Choose Love

Greetings on this the Optional Memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest
Readings: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; Matthew 16:24-27

our passion

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 COR 18:18). [For you] Go out to all the world and tell the Good News (Mk 16:15).

Parable of the Rich Man and The Conditions of Discipleship

(bringing together the Ordinary gospel portion with the Memorial)

But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God.” (Lk 12:20-21). [To those who Love] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct (Mt 16:24-27).

Reflection

I guess we are all able to make choices. One way or the other. Choose love or choose things. We deny ourselves. That is the reality of decision making. Choosing consequences.

• IF we are for things we deny our humanity.
• If we are for Christ we deny our acquisitions.

Learn about Saint Paul of the Cross here: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-paul-of-the-cross/

The Passion of Christ

During my Massachusetts – Vermont section of the Appalachian trail I spent my prayer and contemplation on the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Ordinarily I would use the recommended contemplations (repentance, mortification, moral courage, patience, and final perseverance.). But instead I contemplated the specific divine purpose of each of these sorrowful mysteries which I called the Mysteries of Recovery.

First Mystery – Agony in the Garden (The Choice)

He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground (Lk 22:44).

The Agony in the Garden is a continuation of the Temptation in the Desert.

Filled with the holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry (Lk 4:1-2).

• In the desert, Jesus was burdened with the physical demands of fasting 40 days.
• In the Gethsemane garden, Jesus was burdened by the spiritual demands of salvation.

Both these events, as one divine motion, was the antithetical response to the temptations of the Eden garden. Jesus redeems Adam and Eve humanity of their poor decision.

The temptations of Jesus were a recasting of the temptations of Adam and Eve. This time victorious over evil.

• Stone to bread (provide for yourself).
• False Worship (the Devil to be provider of power to fix all things).
• Testing the Father’s love (or doubting the Father’s love).

The first Sorrowful mystery redeems Adam and Eve and all their descendents. A new, good choice.

Second Mystery – Scourging at the Pillar (the Body)

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified (Mk 15:15).

Jesus redeems our physical person. The pains of life and the pains we inflict upon ourselves and others. Each blow, in effect, removes the blows given to or by a human since the beginning of time.

Third Mystery – Crowning with Thorns (human Dignity)

They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him (Mk 15:17). So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, “Behold, the man!” (Jn 19:5).

Jesus redeems our essence, our souls. The mockery of purple garment and crown of thorns is reversed. Instead (‘The man” aka “Any man”) man is restored to his original dignity. Son of the King. Head of the Household. Master of Self.

Fourth Mystery – Carrying the Cross (our Journey)

As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus (Lk 23:26).

Jesus redeems our journey. This walk of life should be beautiful and relatively painless. Each step with the cross redeems every day of our lives from the insult of evil. Simon is the visual sign of the shared camino, a shared pilgrimage.

A purified walk with the Lord in the Eden garden.

Fifth Mystery – The Crucifixion (Faith in unbelief)

And at three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34).

Jesus redeems our unbelief. He gives voice to the struggle of man, from the first (Adam) and until this day, unbelief, by degree and by season. He allows for the ‘open secret’ that the ways of the Divine Love are not fully accessible to the human person. It is a fact. It is marvelous. It is understandable. He honors our uncertainty. Therefore, he shows the divine patience and our human patience to make manifest the fullness of love.

He forgives our Eden garden moment.

In conclusion

The Sorrowful mysteries are sorrowful to be sure. Yet they are each victories. Body, Soul, Dignity, Journey, and Faith. All restored by the depth of the love – the Passion – of the Christ.

May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!

Sacred Readings full text:

Ordinary: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102025.cfm
Memorial: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/1020-memorial-paul-cross.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry