The Cross

There can be no salvation with the cross.
There can be no resurrection without the crucifixion.
Christianity without the cross in not Christianity.

Yet, there are many who would take the cross out of Christianity,
preaching a blatant and selfish gospel of prosperity.
Pain and suffering have always been part and parcel of the human lot.
Man teachers have taught people how to avoid or do away with these twin demons.
Christ alone taught us to embrace and accept them as the portals to a new life.
Pain and suffering are our birth pangs to a new life – our rebirth into eternity.

In the evening of my life, I become more aware of the crosses in my life.
When I was younger, I thought I had learned how to deal with the crosses in my life.
And I did my best to also help others carry their crosses.
Now, in my old age, I would not want to be a cross to others.
But there are times, I get afraid and anxious of the crosses that are to come.
I am afraid, I will falter in the last stages and give up.
I am anxious that I will burden others, specially my loved ones, with my crosses,
which may seem petty to them.

I cling to my faith and Christ’s promise and guarantee that
in the cross, is my life and salvation.