Day 30
This image of the Nativity is one of my favorites! It is a beautiful painting, but what always strikes me is the crucifixion in the background. “Incarnate Wisdom loved the Cross from his infancy” (Preparation for Total Consecration, 106). Jesus’ whole life was aimed at dying and redeeming us on the cross. Jesus, even before He took on flesh, was prepared to die. Jesus loved the cross, He embraced it. St. Louis De Montfort says, “He placed [the cross] deep in his heart, there to dominate his life, saying, ‘My God and my Father, I chose this Cross when I was in your bosom. I choose it now in the womb of my Mother. I love it with all my strength and I place it deep in my heart to be my spouse and my mistress’” (Preparation for Total Consecration, 106). Jesus chose death; the cross was His instrument for this death. What deep affection He had for the cross.
If Jesus had a deep love for the cross, shouldn’t we? That is why our author has us do the resolution. “In your prayer today, ask the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, for the grace of a genuine love for the Cross” (Preparation for Total Consecration, 106). The cross leads to our salvation, so we should love it. The cross is Jesus’ way of setting us free. To love Jesus is to love the cross, Mary embraced her cross too. So shouldn’t we now take up our cross lovingly and follow Jesus?