The Scandal and Glory of the Cross On Suffering and Hope

About this sermon

“The Cross is the guardian of the universe. The Cross is the beauty of the Church.” But why do Christians speak this way about an instrument of torture and death? This homily for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross confronts the mystery of suffering directly. The Crucifixion was not beautiful because cruelty, injustice, and death suddenly became good. Evil remains evil. And yet, from the greatest injustice ever committed—the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ—God brought forth redemption. That is the scandal of the Cross. St. Paul speaks of the Cross as foolishness and a stumbling block to the world. How could good possibly come from something so cruel? Yet through Christ, the wood of the Cross becomes like the wood cast into the bitter waters of the Old Testament: “This wood can make the bitterest waters sweet.” The Cross does not pretend suffering is painless. It does something greater: it reveals that suffering, sorrow, grief, and even death do not have the final word. God can bring beauty out of tragedy. Love out of hatred. Grace out of suffering. Life out of death. Christ entered directly into the heart of sin, cruelty, hatred, and murder—and revealed the power of God precisely there. That is why Christians continue to elevate the Cross. Glory to Jesus Christ! #ExaltationOfTheCross #HolyCross #CrossOfChrist #ChristianSuffering #WhyGodAllowsSuffering #CatholicHomily #ByzantineCatholic #EasternCatholic #JesusChrist #Redemption #ChristianHope #CatholicFaith #SensusFidelium 00:00 Opening 00:26 Glory to Jesus Christ 00:29 The Cross: Guardian of the Universe 00:43 Glory of Angels & Slayer of Demons 00:57 The Decorated Cross 01:15 Looking Closely at the Cross 01:43 The Cross Is Not Pretty 01:58 An Instrument of Torture 02:10 Even a Serene Crucifix Shows Suffering 02:36 Why Do Christians Glorify the Cross? 03:04 The Great Mystery of the Cross 03:24 Why Does God Allow Suffering? 03:33 When Good People Suffer 04:11 St. John Paul II on Suffering & Evil 04:25 Evil Remains Evil 04:50 Why Does God Permit It? 05:07 Creation Has Suffered Since the Fall 05:40 Why Is the Cross Glorious? 05:47 The Absurdity of the Cross 05:58 The Cross as Scandalon 06:08 Celebrating a Wrongfully Killed Man? 06:33 Can Good Come From Senseless Killing? 06:44 The Good That Came From Calvary 07:07 Beauty From the Crucifixion 07:23 The Wood Cast Into Bitter Waters 07:45 The Cross Makes Bitter Waters Sweet 08:00 God Brings Good From Evil 08:14 A Modern Example of Tragedy and Truth 08:40 Pray for Those Who Suffer 08:51 The Scandal Becomes Hope 09:08 God Creates Beauty From Suffering 09:24 The Cross Takes Away the Serpent’s Venom 09:36 The Sting of Death Is Broken 09:50 Foolishness—or the Power of God? 10:13 Christ Entered the Heart of Evil 10:33 Why Christians Elevate the Cross 10:57 Glory to Jesus Christ 11:12 Sponsor Message For more please visit https://stabcc.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@stthomastheapostlebyzantine & say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Hope
• Suffering & Trials
• Worship
• Jesus Christ