Homily – 10-20-2008 – St. Paul of the Cross

St. Paul of the Cross is the founder of the Passionist Congregation of priests who meditate on the Passion of Christ and help the poor and the sick. Paul was born near Genoa, Italy in 1694. As he went about founding homes, exercising apostolic zeal and afflicting himself with harsh penances, he died at Rome on October 18, 1775.

Paul, in a letter, wrote: "it is very good and holy to consider the passion of our Lord and to meditate on it, for by this sacred path we reach union with God. In this most holy school we learn true wisdom." Paul, rightly, however, did not encourage seeking suffering for sufferings' sake: but rather, "suffering as the will of God." Seeking the perfection of doing the will of God was more important than simply deciding to suffer or to not suffer!

And when the suffering is God's will – then it must be undertaken with the love with which it was given in the first place. And it ought to be done silently and patiently. "When you become true lovers of the Crucified, you will always celebrate the feast of the cross in the inner temple of the soul, bearing all in silence and not relying on any creature." And the feasting will always be "a solemn banquet and the food presented: the will of God, will be exemplified by the love of our crucified Christ."

The readings today speak of the contradiction of the cross and the necessity of embracing it in our lives as Christians. For those of worldly mind the cross of Christ appears to be nothing but foolishness and pointlessness; but for the Christian it is everything! The depth of the meaning of the cross is immeasurable: let it suffice to say that it is not only a sign of love, a sign of caring, a sign of sacrifice – it is also a sign of salvation. From it comes forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. What could be more amazing and powerful than that! To reject the cross, therefore, would be to reject the key that unlocks the door of heaven for us. As Jesus, embracing our humanity grasped and accepted his cross; so we - to embrace his divinity - must reach out and grasp the same cross (especially as it is refashioned and custom made for us into a smaller version that we can handle).

As St, Paul of the Cross and the Passionists reflect continually on the wonder and glory of the Cross of Christ Crucified; so too, if we do the same, will celebrate continually a feast of strength and consolation and joy – that can come only from embracing the will of God – suffering – and the cross of Christ!