Cross Not Optional, Says Pope Benedict XVI

(September 1, 2008) Taking up one's cross isn't an option, it's a mission all Christians are called to, says Pope Benedict XVI. He said this Sunday before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. Referring to the Gospel reading for day's Mass, the Holy Father reflected on the faith of Peter, which is shown to be "still immature and too much influenced by the 'mentality of this world.'” He explained that when Christ spoke openly about how he was to "suffer much, be killed and rise again, Peter protests, saying: 'God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.'" "It is evident that the Master and the disciple follow two opposed ways of thinking," continued the Pontiff. "Peter, according to a human logic, is convinced that God would never allow his Son to end his mission dying on the cross.”Jesus, on the contrary, knows that the Father, in his great love for men, sent him to give his life for them, and if this means the passion and the cross, it is right that such should happen." The Pope continued, "If to save us the Son of God had to suffer and die crucified, it certainly was not because of a cruel design of the heavenly Father.” The cause of it is the gravity of the sickness of which he must cure us: an evil so serious and deadly that it will require all of his blood. "But the battle is not over," said the Pope and added that there exists war, innocents victimised, misery and injustice. One responds to such evil with the unarmed love that defeats hatred, and builds life, he said. Just as with Christ, it is not 'optional' for Christians to take up the cross; it is rather a mission to be embraced out of love."