“A kiss from the cross”
Mother Teresa’s image
For pain and suff’ring
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The cross is painful
Unless we lift it daily (Mat.16:24)
We’ve no hope to Rise
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Augustine says
God permits (not wills) evil
For the greater good
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The Cross: Deicide
The greatest evil ever
Opened heaven’s gates
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Suff’ring saved the world
The suff’ring of Jesus Christ
Precious Lamb of God
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“But I’m innocent!”
“Why me?” God’s Spirit answers
Forming Christ in you
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“But it hurts so much!”
Offer your pain as a gift
This gift helps save souls
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“Offer it up” always
Jesus joins it to his pain (Col.1:24)
Makes it salvific
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Accept pain like Christ
Such suff’ring is redemptive
Saves you and others
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Your water of pain
He changes to luscious wine
Wine of grace for all
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Whenever you hurt
Jesus hurts and feels each ache
You are His Body
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Each time you shed tears
Your hot tears are Jesus’ tears
You are His Body
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“Lord, Let this cup pass….
Not my will, but thine be done” (Mt.26:39)
“Wipe away [my] tears” (Rev.21:4)
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Without his Great Grace
You can’t carry ANY cross
No matter how small
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Christ, you told St. Paul:
“My grace is enough for you”
Speak those words to me!
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Then I can truly say:
“When I am weak, then I’m strong” (2Cor.12:10)
Christ, empower me! (Phil.4:13)
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With one piercing glance
At life’s end He’ll heal all wounds (Jn.5:22)
Purging sin with Love
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Purge us now we beg
Make us weep today for sins
Before it’s too late
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“Why is there sorrow?”
Satan, sin and selfishness
Christ, save me from such!
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God answers our tears
Jesus is the “tears of God” (Peter Kreeft)
The Man of Sorrows
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Seek his sweet embrace
“Save me Jesus, set me free…
“Send your Spirit now!”