Parish Letter 24th Week A 2008
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
St Paul, whose year we are celebrating, admits, at the beginning of his letter to the Corinthians, that the content of his gospel message – Christ crucified – did not fit into the either the Jewish or the Greek cultures of his day:
“And so, while Jews demand miracles and the Greeks look for wisdom, here we are preaching a crucified Christ; to the Jews an obstacle that they cannot get over, to the pagans madness, but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power and wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. ” (1Cor 22-25)
According to Paul’s accurate observation of his contemporary culture, a crucified Christ makes no sense in terms of any worldly evaluation. If we observe carefully our own culture today, we will come to the same conclusion. Yet, Paul insists that both Jew and Greek are called to follow the crucified one.
The cross is central to being a Christian. It is a paradoxical sign that communicates victory over loss, weakness transformed into strength, and triumph over tragedy. It is the crucified Christ alone who is true power and wisdom.
The cross puts our human suffering into perspective. The cross transforms meaningless suffering into something full of meaning and value, even beauty. We know that suffering is part of the human condition.
Some suffering is actually caused by the terrible acts of violent individuals bent on reaping destruction in the name of whatever cause. We have seen that recently in the political disturbances in our country.
We see it every night in TV reports, and every morning in newspaper accounts of the world’s numerous troubled spots. Some suffering comes in the form of tremendous natural disasters, such as the devastating hurricanes currently wrecking havoc in the Caribbean and the US. Yet, another form of suffering accompanies the human condition – incurable diseases, such as HIV/Aids and cancer.
Still, the results of accidents, psychological and emotional stress, broken and strained relationships and the pressures of daily life, compounds the human condition. All suffering, no matter what its cause, presents a challenge and causes much distress, anxiety and pain to humanity. What makes it even more difficult is the innocence of those who suffer. What sense can we make of this suffering, how do we react to it?
Paul was no stranger to suffering (read 2Cor 11:23-33). He seems to draw attention to suffering as an integral part of what it means to follow Christ and what it means to be an apostle. Paul is aware that proclaiming the truth can lead to much suffering and rejection. Paul saw a profound paradox at work in his life through his sufferings: “Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” (2Cor 12:10)
This is the Christian paradox that Paul teaches us. What in worldly terms is perceived as weakness is actually strength in terms of God grace and mercy. No symbol so embodies this truth as the cross. Life in Christ means embracing the cross. It requires not that we flee from suffering, but we accept it and learn to live with it constructively.
It is possible to live and love, to be free and to grow, to heal and flourish in the face of of suffering. For Paul, the Christian faith was born in suffering. Jesus willingly took on the humiliating and excruciating torture of death by crucifixion so that he could show others the way of victory through suffering.
Jesus is the model who gives confidence to Paul. On this feast day of the Cross, let us model ourselves on Jesus as St Paul did, and teaches us.
In the Most Holy Redeemer
Fr. William Guri, C.Ss.R.
