24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel Reflection
“Triumph of the Cross”
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” John 3:16 is the most known passage in the Gospel and perhaps in the entire bible. Why not? It is really easy to memorize, and it is catchy in a sense. Yet, the follow up question is, do we really understand and live by it?
To understand is not just to know. We may believe in Jesus Christ. For this reason, we go to mass regularly and receive communion as much as possible. But participating in the mass is not enough for us to show our belief in the Son of God. We also have to participate in the cross of Jesus Christ.
We can truly say that we believe when we are able to embrace the cross. The cross represents the self-giving of Jesus that others may have eternal life. And so, we are all called to make ourselves as persons for others, as St. Peter Julian Eymard calls it - the gift of self.
May you share in the triumph of the cross by letting yourself be taken, blessed, broken and shared, the life that Jesus lived.
God bless and be a blessing
Fr. Leo Ayuyao, SSS
