Conference #2: The Beauty Jesus and Christianity Sees in Suffering When We Embrace the Mystery and Exaltation of the Cross
Father Hugh Gillespie, SMM
Conference #2: The Beauty Jesus and Christianity Sees in Suffering When We Embrace the Mystery and Exaltation of the Cross
After reciting a hymn that is at least 1400 years old about the Cross, the Homily tells us of the fate of The Cross.
The Persians in conquering Rome, also conquered Jerusalem. In doing so, they carried away numerous icons. They also carried away Jesus’ Holy Cross. We also hear of its return to Jerusalem. Listen more within the Homily.
We hear about the requirements The Cross has upon its bearers. The king of Jerusalem tried to carry the Cross and could not until he was properly disposed. Hear more within the Homily and its implications for us!
The Cross is Glorious, Exalted, Luminous and even Radiant. Hidden within these ideas is something very important. Normally, when our bodies weaken with advance age, when illness can dimmish, humans see things differently. We see Poverty, and Victims of violence differently. All of these things break us down. The normal tendency of man is to look away from these things.
Exalting the Cross Says Something Different
Exalting the Cross says something different. It is into these conditions that something glorious happens in the Mystery of the Cross. There is a hidden radiance inside the life that normal humans look away. There is value in the life of those that suffer. Hear more within this Homily.
In this Mystery, one sees beauty in the suffering that comes to all of us. Not because it is suffering. But because Jesus has brought it upon Himself. When we can embrace this Mystery, it changes how we frame everything.
This is important for the history of the world! One of the impacts of the Church’s spirituality of Jesus Christ is this: Prior to Jesus, there is no culture on earth that valued its sick. There is no society that finds dignity in the weak. There is no culture, prior to Christianity, that values suffering.
Note what that means.
Listen to this conference. Listen to:
Conference #2: The Beauty Jesus and Christianity Sees in Suffering When We Embrace the Mystery and Exaltation of the Cross
Pieta and The Cross
A nighttime image of the Pieta, Holy Scripture and The Cross at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island.
Return to Meditation Media
Note:
This is the second conference. This media is listed under the Conference Audio section and Meditation Media section. There are three audio sets. They all may be found under the audio post here.
Conference #2: The Beauty Jesus and Christianity Sees in Suffering When We Embrace the Mystery and Exaltation of the Cross
