April 12, 2014 Psalm
31:9-16
Saturday Lamentations
3:55-66
Mark
10:32-34
Martin
Luther (1483-1546)
A
Reflection on the Cross
The
cross teaches us to believe in hope even when there is no hope. The wisdom of
the cross is deeply hidden in a profound mystery. In fact, there is no other
way to heaven than taking up the cross of Christ. On account of this we must
beware that the active life with its good works, and the contemplative life
with its speculations, do not lead us astray. Both are most attractive and
yield peace of mind, but for that very reason they hide real dangers, unless
they are tempered by the cross and disturbed by adversaries. The cross is the
surest path of all. Blessed is the man who understands this truth.
It is
a matter of necessity that we be destroyed and rendered formless, so that
Christ may be formed within us, and Christ alone be in us…Real mortifications
do not happen in lonely places away from the society of other human beings. No!
They happen in the home, the market place, in secular life… “Being conformed to
Christ” is not within our powers to achieve. It is God’s gift, not our own
work.’
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