The mystery of the Cross

Suffering and death are, in themselves, evil.

Rejection hurts.

It hurts like hell.

But embracing the Cross — through Him, with Him, in Him, for Him — is the only path to the healing, deliverance, purification, and renovation that I myself desire.

I don't have a choice.

I can either pass through the Cross in this lifetime or in Purgatory.

Not dying to self is not an option.

Death is the doorway to new life.

Jesus has opened the door, and none may close it against me.

The Way of the Cross, like the Kingdom, is inside me.

My cross — my share of Jesus' Cross — is always waiting for me.

It will not go away.

This leads to that.

I am allowed to pray, "Let this cup pass from me."

But I must also say, "Thy will, not mine be done."

The Cross will be waiting for me when I finish my agony in the Garden.

Some part of it is just punishment for my sins.

But this is a punishment that destroys sin and sets me free.

It is a wound that heals what ails me.

I prayed for this on my Long Retreats.

I volunteered to serve.

I said, "I am ready and willing."

I had no idea what the prayer meant.

"You shall drink from the cup of which I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized."