“The ‘weakness’ of God’s humble love and of His wisdom is ‘stronger than men’ because it saves every human being by drawing them near without terrifying them, without constraining their natural gift of free will...this humble love of God is manifested in Christ’s self-emptying, in which the Cross holds central place.”
- The Engraving of Christ in Man’s Heart, pg 345
Reflection:
God draws us to Him through the humble love of the Holy Cross(1), so it is through this way that we grow closer to God and to our neighbor. The mindset and way of the Cross is foreign to much of our society, remaining a stumbling block(2) and seen as foolishness(3) for many.
“Our society teaches us an aggressive autonomy, a self-serving logic of our time which is a dead-end both socially and personally. Crucifixion of the mind is especially helpful today since it can heal our self-centeredness and pride.”(4) To begin to ‘crucify’ our mind is to overcome the desire to exercise authority over anyone, and instead be ready to serve others.
Do we notice that we are freely, naturally, and joyfully drawn toward someone when they help us or serve us? We are drawn toward them because we recognize Christ in their actions. This is the Orthodox Christian mindset of the Cross, Crucifixion of the heart and mind; to give of ourselves and love God and neighbor spontaneously and unconditionally as Christ did for us. St Paisios describes this mindset in his definition of Philotimo, see below.(5)
As difficult as it is to sacrifice for and unconditionally love others who treat us well, it is even more difficult to unconditionally sacrifice for and love those who are our enemies; who curse, hate, spitefully use or persecute us. Nonetheless, Christ tells us to, “Love our enemies” by blessing, doing good, and praying for them.(6)
Following Christ’s example means loving our enemies too, for “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’(7) Even when humanity mistreated Christ our God, He still died for us to save us. When we are mistreated, we are called by Christ to love them, to bless, do good, and pray for them.
Every time we sacrifice, do good, pray, and love unconditionally and spontaneously for anyone regardless of how they treat us, we are taking up our Cross, and following Him.(8) It is then that we are co-crucified with Christ(9); Christ suffered for us, He has been in our pain and suffered unjustly. When we join Him on the Cross, He helps and guides us toward the eternal joy and peace of His Kingdom while here in this life.
Resources:
4) The Hidden Man of the Heart, Pg 180
5) “The spontaneous, self-sacrificing, love shown by humble people, from whom every trace of self has been filtered out, full of gratitude towards God and neighbor. Philotimo comes from a deep, abiding connection with God, so that one is constantly moved to do and seek that which is good, right, and honorable. Out of spiritual sensitivity, such people forget all that they give, but remember even the slightest good that others do to them, and repay it 100 fold.” Explanation of Philotimo, our Orthodox Disposition of Heart
7) Romans 5
8) Luke 9:23 “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
9) Galatians 2
