The Holy Father : There is no negotiating with the cross: one either embraces it or rejects it
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1Lord1Faith
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I can’t say that I’d describe the Agony in the Garden or the Passion as an “embrace” of the cross. More like a willing, or perhaps even reluctantly willing, participant if you ask me.
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Beryllos
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Tis_Bearself
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I don’t think the Pope meant that Jesus went rushing happily to his awful death. As you noted he had some initial reluctance because he was fully human. I’m sure his mother Mary also wasn’t happy about having to see her son tortured to death even though her will was always in conformance with God’s will.
I think the Pope just meant that you have to either fully accept the cross or fully reject it. It’s like what Mother Angelica meant when she said “Holiness is not for wimps, and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it’s a requirement.”
I myself am a bit bothered by the idea that when people are truly spiritually developed they accept suffering gladly or even welcome it with joy. I just read some quote from St. John of the Cross on that and while I didn’t want to argue over it with the person who posted it elsewhere (not on this forum) because that person is getting over a very serious operation and the quote seemed to be bringing them cheer, as you mention there is a bit of a difference between willingness to accept/ trust in the Lord and being actually joyful about the chance to suffer. In actual practice, people who suffer go through a whole range of emotions, as did Jesus during his passion. If you’re dancing a happy dance about the actual suffering (as opposed to taking some comfort from the good effects or conclusion of the suffering, such as being able to save souls or bring souls to Christ or get closer to Christ yourself) then it’s no longer suffering and it’s also a bit weird.
I think the Pope just meant that you have to either fully accept the cross or fully reject it. It’s like what Mother Angelica meant when she said “Holiness is not for wimps, and the cross is not negotiable, sweetheart, it’s a requirement.”
I myself am a bit bothered by the idea that when people are truly spiritually developed they accept suffering gladly or even welcome it with joy. I just read some quote from St. John of the Cross on that and while I didn’t want to argue over it with the person who posted it elsewhere (not on this forum) because that person is getting over a very serious operation and the quote seemed to be bringing them cheer, as you mention there is a bit of a difference between willingness to accept/ trust in the Lord and being actually joyful about the chance to suffer. In actual practice, people who suffer go through a whole range of emotions, as did Jesus during his passion. If you’re dancing a happy dance about the actual suffering (as opposed to taking some comfort from the good effects or conclusion of the suffering, such as being able to save souls or bring souls to Christ or get closer to Christ yourself) then it’s no longer suffering and it’s also a bit weird.
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Beryllos
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Pope Francis said, “one either embraces it or rejects it.” In this phrasing, embrace and reject are opposites, and between them are halfway measures, compromise, or, as Pope Francis said, “negotiating.”
St. Paul uses similarly strong language in the second reading (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus “emptied himself, … humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on that reading immediately prior to the passage in question (no negotiating, embrace or reject).
St. Paul uses similarly strong language in the second reading (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus “emptied himself, … humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on that reading immediately prior to the passage in question (no negotiating, embrace or reject).
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