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In the Footsteps of St. Paul Session 3: Embracing the Cross of Christ

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Title: In the Footsteps of St. Paul Session 3: Embracing the Cross of Christ


1
In the Footsteps of St. PaulSession
3Embracing the Cross of Christ
2
Opening Prayer
We adore you, O Christ And we praise
you, Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed
the world.
3
Meaning of the Cross
  • Primary Christian Symbol from earliest times
  • Paschal Mystery two beams represent the mystery
    of how Resurrection came out of death

4
Saint Paul Preaches the Cross
  • Two world views at the time of Paul
  • Jews Cross is a stumbling block prefer a sign
    of power
  • Greeks Cross is foolishness prefer
    philosophical presentation to convince them
    intellectually

5
Centrality of the Cross
  • Paul insists that both Jew and Greek are called
    to follow Christ crucified
  • (1 Cor 1 22-24)
  • Paradoxical sign
  • Victory over loss
  • Strength from transformed weakness
  • Triumph over tragedy
  • Christ is the power (Jews) of God and the wisdom
    (Greeks) of God

6
Cross Symbol of Suffering
  • Suffering is a part of every human life
  • Some suffering is CHOSEN we will it
  • Parenting sacrifices for children
  • Working for a cause
  • Some suffering is not chosen happens to us
  • Illness
  • Accidents/Disasters
  • Troubles - e.g. economic crisis, strained
    relationships

7
Saint Pauls Suffering
  • Paul recounts the troubles he has experienced in
    his ministry (2 Cor 1122 33)
  • Toil and labor
  • Floggings, beatings, stoning
  • Imprisonment
  • Shipwrecks
  • Anxiety for the churches e.g. in-fighting, lack
    of funds, heresies

8
Reflection and Discussion
  • What would you name as sufferings in your life?
  • (Chosen and Un-chosen)

9
Sufferings
  • Responses

10
Pauls Understanding of the Cross in our Lives
  • EXPERIENCE
  • When I am weak then I am strong
  • Identification with Jesus
  • Service as suffering for the sake of others
  • RESULTS
  • Leads to glory Resurrection
  • Sign of true discipleship which has a cost

11
How am I to suffer as a Christian?
  • Uniting with the suffering of Jesus
  • Declaring that God is with me in my suffering
  • Being compassionate to others who are suffering
  • Proclaiming my belief in the Resurrection

12
The Other Side of Crucifixion Resurrection
  • Responses
  • Responses

13
Models for Moving from Death to Life
  • Jesus
  • Saint Paul
  • Martyrs
  • Saints
  • Current Heroes Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul
    II, 911 Heroes
  • People we know personally

14
What About Us?
  • Uniting of this suffering with Jesus suffering
  • Its not enough to admire Jesus for his suffering
  • Answering YES to his call Take up your cross
    and follow Me

15
Gazing at our Crucified Lord
  • To those who are called
  • CHRIST
  • the power of God
  • and
  • the wisdom of God

16
Closing Prayer 1/2
  • O loving Savior, when I gaze upon you hanging on
    the cross of our salvation, I am brought low by
    my own weakness to endure even the least bit of
    suffering that comes my way.
  • I look to you for strength, to you who were able
    not only to endure humiliating death, but to
    forgive those who committed this injustice
    against you

17
Closing Prayer 2/2
  • Make me strong, Lord, when I am tempted to flee
    in the face of pain and rejection.
  • Give me patience with those who cause me pain and
    the ability to forgive them.
  • Let me say with your servant Paul, I have been
    crucified with Christ, so that I might indeed
    share the resurrection. Amen.

18
Next Week
  • Living in the Spirit
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