Crucified with Christ

6/12/2016

STEP #1: LECTIO / READ

Galatians 2:16, 19-21

Brothers and sisters:
We who know that a person is not justified by works of the law
but through faith in Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Christ Jesus
that we may be justified by faith in Christ
and not by works of the law,
because by works of the law no one will be justified.
For through the law I died to the law,
that I might live for God.
I have been crucified with Christ;
yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me;
insofar as I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God
who has loved me and given himself up for me.
I do not nullify the grace of God;
for if justification comes through the law,
then Christ died for nothing.

STEP #2: MEDITATIO / MEDITATE

As a child, I was very accident prone. From falling off playground equipment to accidentally rolling off the bed in the middle of the night, it seemed like I always had some injury or broken bone. We all have experienced some form of brokenness in our lives, whether broken bones or broken families or broken hearts, but no matter what we go through or experience in this world, nothing can compare to the joy that is coming, the joy that awaits us when we live a life with Christ.

In the second reading today, St. Paul proclaims, “I have been crucified with Christ.” I think it goes without saying that this is a very bold statement. While St. Paul had not literally been crucified, he shared in Christ’s suffering in a very real way. We all have experienced suffering of some kind, whether in the form of sickness or death, disappointment or failure, and the list goes on. It is in those moments and those hardships that Christ sees what we are going through and feels our pain. He knows what it feels like to experience pain and suffering.

We too must be crucified with Christ. It seems like a scary idea at first, and it certainly is not easy. While we probably will never be physically crucified, we can continue to unite ourselves to Christ’s suffering on the cross each day. When we endure suffering or hardships, we can bring them to Christ. The cross reminds us of how much Christ loves us, to the point of suffering and dying for us. Christ wants to be with us not only through all of our sufferings but also through all of our joys because he loves us.

St. Paul continues by saying, “Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.” Christ wants to live in us, quite literally. While obeying the law and doing good deeds is certainly important, life is not about just following a bunch of rules. It’s about a God who loves us and dwells in us every time we receive him in the Eucharist. How crazy is that?! The God of the universe wants to encounter each one of us so deeply that he lives in us and becomes one with us. He wants each one of us to experience the immense joy that comes from living a life with him.

Christ did not die for nothing. He died for me, and he died for you. He is with us through all the struggles and all the joys of this life. Christ gives us hope, the hope that no matter what we may endure in this life, if we abide in his love, we will live forever with him in heaven.

STEP #3: ORATIO / PRAY

“I have been crucified with Christ;
yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me;
insofar as I now live in the flesh,
I live by faith in the Son of God
who has loved me and given himself up for me.”

How can I encounter the Lord through suffering?

In what ways does following Christ bring joy into my life?

What can I do to help others who are experiencing suffering and brokenness? How can I bring the joy of Christ into their life?

STEP #4: CONTEMPLATIO / CONTEMPLATE

Christ, give me the strength to endure suffering and hardships

Lord, heal my brokenness and bring joy into my life

Jesus, thank you for loving me this way

FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAY...

When you go to Mass today, think about how Christ dwells in you every time you receive him in the Eucharist. Consider how you feel the Lord's presence during Mass and how he remains with you throughout your week.

CARPE VERBUM