“Moving from ‘Staurophobia’ to ‘Staurophilia!’”

(Based on Isa 1:10-17 and Mt 10:34-11:1 – Monday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen, in his writings, presents before us a mentality which is fast catching up in our world: STAUROPHOBIA

‘Staurophobia’ is ‘the fear of the Cross!’

The Cross forms part of the basic rule of Christianity

The way of a Christian, is always, the ‘way of the Cross

The Gospel of the Day is a presentation of the Message of the Cross…
… an invitation to follow the Crucified Christ
… a challenge to faithfully carry the crosses of our life.

Jesus says, “He who does not take his cross and follow me, is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10: 38)

Our Blessed Lord loves to jolt static minds and the inert understandings

He doesn’t promise cushy comforts…
… He demands Commitment to the Cross!

Those who choose Christianity as a Life Style, ought to be…

Losers of oneself
Be carriers of the Cross
And then Follow Him!

Christianity, as a Life Style, has the Cross as its Basic Rule and it demands Commitment!

But the very mention of the word “Cross”, sometimes puts people off…

“Not again the Cross”
“Enough of pain and suffering”
“We go to Church to relax and be comforted; not to hear of the Passion & Anguish of the
Suffering Jesus on the Cross; we only prefer the Glorious & Victorious Christ”
“Stop being pessimistic with Sin & Repentance… Just be optimistic with Joy & Salvation!”

These are often, the “happening” buzz phrases and popular opinions…
… even in our religious environs.

STAUROPHOBIA – the Fear of the Cross …is creeping stealthily but mightily in our lives…

We like to be saved…
… but we Fear the Cross of repentance of our Sins

We like to receive blessings…
… but we Fear the Cross of living an honest life

We like to live a peaceful life…
… but we Fear the Cross of trusting in God’s Providence

We like to be prosperous…
… but we Fear the Cross of being generous and compassionate

We like to be called good…
… but we Fear the Cross of being Faithful to the teachings of Christ

We like to have joy…
… but we Fear the Cross of giving up attachments & belong totally to God

Yes, we often, fear the Cross…

But Christ Crucified – promises His Choicest Rewards to the ones, who dare to take up the Cross…

You will find Life…
You will be rewarded…
You will find true joy and peace…
… says the Lord.

Prophet Isaiah strongly warns and reminds all of us:
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?” says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts;
… Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.
… When you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow!” (Is 1: 11, 13, 15-17)

Have we really accepted Christianity as our lifestyle?

Then Let us Embrace the Cross…

Let us drive away the Fear of the Cross

Let Staurophobia (Fear of the Cross) be wilfully banished

Let Staurophilia (Love of the Cross) be willingly accepted!

St Camillus says, “Commitment is doing what you said you would do, after the feeling you said it in, has passed”.

Let us remain committed to the Cross of Christ and celebrate Christianity with conviction!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM

The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ.
This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.
For catechumens who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.
“Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery.”
Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved.

It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity. (CCC #1258-1260)