9781644135945

The Light of the World
all opposition and will draw the spirits and hearts of all peoples to Himself. Generation after
generation of the pagans will come to the crucified Christ, “unto the Jews indeed a stumbling
block, and unto the Gentiles foolishness; but unto them that are called, . . . the power of God
and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:23 f.). All hasten to Him who was crucified, and confess,
“Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God in Thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue and
people and nation” (Apoc 5:9).
“It is truly meet and just . . . that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to
Thee, O holy Lord, Father Almighty, eternal God; who didst set the salvation of mankind
on the tree of the cross, so that whence came death [into the world], thence also life
might rise again, and that He who overcame by the tree, might also be overcome on the
tree, through Christ our Lord” (Preface of the Mass). At the foot of the cross spring up
unceasing fountains of grace, the sacraments. From the cross we obtain enlightenment
and inspiration. From the cross we obtain the grace for victory over evil, the power to
perform good, hope for the pardon of our sins, and the assurance of grace in the future.
In the cross we find consolation in trouble and suffering. The cross is the key to the
kingdom of heaven.
O cross, our only hope, all hail!
This Passiontide thy balm exhale;
In loving hearts augment thy grace,
The sinner’s stains entire efface.
Christ the Savior gave a new meaning to suffering and sorrow. For Christ the passion is “the price
of redemption.” “The Son of Man [came] to give His life a redemption for many” (Mk 10:45).
Through baptism we “are baptized in His death” (Rom 6:3). Our sufferings, then, are joined to
His and have the same meaning His had. They are made to serve the work of redemption. It is
true that Christ’s work of redemption was completed with the sacrifice of Calvary; but it must
be continued by us in the unbloody Sacrifice of the Mass, and in the suffering undertaken by
each man. By our sufferings we “fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, . . .
for His body, which is the Church” (Col 1:24). Our suffering has its purpose in the redemption
of the world. Because we love men and the souls of men, we love the sufferings of Christ, which
wrought their redemption.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to Myself.” Many of the baptized
become sick of soul, broken in spirit, and weak in faith when they are confronted with a cross.
These are the weak Christians who refuse to allow themselves to be lifted up on the cross; they
have failed to understand what it means to be allowed to “partake of the sufferings of Christ” (1
Pt 4:13). Neither do they understand Paul when he is filled with joy over his tribulations (2 Cor
7:4). For the good Christian, suffering on the cross means that he becomes fruitful, truly great
in the eyes of God. “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all things to Myself,” is true of us
too. Even if life offers us nothing but toil and worry, let us be content. Even if we have showered
love and care on others and receive nothing but ingratitude, let us not be overcome; we must
lift ourselves above all these disappointments and above the fickleness and faithlessness of men.
By accepting our daily crosses we draw down upon ourselves the grace and blessing of God.
We must therefore embrace the cross that we may be drawn to Christ, and may in turn draw all
things to ourselves. The cross is our salvation.
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