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The Dynamism of the Cross - Part IV: "The Cross of Psychological Problems"
Written by The Late Hegomen Pishoy Kamel
In the final installment of this article, Fr. Pishoy discusses how meditating upon the Cross will alleviate many psychological troubles we face in today's world.
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| Our Lord saving us. |
The Cross of Psychological Troubles
The mind is a center of fear, psychological anxiety, and worrying about the future. These psychological troubles deprive us from calmness and steadiness. Psychological troubles thus cause frivolity of the thought, sight, and heart. As the Holy Bible says, "There is no peace for the wicked, says the Lord." (Isa. 48:22). To the children of God, however, our Lord Jesus gave us true peace, not as the world gives, for the heart that is full of peace can steadily reach toward God.
Have you Committed your Life to God?
Amidst the tribulations of the world, our struggle, the annoyance of others toward us, the responsibilities of life, and worrying about the future, how can you gain psychological peace?
To answer this question, we should ask ourselves why we cannot submit ourselves to God after He bought us with His Son’s Blood? Why can we not commit our lives to Him? That is why the Lord says, Your life is in My possession. I bought it with My blood. "Do not be afraid... How is it that you have such little faith? Do not care about tomorrow." Even your sins, I will wash away with My Blood.
To answer this question, we should ask ourselves why we cannot submit ourselves to God after He bought us with His Son’s Blood? Why can we not commit our lives to Him? That is why the Lord says, Your life is in My possession. I bought it with My blood. "Do not be afraid... How is it that you have such little faith? Do not care about tomorrow." Even your sins, I will wash away with My Blood.
Look at the Cross
"Into Your hands, I commit My Spirit." This was the last teaching that the Lord uttered on the Cross. The Cross was not man's doing, but rather a divine work completed by the Lord. The Cross in its outer appearance was an expression of the world's injustice; the Lord was a victim in the hands of rulers who hand hardened hearts.
But from an inner appearance, the Cross is complete joy, love, and submission to the Father for the salvation of the world. "Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame." (Heb. 12:2) "Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously." (I Pet. 2:23)
But from an inner appearance, the Cross is complete joy, love, and submission to the Father for the salvation of the world. "Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame." (Heb. 12:2) "Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously." (I Pet. 2:23)
Crucifying the Ego
"Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me." (Mark 8:34)
The dynamic motion of the Cross is an internal motion. Its first aim is to crucify the ego. The ego is the center where pleasure, thoughts, materialism, dignity, judgment, and cares of the world and worldly matters move around. The Cross is the only way to crucify the ego.
Looking at Jesus crucified removes from us the pleasure of the ego and its cares. Looking at Jesus naked on the Cross removes from us the desire for materialism. Looking at Jesus despised on the Cross removes from us our pride and judgment of others. Looking at the nails that the Lord was nailed with lifts our thoughts from the frivolity of this world to the remembrance of His heavenly laws and commandments.
The dynamic motion of the Cross is an internal motion. Its first aim is to crucify the ego. The ego is the center where pleasure, thoughts, materialism, dignity, judgment, and cares of the world and worldly matters move around. The Cross is the only way to crucify the ego.
Looking at Jesus crucified removes from us the pleasure of the ego and its cares. Looking at Jesus naked on the Cross removes from us the desire for materialism. Looking at Jesus despised on the Cross removes from us our pride and judgment of others. Looking at the nails that the Lord was nailed with lifts our thoughts from the frivolity of this world to the remembrance of His heavenly laws and commandments.
The Dynamism of the Cross in my Life
Thus, in daily experiences, at every moment, the Cross becomes the center of our dealings with God. Whoever loses his cross, loses his way to God, and whoever loses his cross in life becomes cold, lukewarm, or has no dealing with God.
The Cross, then, is my Life. On it, I crucify myself and the world. From it flows fountains of spiritual pleasure, holy sight, divine love, and pure thoughts. The Cross is the song of my triumph, and of submitting my life to the One who deserves my commitment. I see Him, and relate with Him at work, at school, in my studies, with my friends, with those who treat me badly, in my prayers, and while I sleep.
The Cross becomes my entire life.
Glory be to God forever. Amen.
The Cross, then, is my Life. On it, I crucify myself and the world. From it flows fountains of spiritual pleasure, holy sight, divine love, and pure thoughts. The Cross is the song of my triumph, and of submitting my life to the One who deserves my commitment. I see Him, and relate with Him at work, at school, in my studies, with my friends, with those who treat me badly, in my prayers, and while I sleep.
The Cross becomes my entire life.
Glory be to God forever. Amen.