Title: In the Footsteps of St. Paul Session 3: Embracing the Cross of Christ
1In the Footsteps of St. PaulSession
3Embracing the Cross of Christ
2Opening Prayer
We adore you, O Christ And we praise
you, Because by your holy Cross You have redeemed
the world.
3Meaning of the Cross
- Primary Christian Symbol from earliest times
- Paschal Mystery two beams represent the mystery
of how Resurrection came out of death
4Saint 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
5Centrality 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
6Cross 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
7Saint 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
8Reflection and Discussion
- What would you name as sufferings in your life?
- (Chosen and Un-chosen)
9Sufferings
10Pauls 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
11How 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
12The Other Side of Crucifixion Resurrection
13Models 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
14What 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
15Gazing at our Crucified Lord
- To those who are called
- CHRIST
- the power of God
- and
- the wisdom of God
16Closing 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
17Closing 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.
18Next Week