24/02/2025
The way of the C–R–O–S-S
By Fr Jerry Orbos, SVD
The story is told about a señora who asked her house helper if she cleaned the surface of the keyboard of her computer. Her response was: “Yes, Ma’am, I did. Not only that, it was difficult, but I also rearranged the keyboard alphabetically!”
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In today’s Gospel (Luke 6: 27-38), Jesus tells us lessons that are difficult to do. He asks us to rearrange our mindsets and values so as not to conform with those of this world. “To you who hear, I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.“ What?! In the eyes of the world, this is a sure formula for failure and stupidity.
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The Lord tells us today to take the way of humility, sacrifice, and self-denial. It is the “road less traveled,” the “long and winding” road, that leads to meaning, peace, and true joy. The world on the other hand tells us to take the road of worldly success, wealth and pleasures, the road that is “wide, smooth, and straight”—straight to hell. The Lord tells us today to take the way of the C-R-O-S-S.
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COUNTERFLOW. “But rather, love your enemies and do good to them and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High.” What?! The world says: “I get even with my enemies, I collect whatever I lent, and more, and I want my reward now. I am a child of this world!” To counterflow is difficult, and so many just “go with the flow,” and just enjoy the ride.
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RESILIENCE. “Stop judging, and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.” What?! This will not work in a world that is so exacting and calculating! The Lord calls us to be big hearted, to be understanding, and to be forgiving. He tells us to learn how to bend, and to make the circle bigger and bigger to welcome everyone.
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OVERFLOW. “Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.” What?! The Lord is not only asking us to “counterflow,” but to “overflow” as well. The world scorns us who follow Christ, calling us “tanga (stupid)” and “lugi (short-changed).” The Lord tells us to give, and keep giving while the world tells us to get and keep on getting, without end.
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SACRIFICE. “To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.” What?! Yes, the Lord tells us to take the road of sacrifice and self-denial. He asks us to give, till it hurts, to give without measure, and to give without expecting anything in return.
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SMILE. “… for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” What?! To be kind to those who are ungrateful and those who are bad to us? Yes, we can smile through it all because of our confidence that we have a loving, generous, forgiving, and merciful Father who knows it all, and sees it all. Ours is a joy, an inner joy which the world cannot give, nor take away.
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In the eyes of the world, the way of the C-R-O-S-S is the way of losers. It is not an easy way, but it is a way that is full of freedom, meaning, peace, and joy. Fellow pilgrims of hope, let us continue to take this road and invite others to join us in this road that leads to God’s heart.
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To all the givers out there, remember God is never outdone in generosity. “Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
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May God bless and prosper the work of our hands, but more so, may He increase the love in our hearts. Remember, when God increases our standard of living, may we also increase our standard of giving!
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We pray for our beloved country, the Philippines. May we all help our country, and help our people. What our country needs is more givers, and less stealers.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help us to take the way of the C-R-O-S-S, the way of sacrifice and giving. Amen.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
