1st week after Holy Cross

MONDAY
Revelation 1:1-8
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who gives witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ by reporting what he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near. John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever (and ever). Amen. Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.”

Mark 8:34-9:1
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.”

We see in the first reading what appear to be two aspects of Jesus- cross and glory. Yet, what we know is that Christ is one and that self-gift is part of the self-identity of Christ. The cross is an expression of the glory of Jesus. It is as if one saw a CEO pick up garbage. One might ask, “How can the CEO pick up trash?” The CEO might respond, “I am CEO because I pick up trash.”

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Glory to you, Light of truth and Star of glory.
The radiance of your splendor dispels darkness from our minds and hearts.
O Lord,
grant that in praising you, we may be enlightened,
find our joy in you,
and recognize you as the giver of that light which dispels
darkness and creates morning.
O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, whom all creatures must adore, to you be glory, forever.
Amen.