March 18
Will you not be crucified for Jesus?
esus gave up
his life not by compulsion, nor was he put to death by murderous violence,
but of his own accord. Hear what he says: I have power to lay down my
life, and I have power to take it again. He came therefore of his own
set purpose to his passion, rejoicing in his noble deed, smiling at the
crown, cheered by the salvation of humankind, not ashamed of the cross
for it was to save the world. For it was not common man who suffered, but
God in man's nature, striving for the prize of his patience.
Do not rejoice in the cross in time of peace only, but hold fast to
the same faith in time of persecution also; do not be a friend of Jesus
in time of peace and his foe in time of war. You receive now the remission
of your sins, and the gifts of the king's spiritual bounty; when war shall
come strive nobly for your king. Jesus, the sinless, was crucified for
you; and will you not be crucified for him who was crucified for you? You
are not bestowing a favor, for you have first received; but you are returning
a favor, repaying your debt to him who was crucified for you on Golgotha.
From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Tradition Day by Day: Readings from
Church Writers. Augustinian Press. Villanova, PA, 1994.
HTML text prepared by David P. Steelman
