The Mystery of the Cross

Catholicism emphasizes the suffering of Jesus Christ on the Cross. People often ask me why. Well, I am new to the Catholic faith, but I believe it is just a matter of personal preference. While Protestants emphasize the resurrection, we emphasize that Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. The “wages of sin are death,” according to the Bible, so Christ died on our behalf to balance the scales. This is so meaningful to me that it brings me to tears. It is one of the reasons I am a Catholic.

When we surrender, we are given the opportunity to die on the cross. This means that we accept legitimate suffering (what cannot be changed), so that we understand more fully the sacrifice of Christ. Our pain makes us kindred spiritus with Jesus who suffered. This, in turn, builds intimacy between us and gives us all the benefits of a life of grace.

Beside bringing us closer to God, the mystery of the cross also gives us the strength to endure hardships in this world because we intuitively know that if Christ could suffer, so can we. So, no matter how many bad things happen to us there is a benefit to us that others who live care-free lives will never know.

If we carry on despite the travails of life, and do good works, and live in a state of grace, and take the sacriments, we are also in a position to be in Heaven with God (the father), Jesus (the son), and the Holy Spirit (messenger/comforter). However, there is no guarantee. God chooses his companions in Heaven.

Many people only love God when good things are happening, but this is not fair. God gave us free will and we make mistakes that contribute to the state of the world today. There is also Satan, who is influencing people to bring chaos in the world. To be a true spiritual being we must accept, with grace, that “bad things happen to good people. This is the mystery of the cross.