"I came to you proclaiming Jesus Christ and Him Crucified"

So often, especially in modern times we can hear many Sermons on The Fact that "Jesus Saves," but what is left out is, "Him Crucified."

Such an Omission seems to ignore the Fact that we all must Embrace The Cross, which is an Essential part of our Belief in Christ. And the fact that St John does Not say, "I preach Christ and His Cross" He specifically uses the word "Crucified" turning our attention to Christ ON The Cross.

St John knew that a cross without Christ was simply a "Symbol" of torture and death, whereas, Christ ON The Cross is not only The Definition of Love, but The Representation of our Salvation, as well as an Example to follow. For many murderers and thieves we're Crucified, and the Only way to be certain that it is His, is if He is ON it.

In The Church, We make the sign of the Cross, as a whitness to The Acceptance of our "Participation" in Our Lord's Passion and Death, through The Gift of Baptism.

St Francis of Assisi, when ordered to approach the Sultan Al-Kamil in Egypt, was made to walk upon a carpet filled with Crosses, and after looking down at the carpet, boldly walked up to the sultan, at which time, thinking that Frances was a Hypocrite, said, you walk upon the cross of your Lord Whom you adore? At which St Francis replied, "There were many thieves and murderers Crucified, those crosses belong to them."

St Francis Loved Christ Crucified, seeing in Our Lord upon the Cross, the fulfillment of The Beatitudes, after which he modeled his Community of Friars.

In the same way, I must model my own life upon my Lord Crucified, not the resurrected Christ, for we Hope in that, but rather while living in this "Valley of Tears," it is the Contemplation of our Lord Hanging upon The Cross that will give us the strength and Courage to Conquer our sin and one day come at last to The Resurrection.

God Bless You