Joy of the Cross "Christianity proclaims joy to us, indeed; this joy, however, only develops on the path of love, and this path of love has to do with the Cross, with communion with the Crucified Christ" -Benedict XVI >>> True Joy and the Cross "According to Paul, Christians reproduce in themselves the paschal mystery of Christ, whose foundation is the cross. But its crowning glory is 'joy in the Holy Spirit' for those who persevere in the time of trial. It is the joy of the beatitudes, particularly the beatitude of the mourning and the persecuted (cf. Mt 5:4, 10-12). Did not Paul the Apostle say: 'I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake...' (Col 1:24)? And Peter, in his turn, urged: 'But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly' (1 Pet 4:13). Joining God in Penance and suffering -St Benedicta of the Cross. |