"When I behold the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride." This traditional hymn simply says that when we look at the cross, we can change dramatically.
"They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced" (Jn 19:37). "The centurion who stood guard over [Jesus], on seeing the manner of His death, declared, ‘Clearly this Man was the Son of God!' " (Mk 15:39) When we see Jesus lifted up on the cross, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, we are drawn to believe and "have eternal life in Him" (Jn 3:14-15; 12:32). St. Paul transformed the most hardened hearts by speaking "of nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor 2:2). He proclaimed the gospel by displaying before the eyes of all Jesus Christ upon the cross (Gal 3:1).
Would you prayerfully consider looking for ten seconds daily at a representation of Jesus on the cross? This prayer in action will be the occasion for Jesus transforming you into a new person. You will proclaim with St. Paul: "May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it, the world has been crucified to me and I to the world" (Gal 6:14).
| PRAYER: | Jesus, may I always consciously live in the shadow of Your cross. |
| PROMISE: | "It was thus that He humbled Himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross! Because of this, God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name above every other name." –Phil 2:8-9 |
| PRAISE: | The 4,200 white crosses erected in front of a local church, representing the number of babies surgically aborted in one day, have helped people realize the gravity of abortion. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College