This cross sits over the fireplace in our home. A gift brought from Spain by a friend of my husbands. It is here I glance to in the daily ins and outs of life- a constant reminder to me of what this life really is all about-The Cross.
As
I meditate on The Cross, I see love and sacrifice mingled together, flowing down
onto me, onto all of humanity. The greatest act of love-the greatest act of
sacrifice and the mysterious interconnectedness of both. The cross is
anything but a comfortable image. It is gruesome, it is unsettling. In a
life where we like our comforts we cannot view the cross without our
souls being ruffled. This act of death brought us eternal life. Jesus
conquered death by dying-A mystifying paradox which defies all worldly
logic.
How
can this powerful and beautiful cross allow me to taste the eternal
life that Jesus has given to us through his death and resurrection? How can I truly make Jesus's sacrifice on the cross for us a very real part of me? There
are so many "little deaths" in my life which prevent me from
experiencing the eternal life God so willingly wants to give me. These
come in so many shapes and forms-Sometimes its a bad attitude to
others, judgements or an unwillingness to forgive. Sometimes its failing to
serve a friend or family member with a need because I think I have too many
problems of my own. Sometimes its watching too much TV or spending more
time on facebook when I'm neglecting my prayer life or not listening
attentively to my husband when he needs my attention. The list goes on
and on. Sometimes its failing to accept Gods plan for me or just
refusing to be inconvenienced. All of these "little deaths' place a
barrier between me and God-When my focus is on myself and my persuit of
my happiness I will be miserable and tied in the chains of these "little
deaths" I describe.
Just as Jesus conquered death by giving up his life and dying for us, I too can overcome alot of these "little deaths" by dying to this often very insistent ME. By dying to my will, and the numerous parts of me that I am stubborn to part with, God can free me from the chains of death and in doing so can draw my heart to new place of life. By "loosing my life for the sake of Christ"- a concept we hear so frequently in the gospels I can be filled with a steadfast joy-A Christ filled joy which brings a liberating peace that transcends any of that which the world can offer us.
The next few days bring us right through Eastertide. As I focus on The Cross, I will reflect on Our Lords sacrifice to His holy church. May the death and resurrection of Christ stir a growth of new life in me-and in you! Happy Easter Friends!
This blog post is part of a link up with Blessed Is She weekly link up. If you are looking for a great community of Catholic women, daily devotions and useful resources for growing in faith check out www.blessedisshe.net.
