The Way of the Cross

Below is a brief but powerful meditation inspirers by St. Andrew whose feast we celebrate today, November 30.

Father Francis Xavier Weninger, in The Livesthe Saints from 1876, writes the following reflection.

Saint Andrew manifested great joy on beholding the cross that had been prepared for him; he greeted it warmly, and embraced it lovingly. He wished not to be released from it, but prayed to be allowed to die on it.

You are not bound to a cross of wood like Saint Andrew, but the All-Wise sometimes lays a cross of suffering upon you, because He wishes to prepare you for heaven.

How do you regard your cross?

How do you carry it?

I fear to ask you how you greeted, embraced and kissed it.

Perhaps you have carried it, as Simon of Cyrene carried the Cross of the Lord, because you were forced, and could not help yourself. You have suffered only because you were obliged. You suffer murmuringly and complainingly, and perhaps even endeavor to free yourself from your cross by improper means.

Oh! how differently did Saint Andrew act. He esteemed himself happy, because he could die on the cross like his Saviour, and because he had heard, from the lips of Christ, that the way of the Cross is the surest road to eternal life.

You know all this; but you do not think seriously enough of it. In future, keep these truths before your eyes: first, the way of the Cross is the way to heaven; secondly, Christ died on the Cross for love of me.

Whoever rightly considers these two points, will in his sufferings, not give way to resentment, murmurs or complaints, but will bear them if not cheerfully, at least patiently.

Hence Saint Paul admonishes us, saying: “For, think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself, that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds.” (Hebrews 12)

Let us continue to mediate upon the life of St. Andrew throughout Advent as we pray the Christmas Novena in preparation for the Christ Child. .