THE CONTINUAL, CONSTANT CROSS

“Continually we carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus.” –2 Corinthians 4:10

Mass Readings: July 25
First: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Resp: Psalm 126:1-6; Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

Listen to the Mass Readings

Although James and John wanted prosperity and success, Jesus wanted them to take up the cross (see Mt 20:22ff). Jesus invites us not only to suffer in the pattern of His death (Phil 3:10) but even to be crucified with Him (see Gal 2:19). Furthermore, He calls us to make the cross not only an occasional moment in our lives but to “continually…carry about in our bodies the dying of Jesus” (2 Cor 4:10), to “constantly” be “delivered to death for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor 4:11). We are tempted to make our crosses as rare as possible. Yet Jesus wants our crosses to be constant.

When we not only take up the daily cross (Lk 9:23) but also continually and constantly live the cross, we paradoxically reveal “in our bodies the life of Jesus” (2 Cor 4:10). As a grain of wheat which falls to the earth and dies, we bear much fruit (Jn 12:24). We also find joy as we share Christ’s sufferings (Col 1:24; 1 Pt 4:13). In joyful fruitfulness, continually and constantly live the cross.

PRAYER: “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world” (St. Francis of Assisi).
PROMISE: “Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all.” –Mt 20:26-27
PRAISE: St. James was one of the first Christian martyrs (Acts 12:2). He repented of his lack of faith in Jesus and received that love which casts out all fear (1 Jn 4:18) and conquers death.