The Fire of Christ's Love: Meditations on the Cross

by OFM CAP Cantalamessa

Overview

Why should we meditate on the cross? Because through the cross of Christ, we can begin to comprehend Gods all-consuming love for us. The short reflections in this book are taken from homilies presented by renowned evangelist Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa on Good Friday to the St. Peters Basilica over the last thirty years. Fr. Cantalamessa, who has been the preacher to the Papal Household since 1980, unfolds for us the mystery and the power of the cross. By willingly embracing the cross for our sake and then rising from the dead, Jesus has brought us salvation, healing, mercy, and the hope of eternal life. As Fr. Cantalamessa contemplates the intensity and reality of Christs love for us, he also shows us how to respond wholeheartedly with that same fire in our hearts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781593252229
Publisher:	Word Among Us Press, The
Publication date:	02/01/2013
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa was born in Italy and ordained a Franciscan Capuchin priest in 1958. He taught at the Catholic University of Milan until 1979, when he resigned his teaching position to become a full-time preacher of the gospel. In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as preacher to the Papal Household. He still serves in that capacity, preaching a weekly sermon during Advent and Lent in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI. He is a frequent speaker at international and ecumenical conferences and rallies, and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Table of Contents

Foreword 9

1 "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" 15

2 God Loves You! 17

3 A Humble and Contrite Heart 19

4 "Father, Forgive Them" 20

5 Rivers of Living Water 22

6 Putting on the Humility of Christ 24

7 Mary's Path: One of Faith, Not Vision 26

8 Mary, Blessed above All Women 28

9 "God, Be Merciful to Me a Sinner!" 30

10 Christ's Cry of Love 32

11 The Fire of Christ's Love 34

12 Jesus Christ Is My Lord 36

13 Jesus Is Lord of All 38

14 Tears of Wonder, Tears of Gratitude 39

15 God's Painful Embrace 41

16 The Real Judge Is Waiting for Us 43

17 The Wood of the Cross 45

18 No More Condemnation! 48

19 Overcoming Death 50

20 Recognizing Christ in the Poor 52

21 The One True Mystery 55

22 Victory over Satan 58

23 God Is on Our Side 60

24 The God of Love in the Person of Jesus 63

25 Long for Repentance 65

26 The Father's Debt to the Son 67

27 New Life of the Spirit 68

28 Mary's Consent 70

29 The Peak of Love 72

30 Born of Christ's Death 74

31 Trusting in the Father's Love for Us 76

32 The Last Judgment 78

33 Loving the Poor 81

34 The Devil Has Been Tied 83

35 Redeemed for Eternity 85

36 Let Every Knee Bow before Him 87

37 The Signs of Christ's Love 89

38 Justified through Faith 91

39 At the Foot of the Cross 92

40 The Holy Spirit among Us 95

41 Have the Mind of Christ 96

42 For Each of Us! 97

43 A Sword Hangs over Us 99

44 Crossing Over 102

45 God's Unbelievable Love for Us! 104

46 "It Is Accomplished" 106

47 The Cross of Love 108

48 They Believe in Love! 110

49 The Seamless Tunic and the Unity of the Church 112

50 The Cosmic Significance of the Cross 115

51 The Cross Is God's Yes to the World 117

52 The Confession of the Good Thief 119

53 The Crown of Victory Is Ours! 121

54 Reasons of the Heart 123

55 He Is Risen! 125