Liturgy & Devotions | Daily Meditations

I will contemplate the cross as a symbol of love

by Father Patrick Butler, LC | Source: Catholic.net

John 3:13-17

 

IntroductoryPrayer: 

Your word in the Gospel reveals to me thebeauty of the mystery of the Cross. I open myself now to you with a believingheart. Your love for humanity is so present in what you say. You give me hopethat the world can be changed by your message of love. I want to be more likeyou, a lover of the Father, a lover of my brothers and sisters to the point ofgiving my life for them.

 

Petition:

Lord, exalt the cross in my mind and my heart, that I might see itas an instrument of love.

 

1. Jesus’ Identity:

Nicodemus comes toJesus to find out who this miracle worker is. Jesus tells him that he is theSon of Man and God’s Son. He has come down from heaven and will return there.Now that he has identified himself, he has gotten Nicodemus’ attention andmine. His answer to the first question does not satisfy us because it hasbrought up several other questions. How can he claim to be the Son of God whenthere is but one God? If he is truly God’s Son, why has he come down to earth?What does he want or expect from me?

 

2. A Savior Greater Than Moses: 

Moses had,at God’s command, led Israel out of slavery in Egypt. When the people rebelledin the desert, they were punished by fiery serpents that bit them withpoisonous venom. Moses intervened on their behalf, making a bronze image of aserpent, placed on a post; those who looked at it were saved. Jesus saveshumanity from its rebellion, not by a symbol raised on a stick, but bysacrificing himself as he was raised on a cross. He saves me not from temporaldeath, but from eternal death. He is indeed a Savior greater than Moses.

 

3. The Degree of God’s Love:

How much doesthe Father love me? If we could measure love on a thermometer, God’s infinitelove would send the mercury out the end. His love is boundless. What would hewithhold from me if he has already given his son to save me? My sentiments uponcontemplating the immensity of God’s love for me should be gratitude, praiseand a reciprocating love towards him.

 

Conversation withChrist:

Lord, I am moved when I discover how muchyou love me.

You came down from heaven, becoming the Son of Man

so that I couldknow, love and imitate you. You loved

me to the extreme of offering yourself upon the cross

to save me from sin and death. I want to love you

in return to thepoint of giving my life for you.

 

Resolution: 

I will contemplate the cross as a symbol of love, making it a symbolthat says something to me whenever I see it. I will try to bear my cross todaywith love.