(Given at the 5:30 pm Sunday youth Mass at OLP)
In Galatians, Paul says that he has been crucified with Christ, it is no longer he that lives, but Christ who lives through him. This is not specific to Paul; Romans tells us that all Christians have been crucified with Christ in baptism, and thus have Christ living within. As it were, we Christians can never escape the cross. In every one of our lives, the cross will manifest. Usually in ways we may not have chosen for ourselves. The Transfiguration in our gospel passage tonight is the revelation of the inner glory of the Crucifixion. In images of both events, you can even match up the two together like an inverse image. The Transfiguration was to buffer the blow of the Crucifixion to the disciples. To prepare them for the scandal that was going to occur. What’s being revealed to them and to us today is the inner glory of the Cross. But what makes the Cross, the Crucifixion, glorious? It’s a sign of suffering and death. What makes the Cross glorious for Jesus and for you and me is not the pain and suffering in itself; those things are awful. No, it’s the love with which these experiences are borne. What makes the Crucifixion saving is the love that was poured out on the Cross for you and me. He gave everything for you and me. As Paul says again in Galatians, Christ loved me and gave himself up for me. Love renders Christ’s sacrifice redemptive and salvific. The pain and agony do not redeem, but the love with which they are endured redeems and saves. When we bear our crosses, our burdens, whatever they may be, we are called to bear them with love. Not with resentment, not with bitterness, not with anger. But with trust and love. This applies to us adults and to our young people gathered here tonight as well. Everything from the minor cross of studying for a quiz I’m not quite prepared for to enduring a very difficult day at school. I’m called to carry my crosses with love. I remember in high school hanging around some guys who decided to lock me in a crawl space just to be funny. At the time and by God’s grace, I’m sure, I endured it as best I could with love. I prayed during the whole ordeal, and they finally let me out, not getting a rise out of me like they wanted. I interiorly forgave them, but because they were never repentant, I couldn’t complete that forgiveness to them and had to make sure never to hang around them again. We are not called to be pushovers. I made a healthy boundary, while still praying for their conversions. And I still do so today. Being in the crawl space was awful, but I kept my focus on Jesus, love himself. And I was able to endure and not give them what they wanted. Sometimes this is difficult. Sometimes I need to pray and converse with Jesus about it to let him lead me to greater endurance and patience, love and trust. And sometimes healthy boundaries. Whatever the crosses we bear are, whatever we may be going through, Jesus calls us and gives us the grace to bear them with love. Just as he bore his Cross. And in the next life, we will be able to see how he used our love for his purpose and greater glory.