CROSS

September 3, 2023 – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090323.cfm(

An inquisitive boy once asked his mother, “Mom, who is that person, hanged on a tree?” “That’s Jesus Christ, the Savior of All”, answered the mother. Again the boy questions his mom, “But how can he be our savior when he was hanged on a cross?” The mother replied, “Jesus was called Christ because he gave up his life as ransom for our sins and selfishness.” “Ah, I see,” said the boy but he further inquired, “Mom, who is a Christian?” “A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ” mom replied. “Am I a Christian?” he asked. “Yes, you are a Christian by baptism,” said mom. He concludes, “since I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, does it mean that someday like Jesus Christ, I will be hanged on a cross, sacrificing oneself for the benefit of the many?”

We all do have the desire to achieve eternal happiness. We do all want to have a share in God’s eternal life. We all do have the desire to have a share in God’s salvation. However, for Jesus, the way to eternal life, the path to our salvation lies in our acceptance of our own cross. To achieve eternal life, one has to become a disciple of Jesus by following his example of humble submission to the Father’s will and the acceptance of our own crosses. There are no shortcuts and easy way in sharing God’s salvation. For us to share in the resurrection of life with Christ, we must also willingly carry our crosses, as sacrifice for the good of the many. The path to our salvation then, is the way of the cross.

Here in our Gospel today, Jesus challenged his disciples to follow him in his way of the cross. Jesus did not deny that he was the expected Messiah, but he reiterated that he is the Suffering and Rejected Messiah of God. In order for him to reveal and share God’s glory, he has to experience suffering and rejection. In order for him to fulfill his mission in sharing us the Father’s love, glory and salvation, Jesus has to undergo suffering and dying of the cross – giving up his life in sacrifice for our own redemption. Thus for Jesus, “If you wish to be my disciples, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.”

But what is our attitude towards sufferings in life? Perhaps we may consider three types of attitudes towards suffering.

First, people who suffer but they don’t struggle. These are fatalistic people who surrender to suffering for suffering sake – even have no idea why they suffer but consider sufferings as the goal or end itself. In other words, Antus aron masantos – Magdusa ka. A not so healthy type of suffering.

Next, people who struggles because they suffer. These people know that suffering is disgusting that they struggle to avoid, withdraw, or fight suffering. Makibaka upang mawalay sa pagdurusa. Makigbisog aron malingkawas sa pag-antus. This is a reactive struggle and suffering – perhaps better but not lifegiving.

And lastly, people who suffers because they struggle. Makibaka sa kabila ng pagdurusa at krus na bibitbitin at tatahakin. Makigbisog bisan pa sa kalisud ug pag-antus. These people accept suffering as a consequence of their struggle. They know what they want in life, like wanting to follow Christ, and accept that in opting for Christ, they have to go thru and struggle suffering, like Jesus himself. Meaning, we have to view our experience of sufferings in life in relation to our own options, struggles, vocations, and missions in life.

This is the Paradox of Christian life – in order for us to enjoy God’s  kingdom and share eternal life with others, like Jesus, we also have to undergo dying to own selves – our selfishness, sinfulness & greed – calling us to carry our own crosses and extend ourselves for the growth of others. Like Peter & the disciples, we also have to be awakened & deal with the consequences of our faith in Jesus & hard truth of following Him. As disciples of Jesus, we too must bear our sufferings and sacrifices and risk our lives for others.

For instance, for a woman to experience the joy of motherhood and family life, she has to undergo the suffering and pains of childbearing. For our family to enjoy & witness our posterity, bloodlines & generations,  we must suffer to let go & allow our own children to marry & build their family of their own. Simply put, same way as Christians, we are also called to deny or lose ourselves, accept our cross, no matter how heavy and burdensome, in sacrifice for and because of a deeper meaning in one’s life and for us fully enjoy life to its fullness. Salvation only begins when each and every Christian is willing to sacrifice oneself and struggle with love for the sake of others.

Reflect then the sufferings you might have going-through nowadays. Is it for the sake of suffering? Is it to avoid suffering? OR Is it because you struggle for the faith & life you choose?

Let us now continue to follow Jesus by carrying our own cross, and renew our faith, as we say…