In the end of the reading from the Gospel of St. John, for the Third Sunday of Lent (Cycle B), we hear that Jesus did “not need anyone to testify to human nature. He himself understood it well.” Jesus understood it well because He is God, He took flesh and became human, He lived among us and then suffered and sacrificed himself for us (in spite of our human foibles and frailties! He understood us very well, I would imagine, walking among us and witnessing our every day choices and priorities.
Today St. Paul tells us that we should proclaim Christ crucified⎯that our faith is a gift from God. It cannot be forced on anyone; it cannot be understood by intellectual reason and logical proof. This is a “stumbling block to Jews (who want signs of power) and foolishness to Gentiles” (who want proof).
The cross of Christ reveals the central truth of our faith. As believers we must see beyond the reasonable and logical: we see the scandal, weakness and sacrifice of the cross as God’s ultimate example of love. He identified with our sin and suffering and so We Lift High the Cross, knowing that we, too, will rise victorious.
In the First Reading from the Book of Exodus we hear God deliver the Ten Commandments to us. From the Cross, Jesus takes upon Himself all of our failures in following His Word. He understood our nature and still He died for us and for our sins. This is why we gather in gratitude for praise and worship. We remember how He loved us to his death. This is the reason we proclaim Christ crucified. “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” Our sign and proof is the cross.
Lift it high, and keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Today St. Paul tells us that we should proclaim Christ crucified⎯that our faith is a gift from God. It cannot be forced on anyone; it cannot be understood by intellectual reason and logical proof. This is a “stumbling block to Jews (who want signs of power) and foolishness to Gentiles” (who want proof).
The cross of Christ reveals the central truth of our faith. As believers we must see beyond the reasonable and logical: we see the scandal, weakness and sacrifice of the cross as God’s ultimate example of love. He identified with our sin and suffering and so We Lift High the Cross, knowing that we, too, will rise victorious.
In the First Reading from the Book of Exodus we hear God deliver the Ten Commandments to us. From the Cross, Jesus takes upon Himself all of our failures in following His Word. He understood our nature and still He died for us and for our sins. This is why we gather in gratitude for praise and worship. We remember how He loved us to his death. This is the reason we proclaim Christ crucified. “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” Our sign and proof is the cross.
Lift it high, and keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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