus speaking of the absolute necessity, the inevitability of His suffering. Why is the Spirit giving us this Scripture now? Consider these reasons:
#1. Are you fully aware of the power of the cross and the necessity of your own suffering?
#2. No following of Christ without suffering. Rejection of the cross is rejection of Jesus Christ. (Pope Benedict XVI).
#3. The Son of Man must suffer before His glorification. (Luke 24: 26). What is a divine necessity for Jesus is true for us.
There are 35 Doctors of the Church, great men and women who clarified our doctrine of faith and showed us by example how to live the Christian life. They all suffered physical, emotional and spiritual pains. But each one of them accomplished their destiny in spite of their terrible sufferings.
Our suffering is blessing in disguise. No cross, no crown.
So at the beginning of Lent 2017, the mystery and contradiction of the cross is set before us to grapple with.
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