FRIENDS OF THE CROSS

Reflection for Friday of the 31^st Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

(Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 16:1-8)

Often times, people take for granted things they did not work for or suffer for. The value we attach to things seems to be proportional to the commitment or the suffering it costs us. That is why the Cross of Christ is our ultimate source of value since ‘we are crucified with Christ’ and every favour comes to us as the fruit of the Cross! In today’s reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are warned against THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST. Yes, St Paul raised alarm about certain believers who oppose the Cross. This is how he described them: “Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

“The road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it” (Mt 7:13). The spirituality of the Cross fills us with patience, such that, while we await the glorious revelations of Jesus, we equally learn endurance over the works of our hands. Secondly, it fills us with hope since we have received an assurance ‘that He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will raise up our mortal bodies.’ So our patience and endurance in all things is alive with hope! This cannot be without the Cross of Christ. Thus as lovers of the Cross of Christ, we dedicate and subject everything to Jesus Christ, who in turn has subjected all things to Himself through His Cross and Resurrection. “When I am lifted up, I shall draw all men to myself” (Jn 12:32).

The enemies of the Cross; those who run away from every difficulty, will end up as losers like the dishonest servant in the parable of today. He discovered through his shame that hard work is the key to success! This servant tried to apply wisdom in a dishonest way to win favour for himself. The Cross of Christ is the wisdom with which the Children of God unlock favours and earn eternal life at the end. Think about the difficulties you meet each day, and view them through the Cross of Christ, and begin to accept them as your own participation in the offering of Jesus. Then, your joy and crown will shine out and endure, Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Friday November 6^th, 2020.
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