The Catholic Church glories in every deed of Christ. Her supreme glory, however, is the cross. Well aware of this, Paul says: “God forbid that I glory in anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!”

At Siloam, there was a sense of wonder, and rightly so.A man born blind recovered his sight. But of what importance is this, when there are so many blind people in the world? Lazarus rose from the dead, but even this only affected Lazarus. What of those countless numbers who have died because of their sins? Those five miraculous loaves fed five thousand people. Yet this is a small number compared to those all  over the world who were starved by ignorance. After eighteen years a woman was freed from the bondage of Satan. But are we not all shackled by the chains of our own sins?

For us all, however, the cross is the crown of victory! It has brought light to those blinded by ignorance. It has released those enslaved by sin. Indeed, it has redeemed the whole of humankind! Do not, then, be ashamed of the cross of Christ; rather, glory in it. Although it is a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles, the message of the cross is our salvation. Of course it is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it was not a mere human being who died for us, but the Son of God, God-made-human.

Jesus did not blush at the cross for by it he was to save the world. No, it was not a lowly human being who suffered, but God incarnate. Certainly in times of tranquility the cross should give you joy. But maintain the same faith in times of persecution. Otherwise you will be a friend of Jesus in times of peace and his enemy during war. Now you receive the forgiveness of your sins and the generous gift of grace from your king. When war comes, fight courageously for him.

Jesus never sinned; yet he was crucified for you. Will you refuse to be crucified for him, who for your sake was nailed to the cross? You are not the one who gives the favor; you have received one first.

—Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem Catechesis

Why is the cross folly to some? Because our pride bristles at the notion that we are helpless to save ourselves from God’s holy wrath. Why is the cross represent glory to others? Because we acknowledge that we are helpless to save ourselves from God’s holy wrath and thankful that God bore his wrath himself. Think on this during Lent, unless, of course, you consider yourself to know more than God. Never stop peering into the mystery of the cross. Never stop plumbing the depths of God’s great love for you or for his wondrous desire for you to live with him forever in worship, love, praise, and obedience.