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CaptFun
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mundabor.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/fulton-sheen-the-cross-and-the-christ/
HERE Fulton Sheen speaks not of a** Catholic/Protestant **difference in perception but of an Atheistic Communist/Worldly "Christian" one.
He posits that the Communism of his time offered a “cross” (self-sacrifice and dedication to the death) without Christ (an enforced Atheism); while the “Christian West” often drifted to offering an unscarred “Christ” without His cross.
He wondered who would find “Christ with His Cross …” first.
The “Christless Cross …” of the Communists. Or
The “Crossless Christ” of the self-indulgent “West”.
He is now BLESSED Fulton Sheen (on the path toward being canonized a saint of the Church).
His insight, applied to this thread’s scrutiny, would seem to point to the Crucifix being more fruitful than “just the cross”. But not just a visual aid crucifix - but rather an acceptance of Christ as He is so that we can better “take up” our own crosses and “follow” Him as HE directed.
Matt 10:38 38
and whoever does not take up his cross 15 and follow after me is not worthy of me.
In this quote, Jesus mentions FIRST a cross that is not yet a crucifix (our day to day trials which one day later DO end in our death). Then He says to follow HIM - to the crucifix where we (his body) become like Him (our Head) and are led by grace to lay down our lives for others. In love. And WITH His Holy Spirit.
Notwithstanding that we will probably not endure anything like HIS crucifixion … or even Peter’s. Yet “our cross” would seem to be something more than declaring oneself “a Christian” or answering an altar call - and then retiring from God’s service and yet expecting an eternal pension, dwelling, and garden of delights.
HERE Fulton Sheen speaks not of a** Catholic/Protestant **difference in perception but of an Atheistic Communist/Worldly "Christian" one.
He posits that the Communism of his time offered a “cross” (self-sacrifice and dedication to the death) without Christ (an enforced Atheism); while the “Christian West” often drifted to offering an unscarred “Christ” without His cross.
He wondered who would find “Christ with His Cross …” first.
The “Christless Cross …” of the Communists. Or
The “Crossless Christ” of the self-indulgent “West”.
He is now BLESSED Fulton Sheen (on the path toward being canonized a saint of the Church).
His insight, applied to this thread’s scrutiny, would seem to point to the Crucifix being more fruitful than “just the cross”. But not just a visual aid crucifix - but rather an acceptance of Christ as He is so that we can better “take up” our own crosses and “follow” Him as HE directed.
Matt 10:38 38
and whoever does not take up his cross 15 and follow after me is not worthy of me.
In this quote, Jesus mentions FIRST a cross that is not yet a crucifix (our day to day trials which one day later DO end in our death). Then He says to follow HIM - to the crucifix where we (his body) become like Him (our Head) and are led by grace to lay down our lives for others. In love. And WITH His Holy Spirit.
Notwithstanding that we will probably not endure anything like HIS crucifixion … or even Peter’s. Yet “our cross” would seem to be something more than declaring oneself “a Christian” or answering an altar call - and then retiring from God’s service and yet expecting an eternal pension, dwelling, and garden of delights.