"Abba, Father, all things are possible to you, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42

Preparation

Find a quiet space. Sit comfortably, upright. Put aside the thoughts that absorb you. The gently-in-out. Do it again. Close your eyes and remember you are in the Presence of God. Call upon the Holy Spirit to be with you as you begin speaking to God.

Introduction

The inhabitants of the city of Corinth, Greece, were a sophisticated lot. Nor did Baptism erase all the pride in the new Christians there. The Cross was a problem for them. The symbol of their new life was an instrument of death. Such a conflicting message.

The cross was a problem for them just as it is for us. But as St. Paul wrote to his new friends "the message of the cross is complete absurdity ....but for us it is the power of God... Yes, Jews demand signs, and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified-- a stumbling block to the Jews and an absurdity to Gentiles, but to those who are called...Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18ff)

The Trinity is a Mystery. The fact that God became man is a mystery. But that the earthly mission of Jesus involved his passion and death stuns us. Maybe it is because we have a sense of right and wrong, or we have experienced both rejection and pain. In any case today we set aside time to stand with Mary at the foot of the cross and meditate on this mysterious event.

Mary is aware of the frustration, fear and anger have impelled the leaders of the Jewish people to have Jesus condemned to death. His apparent lack of obedience to the talmudic law has provoked the guardians of the law. No matter all the good he accomplished. Jesus was condemned, and, carried the cross he was to die on.

day three: meditation

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