2025-09-17 - The Cross of Obedience: Choosing God's Will Over Our Own Author: Fr. Kizito Mgbemere
The Cross of Obedience: Choosing God's Will Over Our Own*
At creation, God's command to Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge (Genesis 2:16-17) was not a burden. They obeyed it effortlessly, living in paradise (Genesis 2:8-15). Obedience brought them joy and happiness. However, after listening to the devil (Genesis 3:1-5), the commandment became a burden, and struggling to obey God's voice became a reality. Here comes the origin of suffering.
The conflicting voices of God and the devil created a crisis of decision, and the strong desire to eat the forbidden fruit became the first ever suffering humanity endured. Unfortunately, their inability to bear the burden of deciding which voice to obey led to their downfall (Genesis 3:6-7).
God's plan cannot be thwarted, and He planned a reversal. Jesus Christ came into the world to undo what Adam and Eve had destroyed (Romans 5:14-21). He bore the burden created by the conflicting voices, which Adam and Eve could not bear. This is why a repeat of the devil's temptation occurred at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, when the devil asked Him to turn stones into bread (Matthew 4:1-4). Jesus defeated him by choosing to obey God's voice.
It is pertinent to note here that what comes to us first is what could be termed, burden, challenges and suffering. Our ability to accept the burden, challenges and suffering for the love of God is what makes these burden, challenges and suffering a cross. Hence, while all Crosses are acts of suffering, not all suffering are crosses. What is exalted therefore is a cross and not suffering. Today, the Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus carried the cross, He cried out to the Father to remove it, yet He prayed for God's will to be done (Luke 22:42). The cross therefore became an act of choosing God's will over our personal will. Rev Fr Anthony Onyeocha's definition of the cross resonates deeply: "eche ozo, ozo eme", "adighi k'onye si chuo di n'uwa" (A cross is any form of suffering arising from an act of choosing God's will over our personal will).
The cross is a profession of faith and love for God, and any suffering outside of this is not a cross. Unfortunately, many of us are suffering rather than bearing a cross. When we face challenges, we must remember God's everlasting love (Psalm 136:1-3). This love will urge us to do God's will, as Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
The Israelites failed to remember God's love and faithfulness, despite His mighty acts (Exodus 14:30-31). They suffered the consequences of their disobedience (Numbers 21:4-9). We must learn from their experience and count our blessings, remembering God's good deeds (Psalm 78:7). Job's response to suffering is exemplary: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10).
The second reading highlights Christ's ultimate sacrifice and reward (Philippians 2:5-11). By carrying our crosses, we participate in Christ's redemptive journey and await our own reward (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). May we, like Mary, be crowned with glory, having carried our crosses with faith and love.
May the Lord give us the grace to experience His redemptive blessings, knowing the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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