Symbolically, the cross proves appears indicative of the experience we of black heritage, inasmuch as many of the adjectives and nouns portend our experience here in this valley of tears.

Dual meanings provide additional rationales as to why blacks choose Christianity.

In Christianity, and somewhat indicative of the mighty Mississippi and Missouri, and Ohio Rivers we had to cross to escape enslavement, Yeshua administers the living water we need cross to reach salvation.

All quotations/citations are to the Christian Bible. And the tehology is from this writer=s tradition...the European Areformists@, and their progeny have others).

Since you have Kaballah experience, we have included the metaphysical sources(by quotation), as well.

Mankind has used cross symbols from time immemorial. The Chinese, it to show one thing. The Europeans another. The Romans made it an implement of horror and cruelest torture, asphyxiation...the victim could not breath, and suffocated.

A Crucifixion was a form of capital punishment used by the Romans for offenders who were not Roman citizens@.

As it was already known as a Roman implement of horror for non- Romans, did Constantine adopt it as a horrific symbol to strike terror,(but the Christ wanted to spread it as a wider symbol of love in His locution, which it later came to be?).

Was Jesus also calling him to discipleship(as Yeshua did to St.Paul, knocking him from a horse and blinding), through the Sign of the Cross in the new connotation/denotation of ALove@? Paul indicates there was to be another meaning. 1Cor. 1 :17; 2; 1,4)

Was it being made known that Crucifixion would no longer be an implement of terror(we don=t know when the practice stopped, but we don=t hear too much of it thence forth. And perhaps, Dasah, it had been precluded even earlier.

But Pronconsul Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross???It read,@Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews. (was this to be forever a sign of future kings???) Paul says the message is the power of God

(We refer you to God calling both Persians Cyrus to do his work: and moving hearts, so that Israel could be rebuilt).

AGod calls men to serve him in spirit and in truth. Consequently they are bound to him in conscience, but not coerced. . . This fact received its fullest manifestation in Christ Jesus.'[DH 11.]

Indeed, Christ invited people to faith and conversion, but never coerced them. 'For he bore witness to the truth but refused to use force to impose it on those who spoke against it.

His kingdom... grows by the love with which Christ, lifted up on the CROSS, draws men to himself.'[DH 11; cf. Jn 18:37 ; Jn 12:32 .]"

The Christian tradition sees in this passage an announcement of the 'New Adam' who, because he 'became obedient unto death, even death on a CROSS', makes amends superabundantly for the disobedience, of Adam.[Cf. 1 Cor 15:21-22, 45 ; Phil 2:8 ; Rom 5:19-20 .]

It was death on the Cross that freed man from the death inflicted by evil. Christ conquered death, and hence, enabled salvation.(Dasah, review the Jewish, Habiru traditions of redemption (blood) to get a better picture).

"Christ's whole life is a mystery of redemption. Redemption comes to us above all through the blood of his CROSS,[Cf. Eph 1:7 ; Col 1:13-14 ; 1 Pet 1:18-19 .] but this mystery is at work throughout Christ's entire life: -already in his Incarnation through which by becoming poor he enriches us with his poverty;[Cf. 2 Cor 8:9 .]

- in his hidden life which by his submission atones for our disobedience;[Cf. Lk 2:51 .] - in his word which purifies its hearers;[Cf. Jn 15:3 .]- in his healings and exorcisms by which 'he took our infirmities and bore our diseases';[Mt 8:17 ; cf. Is 53:4 .] - and in his Resurrection by which he justifies us.[Cf. Rom 4:25 .]"

"Jesus accepted Peter's profession of faith, which acknowledged him to be the Messiah, by announcing the imminent Passion of the Son of Man.[Cf. Mt 16:16-23 .]

He unveiled the authentic content of his messianic kingship both in the transcendent identity of the Son of Man 'who came down from heaven', and in his redemptive mission as the suffering Servant: 'The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'[Jn 3:13 ; Mt 20:28 ; cf. Jn 6:62 ; Dan 7:13 ; Is 53:10-12 .]

vHence the true meaning of his kingship is revealed only when he is raised high on the CROSS.[Cf. Jn 19:19-22 ; Lk 23:39-43 .] Only after his Resurrection will Peter be able to proclaim Jesus' messianic kingship to the People of God: 'Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.'[Acts 2:36 .]"

v . "The presentation of Jesus in the temple (celelbrated today as a feast or festival day, Feb 2) shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord.[Cf. Lk 2:22-39 ; EX 13:2, 12-13.] With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior-the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition.

Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the 'light to the nations' and the 'glory of Israel', but also 'a sign that is spoken against'. The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ's perfect and unique oblation on the CROSS that will impart the salvation God had 'prepared in the presence of all peoples'.

""Throughout her life and until her last ordeal[Cf. Lk 2:35 .] when Jesus her son died on the CROSS, Mary's faith never wavered. She never ceased to believe in the fulfilment of God's word.

To us mere mortals, The Cross means : trials tribulations, temptations, oppressions, problems and situations in our lives. We as Christians are told to @Taking up your cross.

All go through such battles. Fight@ Prepare. Deny yourself. Carry your cross and follow in my Son's footsteps.

He has set the path before you. Unless you are following in His footsteps, you are not following.@ Mary says, A Live for God. Walk the passion in Love. Let me help you each step of the way. A

@ No one will be exempt from suffering if they truly desire to be with Jesus, because this is the way of the cross. However, those who persevere in their suffering will be with Him forever@.

"In suffering I will set you free. I will free you from your selfish inclinations. "Do not begrudge the Cross but embrace the Cross in love and in surrender of your will.

Then you will begin to understand the victory which I speak about in the Cross. This is the way to true happiness.

The way of the Cross is the way of Life Eternal in Me."I asked Peter: Do you love Me? I ask you: Do you love Me? Love Me through the Cross." Nancy saw visions of many saints.

Jesus said, "A saint is not a saint without the Cross. Be not children of this world. Be children of God. "Meditate on the Cross. "I did this for you. @ "Live each day in the state of preparedness, ready to give all to Me. Live every moment for Me. You do not know the hour, the time when I will call forth for your sacrifice.

Love Me as I love you. "This call goes out to all mankind, to walk the way of the cross. The cross is your way to Heaven. The cross is your victory over the evil one.@

So part of the Divine Will is to take up the cross (trials and tribulations) God gives you. (Temptations and dark nights of the soul He allows).

He will help you carry it through life. Otherwise, you will bear a larger cross of your own choosing without the help of Christ. You will find that one most burdensome. Perpetual sacrifice of the Cross, and the glory of the Resurrection in each armament of Love, the Eucharist, ALittle ones, in the mass Jesus offers Himself as a perfect sacrifice to God.

As He offers Himself, you too should offer yourself with Jesus. My Son's entire life was one act of interior and exterior sacrifice. His interior love and obedience for God the Father was portrayed by His exterior sacrifice on the cross.@

AAll of His suffering was consumed for your sins. You can make Jesus' sacrifice your own in the mass. Your interior sacrifice can be expressed by an exterior sacrifice.

An external sacrifice of obedience, submission to God's will, love and praise during the mass. Jesus' exterior sacrifice was an expression of His interior sacrifice.@

Mary had said AFocus on the truth of Jesus in Holy Eucharist and BELIEVE. Little ones, My Son's power and infinite mercy come to you unceasingly through the means of the cross and Holy Eucharist. It is through the cross My Son redeemed you, and for you it is the way to ascend to Him.

Without the cross you would not be able to ascend to the Father."It is a privilege to carry the cross and suffer for Me@

AJesus does not desire you to take on a suffering which is not intended to purify your soul or which causes fear. Jesus is merciful and loving. His kingdom is designed so that you can share in His glory.

He desires you to be consumed with His love and for you not to be afraid. A proper attitude is necessary for you to share in His cross.@

In spiritual desolation, resign yourself to whatever crosses God sends or allows. As in Proverbs, God gives you no more than you can carry. This is a time for resignation, for serving him with resolution and humility.

We are counseled, ATo be effective in prayer, we should unite that emotion with the passion and suffering of Jesus. Or you can unite your suffering to Mary, who spiritually agonized with Jesus on the cross@.

One purpose of Jesus= passion was this exposure of light into the world. This is done to chase away the enveloping darkness of sin and evil, to re-consecrate and re-sanctify the earth. Yet sin re-crucifies Jesus every day.

So the passion recurs throughout the world, through the(Christian Catholics, including Orthodox, Armenian, Ukrainian Ball) Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Eucharistic consecration in the Liturgy. AThis is how I AM in your midst, living and real with perpetual sacrifice of the cross, and the glory of the Resurrection in each Eucharist@.

Annoying or frustrating events preventing the success of.

Matt 10:38;@And whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me@. f.n. indicates AThe first mention of the cross in Matthew explicitly that of the disciple, but implicitly that of Jesus (and follow after me).

Matt 16:24(cross reference to Luke 14,27) AThen Jesus said to his disciples, AWhoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me@. f.n. A readiness to follow Jesus even to giving up one=s life for him is the condition for true discipleship.

This will be repaid by him at the final judgement. Deny himself...to deny someone is to disown him (see Matt. 10:33; 26, 34-35);and to deny oneself is to disown oneself as the center of one=s existence@. Matt 27:32; The Way of the Cross, the African Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service.

Matt 27:40;the taunt, and saying, Ayou who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself and come down from the cross@;cross reference Matt 4,6; 26:61 Matt 27:42 AHe saved others, he cannot save himself.

So he is king of Israel. Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe him. f.n. >In their mocking the members of the Sanhedrin call themselves and their people not Athe Jews@ but Israel=. Mark 8:34;(cross reference: Mt 10:38-39;16: 24-27;Lk 14,26-27)

AHe summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, AWhoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me@. f.n.@ This utterance of Jesus challenges all believers to authentic discipleship and total commitment to himself through self renunciation and acceptance of the cross of suffering, even to the sacrifice of life itself@.

Mark 15:21;(Simon againBAThey pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross...Dasah, their the African connection again, early on.

We know that Alexander and Rufus became evangelists for AThe Way@.f.n. The condemned person was constrainted to bear his own instrument of torture, at least the crossbeam. The precise naming of Simon and his sons is probably due to their being known among early Christian believers to whom Mark addressed his gospel. See also notes on Mt 27,32; Lk 23,26-32; Mark 15:30"save yourself by coming down from the cross@.

Mark 15:32 A@Let the Messiah, the King of Israel come down now from the cross thatwe may see and believe.@ Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him.(cross reference:Lk 22,2)Luke 9:23 (Conditions of discipleship): AThen he said to all,=If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me@.

(Cross reference to Mt 16,13-20;Mk 8,27-30). F.n. The word Adaily@ is a Lucan addition to a saying of Jesus, removing the saying from a context that envisioned the imminent suffering and death of the disciple of Jesus(as does the saying in Mk 8,34-35) to one that focuses on the demands of daily Christian existence.

Luke 14:27 AWhoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple@.(cross reference 9:23;Mt. 16,24; Mk 8,34).

Luke 23:26(Simon, being drafted again).,with cross reference to Mt 27,32,38;Mk 15, 21,27; Jn 19,17 f.n. An important Lucan theme throughout the gospel has been the need foir the Christian disciple to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

Here this theme comes to the fore with the story of Simon of Cyrene who takes up the cross and follows Jesus(ref. 9:23;14,27). And with the large crowd who likewise follow Jesus on the way of the cross. References again to the note on Mk 15,21) John 19:17So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.(cross reference Mt 27,32-27;Mk 15, 21-26; Lk 23,26-35) f.n.

ACarrying the cross himself; a different picture from that of the synoptics, especially Luke 23,26, where Simon of Cyrene is made to carry the cross, walking behind Jesus.

There is a polemic tendency in the gospels to place the guilt of crucirfixion on the Jewish authorities and to exonerate the Romans from blame. But John later mentions the Roman soldiers(23), and it was to these soldiers that Pilate handed Jesus over@.

John 19:19 APilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross(was this to be forever a sign of kings???

It read,@Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews@.f.n. AThe inscription differs with slghtly different words in each of the four gospels. John=s form is fullest and gives the equivalent of the Latin@ INRI Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum@ John 19:25

(Women disciplesBstanding by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother=s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary of Magdala Acts2:23 AThis man delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him@.(Cross ref.1 Thess 2,15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and the prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are adversaries to all men; )

1 Cor 1:17 A For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with the wisdom of human eloquence, so that the cross of Christ might be emptied of its meaning@(cross reference to 2:1,44 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation; that we also may be able to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith we also are exhorted by God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also by Christ doth our comfort abound. 6 Now whether we be in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and salvation: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation: or whether we be exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which worketh the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.

7 That our hope for you may be steadfast: knowing that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.

8 For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of our tribulation, which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above our strength, so that we were weary even of life. John Leary and Emmitsburg sites (the Cross) 1 Cor.1:18 AThe message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God@(cross reference 2,14/Rom 1,16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel.

For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and to the Greek. )Gala 5:11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the scandal of the cross made void.

; Gala 6:12;For as many as desire to please in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer the persecution of the cross of Christ.

Gala 6:14;But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

Eph 2:16 And might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, killing the enmities in himself.

Phlp 2:8He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.

Phlp 3:18For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping), that they are enemies of the cross of Christ;

Col1:20 And through him to reconcile all things unto himself, making peace through the blood of his cross, both as to the things that are on earth, and the things that are in heaven.

Col2:14Blotting out the handwriting of the decree that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he hath taken the same out of the way, fastening it to the cross:

Col 2:15And despoiling the principalities and powers, he hath exposed them confidently in open shew, triumphing over them in himself.

Heb 12:2Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God.

ALove is life. Life is love, the fullness of life. Love is to live and do the will of God, which is our highest action. Carry your cross, -- the temptations, the trials, and tribulation. Better, ASK HIM TO CARRY IT--HE WILL. See love, see the cross.

See God through each of your senses. He will draw you unto Him, though the soul goes beyond the senses as limited entry unto God. Seek God by praying for His will to be done@.

AMy daughter, let us talk once more about the reparation I want you to make. You ask Me how you should make reparation - with faith and perseverance. If at any moment you feel tired, or worried, or feel cold, turn your sight towards the cross, or the Tabernacle.

Each one should understand that you should live solely by My Will and by My Love. I am Love and the fruit of My Love is peace and joy ...@

AJesus who has allowed Me to be with you in this. Show your brethren the true face of Christ, the Ecce Homo. [JESUS] My face is to be represented to your brethren as that of He, Who, with His gaze fixed in the heavens, nailed on the cross implores "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".

"Christ stands at the heart of this gathering of men into the 'family of God'. By his word, through signs that manifest the reign of God, and by sending out his disciples, Jesus calls all people to come together around him.

But above all in the great Paschal mystery - his death on the CROSS and his Resurrection - he would accomplish the coming of his kingdom. 'And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.' Into this union with Christ all men are called.[Jn 12:32 ; cf. LG 3.]"

"The coming of God's kingdom means the defeat of Satan's: 'If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.'[Mt 12:26, 28 .] Jesus' exorcisms free some individuals from the domination of demons.

They anticipate Jesus' great victory over 'the ruler of this world'.[Jn 12:31 ; cf. Lk 8:26-39 .] The kingdom of God will be definitively established through Christ's CROSS: 'God reigned from the wood.'[LH, Lent, Holy Week, Evening Prayer, Hymn Vexilla Regis: Regnavit a ligno Deus.]"

Thus Jesus took and instrument of torture, and turned it into an instrument of love. Christian theology teaches God can take bad things and turn them into good results.

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