The Cross

Yesterday evening I went to Adoration, Confession and Benediction. What a beautiful trio.

And while I was with Our Lord, I prayed the rosary. I've been using this little booklet pictured, which was published by the National Catholic Register. I like having a pictorial representation of the mystery and I enjoy reading the scripture representing each mystery, as well. After each scripture reading are listed points for meditation. As I was reading through the points for the fifth Sorrowful Mystery, I realized that I should read them every day. They are especially poignant to contemplate before and after Confession.


A few of them:

✠ It took a great effort for Christ to speak from the cross; he had to raise himself up on his wounded hands. Yet he did -- to forgive.

✠ Christ died for the very people who were mocking him, blaspheming him -- and killing him.

✠ "Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven." (CCC, 618)

✠ "Since our sins made the Lord Christ suffer the torment of the cross, those who plunge themselves into disorders and crimes crucify the Son of God anew." (CCC, 598)

✠ The crucifix teaches us about God's mercy -- but also about his anger at sin. We must remember both.

✠ To crucify my pride is necessary for me, because I am, by nature, egotistical and prone to hurt others selfishly.

✠ To imitate Christ's forgiveness is necessary for me, because those I know are, by nature, egotistical and prone to hurt me selfishly.

✠ The Church, following the apostles, teaches that Christ died for all men without exception. Do I offer them His love, so that His death won't be in vain?

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