The CROSS
In some places there seems to be a war with the Cross of Christ. Often the crucifixes are not allowed to be shown in public places. People are ashamed to make the sign of the cross in public out of fear to be ridiculed by others. It seems some people (some forces) do everything possible to eliminate the Cross of Christ from public life.
However many Catholics have the courage to manifest their faith in public. Paul is deeply concerned about the once who are ashamed of the Cross of Jesus. In the Letter to the Philippians He writes: 'For many walk as the enemies of the Cross of Christ of whom I often told you, and now even weeping I say it…'(Phil 3:18). In the Gospel of John (Jn 14:6)
Jesus said:' I am the way and the truth and the life'. Christ is the One to be followed. In the Letter to the Hebrews it is clearly stated that Christ was not ashamed of the Cross …(He 12:2). Christ as the way, shows every Christian how to follow Him. He speaks very clearly: not to be ashamed of the Cross. Every one of us has to carry his own cross: 'Those who want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me " (Mt 16:24).
And: 'Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me ' (Mt 10:38)
‘Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple’ (Lk 14:27).
The Cross of Christ is a sign of victory. On the Cross Christ has defeated satan (He 2:14). In order to defeat satan - the father of pride, there was only one way: to humble Himself to the point of death, and Christ has done so (Phil 2:8).
Christ showed the way to each one of us; to walk in HUMILITY in order to avoid the grasp of satan. Unfortunately not everyone accepts the teaching of the Cross. In his First Letter to the Corinthians Paul points it out very clearly: 'For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God' (1Cor 1:18).
Let all those who call themselves ‘Bible Christians’ take to their hearts the words of Saint Paul: 'May I never boast of anything except of the CROSS of our Lord Jesus Christ…'(Ga 16:14).
Some comments: There are some people who gravely offend Catholics by saying: ‘It was you Catholics who killed Jesus on the Cross’ (yupela Katolik yupela kilim Jesus long Diwai Kros). First of all, you shold ask such a person to show a single verse in the Bible which says; Catholics have killed Jesus. Sorry, there is no such a quotation in the entire Scripture. On the other hand, you ask such a person to open First Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians which says: 'the Jews (the Sabbath keepers) have killed Jesus' (1Tes 2:14-15). See also:(Ac 5:27-30).
Saint John says in his First Letter that we are all siners: 'If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us…'(1Jn 1:8-10). The Bible says also: Christ has died for our sins (Rm 4:25 ; Gal 1:4). The conclusion is obvious: sins committed by us have killed Jesus. In another words we are all to be blamed for the death of Jesus. The letter to the Hebrews says:
'For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit and have tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and they have fallen away, since on the own they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt (He 6:4-6).
You may watch a video clip:
The CROSS
