Follow the Cross

When you're in the procession, with the priest and ministers, it's best to just "follow the cross."  First of all, it's raised high, so you can see it to follow.  Also, the people in the congregation seem to open up a way for it, so if you're behind the cross, you get to move along, too.  I've also thought that maybe the altar server could lower it like a lance and charge, but of course that's not done.

But the cross being the cross, you know that you'll get behind and lost in the crowd.  You might get jostled.  However, if you keep your eyes focused on that cross, you'll find your way back.
 Take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

No Pain, No Gain

Today is the Triumph of the Cross.  Catholics exalt Christ's dying on the cross.  Meditating on this day, made me think of the times I was in pain (physically, mentally, emotionally).  In fact, I probably even prayed to be relieved of that pain, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; yet not as I will, but as thou willest."

In retrospect, the suffering molded me into being who I am.  I should know by now, to just trust God.  If He brought me to it, He'll bring me through it.

It also struck me how an object of shame, the cross, has become a symbol of triumph.  Just imagine, something that was designed to humiliate, torture, kill, shame, managed to bring about our redemption.  An example of God turning bad into good.

If it weren't for the passion and crucifixion, we wouldn't have had the Resurrection.