When you understand the necessity of the Cross, you too will embrace it.

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14: 27).

Wednesday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time. Jesus proclaims the necessity of the Cross for His followers. Imagine an interview for a job. The potential employer declares upfront that those who would be considered must be prepared to give up the right hand. People would walk away and see the situation as crass insanity.

Jesus came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God, the eternal reign of God among men. This Kingdom is unlike anything that has been seen on earth. Consider some of the characteristics of the Kingdom:

The Kingdom starts like a tiny mustard seed. The appointed king has no house, no money, no car, no servants. The king is powerless to resist arrest. He was tried and sentenced to death by crucifixion.  During the trial of the king, He told the judge: “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here.” (John 18: 36).

Jesus conquered evil on the Cross. Jesus Christ, King of the Jews reigned from the Cross.
"But in the most mysterious way God the Father has revealed his almighty power in the voluntary humiliation and Resurrection of his Son, by which he conquered evil. Christ crucified is thus "the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." It is in Christ's Resurrection and exaltation that the Father has shown forth "the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe". (CCC 272).

The Cross therefore became the cherished emblem of the disciples of Jesus. With this understanding, we can embrace the Cross.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com